Generation 1, Part 6

Tuesday, sunrise. The holiday of ghosts, ghouls, pumpkins and candy is approaching Bridgeport. Spooky Day! The one time of the year where it is acceptable to scare young children.

The celebrations only start on Thursday so preparations were needed. Martin had been up for the majority of the night decorating outside with anything he could buy at a budget. He had also placed down the pumpkins he harvested around the living room ready for carving in the future.

  At sunrise, he woke and made preparations for the day ahead. He wanted to start working at the correct time for once.

He washed, ate cereal and left with hours before work.

 He left almost too early; the entire building was almost deserted. So, he sat down on a bench on one of the sets and began to read a book his boss had given him. It was a guide on how to be a background extra and taught about keeping out of the way of the 'true stars' and yet still get noticed. I think they're trying to tell him something.

 Martin thought it was quite a good read, it gave him many tips for being an background extra, which he still needed to do occasionally despite his promotion to 'best boy'.

 Another man sat next to him and started reading another book. They never spoke a word to each other or even acknowledged their existence, they were so invested in their books. I give him credit for not questioning someone dressed in the light, green monstrosity he keeps wearing.

 Soon after he finished he could begin work. Filming was finally done and it was being edited for a release later on in the month, so all that was left for the crew was to shoot a few scenes that needed re-doing. Now Martin didn't have to wear his costume anymore, but he convinced them that he should wear the costume for a little longer as he liked the attention it gave him.

When he first started no-one on the film cared for him and they still don't but after he got settled in and ready to work his whole job got easier and he got the promotion to best boy. The whole crew gained a dynamic together and for his first real acting job it was pretty nice. Apparently this is what happens all the time but he'll still miss the crew. Luckily, because of his promotion, Martin won't have to audition again as his job is to travel with and help out the director in all his films.

 He paid his bills of only §56. His parents used to get bills of thousands of simoleons and it didn't even mark the bank. Back then he never had to be careful with how he spent but here everything he buys causes a problem. The spooky day decorations probably weren't the best decision considering no one lives up here.

 Before he went to bed, he made sure that at least Jack-o-lantern should be done. He carved into the side of the pumpkin using a rusted blade from one of the drawers, he used the design he always uses on Spooky Day.

 He calls it: Cruel Lenny.

 Wednesday morning, the day before Spooky Day.  Surprisingly, Martin woke up fairly early again and was just about to make another bowl of cereal when he was interrupted by a ringing sound.

 It was his old friend from Sunset Valley again, Brad Hillington. The Hillingtons and the Swicks where the two richest families there so Martin's parents only usually approved of him talking to them (even though he did sneak out and talk to others), so its no surprise that they became friends, even if it was forced.

 They greeted each other and exchanged what they had been up to, all well and good, but then Brad said "Your parents wanted me to talk to you, they said you haven't talked to them since you left."

 Apparently, they just wanted him home again and to 'stop this nonsense'
"Brad, you know what they will be like. It's better I don't."
"They're your parents. You just need to tell them that theres no way you're leaving and that you have to stay there. They'll understand!"
"You know they won't!"
"No, that's not true... well... okay maybe."

Brad paused before changing the subject again
"So... Hows Mister 'Irresistible' getting on with the ladies of Bridgeport?"
"Actually, I haven't really been doing that here?"
"What?!" Brad was shocked, Back at Sunset Valley Martin used to sneak out all the time and win over women. Nothing serious ever happened because his folks always stopped it. While talking about this Brad mentioned Mag, Martin's ex-fiancee and Brad's sister. While Mag's family were much more understanding with Brad and her, but they still didn't like most of her dates. When they had a little fling both the families where very supportive, too supportive. It didn't take long before they were ready to marry, and neither of them really realised. Brad was extremely fine with this as he was madly in love with her but Mag, not so much. She was extremely uncomfortable in the situation and didn't even know if Martin was the one she wanted to spend her life with so she did the sensible thing and... left a week before the wedding day leaving nothing but a note. Martin was heartbroken and blamed it all on his parents, and added it to the long list of reasons he hates them.
 Brad quickly ended the conversation by saying:
"Mm. You definitely need to get yourself out more. While you're still young and... well not attractive but more attractive then you will be!"
"Screw You Brad!"
"Seeya Mart!"
*Click* "Why'd he have to bring up Mag?" He sighed under his breath before looking at the time, it was nearly time for work.

