October 31st Night-time…

This is the time of screeching ghosts and malevolent sprits, the time that the dead are said to rise from the grave and haunt the souls of the living. This is a truly ghastly time which all men, women and children should fear. However, the most terrifying event of all, a new horror of the 21st century, has been added into the poison that is All Hallows Eve. An event so horrifying that even the Devil himself would tremble like a small child in the wake of the oncoming onset of evil, and more than partial nudity, that comes from these hallowed halls.

This new evil is…

The Colour Police's