 He rushed on taxi, then train, then taxi until he once again made it to the studio. Not as late as he expected.

 On one of the other sets scenes got a little messy and Martin was asked if he could stay late and help clean (as the studio didn't hire cleaners anymore), he said yes as he needed the extra cash, like the studio itself. Plumbob Pictures definitely needed more money, they didn't have a big hit in years and with big hits being more expensive to make, most likely the company will be dead in a couple of years.

 An extra wad of cash isn't the only thing he left with that day, they offered him a promotion to "key grip", someone who helps get everything into focus for the director. Of course, he accepted, he needed to get onto a nice steady pay and luckily they were helping out.

 The taxi dropped him off at the end of the road and Martin walked down the street and he noticed something he hadn't before.

 Construction had started on a small, picnic area, apparently for people walking up the 'mountain', a rest stop. Martin wasn't too pleased with seeing this as the construction would most definitely be loud and the amount of people outside his house would be raised (From an average of no-one to possibly someone).

 "Is this some kind of joke!" He shouted to himself, looking at the witch gnome that had been placed here. He thought it must have been one of the construction workers as a Spooky Day prank, just one of the many reasons he didn't want people near his house.

 Angrily and without thought, He kicked the gnome and shouted "Son of a bitch!". He then sat down on the floor and said to himself "Look at you Mart, getting angry over a Garden Gnome!" The stress was getting to him. All day he had been worrying about whether he should ring them and he knew he must phone them at least once after moving. He picked up the phone and rang the contact "Home".

 His Mum picked up the phone, she was always slightly nicer than Dad, but still strict.
"Hi Mum!"
"*Gasp* Hi Martin, oh its so nice to hear from you!"
"Mum, Before we talk about anything, I'm sorry but... I need to stay here, I'm not going back there."
"But Mart, we would look after you! and you'd be entitled to all the funds from the company?"
"..."
"Not even that! You really want this don't you? Okay... I guess you had to leave sometime!"

 She went silent for a moment, then managed to change the subject
"Brad showed us the trailer for that movie you're in. How exciting"
"He Did!" Martin said, both worried and excited,
"Yeah! Look at you! My little boy in the movies!"
Then a deep voice came from the background, the voice Martin really dreaded, his father.
"Is that... Martin on the phone"
"Yes, he's calling from Bridgeport" Mum replied
"Put Me on!" he demanded. He sounded like he meant business, and like he was chewing something.

 "So" He Started "When you coming home?"
"Dad, I'm staying here."
"You're staying there. Ha!  Look son, you're making a fool out of us and yourself! Prancing around dressed up like a green freak! That's not a job, that's play time at kindergarten! I thought I taught you better than that!" He said
"It's better than what you do!"
"What I do is business! What I did and still do is provide for the family and make a proper living.  I've been doing it all my life. I payed for your childhood with that money and this is how you repay me!"
"All you do is sell cheap guff to gullible people!"
"..."
"Yeah! That's my job Martin, what's yours?"
"..."

 "Goodbye Martin"
"Goodbye Stan"
"Good you said that, because... YOU'RE NOT MY FUCKING SON ANYMO..." *Click*
That's the last time he'll speak to them.

 His dad had done it, Martin felt like a tool. He was so disappointed with himself he completely missed the gnome that had gotten inside all by itself.

 He needed to take his mind off things, so he got to work carving the second pumpkin

 The newspaper he was using had a cat picture of a cat on it, so that inspired his design.

 Martin presents, Mr. Spooky Whiskers!

The TV was still not wired up so he went into the entrance to get today's paper. He soon spotted the witch and took a step back. "This Again! Who the hells doing this?"

 He opened the front door and threw out the Gnome, but missed the part where it made itself upright and started levitating. He closed the door and shouted to anyone in the area "This is just getting really creepy now! Stop It!"

 He locked all the doors and windows and checked every little area before making his way back inside.

 Yet again, nothing interesting.

Spooky Day had arrived. As the day began his phone started to ring, luckily it wasn't Brad or his parents, but his co-worker, Devin Ashton. He wanted Martin to come to his Spooky Day costume party. He wasn't doing anything else, so he accepted.

 He climbed out of bed and got changed into his costume for the final time.

 In hindsight, he probably didn't need to wear it as he picked out a different costume but atleast it was pretty comfy for watching TV and eating cereal, if nothing else.

 At 1, he headed out to Devin's apartment in the big city.

 This was more of a location for Martin, in the middle of the city and close to everything. But the closeness and size was far more expensive than Martin's house so his place had to do.

 Martin went as a hot dog because while in the costume shop he could imagine that everyone else there would be generic monsters and that it would be quite different and probably quite entertaining

 He saw Deven in the lobby who apparently had a little accident.

 He was crying out in shame and it made Martin happy to see he wasn't the only one who did, though it is rather strange that to grown men wet themselves.

 He hadn't been in an elevator since he moved from Sunset Valley, which was surprising as Bridgeport has many more elevators.

 Martin adjusted his goggles and made his way over to the green door.

 The door flung open nearly hitting Martin and revealed a woman. The same woman from outside the diner a few days ago, that's someone he didn't expect to see. What was as important to him was the fact she was also in a hotdog suit, well, Soy Dog suit, but they are very similar.

 Then came a man dressed as a cow plant, Martin didn't know who he was but knew he was somewhat famous.

 Then another man came down who was even more famous but he couldn't for the life of him remember who he was.

 They all stood waiting for the elevator and the woman soiled herself (Martin swears there's some sort of 'Bladder Bug' Going around), not the best party he's ever been to.

 Martin got home with another taxi, the driver looked at him funny before realising it was just a strange spooky day costume.

 Martin sat down and watched TV for a couple hours, he finally managed to hide the wires under the carpet.

 No trick or treaters came that day, which is good as he prepared no candy that evening.

 The show, Celebrity RollerCoaster, was absolute garbage but he kept watching it as nothing else was on.

 But then, out of the corner of his eye, Martin saw a mask on the side counter. He knew he recognized the mask but yet he'd never actually seen it, somehow.

He watched, stunned as the mask floated over to Mr. Spooky Whiskers...

 ...and possessed him? Martin couldn't believe it.

Martin came to the conclusion that his eyes couldn't be seen by the goggles so the 'spirit' mustn't have known he saw. Martin, trying to hide the fact he was scared out his mind, stood up and decided to act.

Bravely, he asked "Are you the one that's been moving the Gnome?"
Surprisingly, it replied "No, but I am, erm... oh... The Spooky Day spirit! and I've been watching you for a while now, you just haven't noticed. WooOOoo!" It howled almost sarcastic noises.
Martin could think of nothing else to do, he brought it outside.

 It pleaded "No, I was kidding. Martin please I'm actually your..."
*Crunch*

 Martin kicked in the back of the pumpkin and it was crushed by the weight of him pressing down on his feet.

 He kept kicking until the 'spirit' was long gone...

 "Goodnight Mr. Spooky Whiskers!"

 He brushed off his hands while saying "What the hell just happened?" before staring at the orange mess in shock.

 Finally, he sighed and walked off stating "I think I need a drink!"

(Fun Fact: The mask is actually a secret that's been moving around in the background since Part 4, but like Martin, you just didn't notice or maybe you just didn't care, I'd accept either one.)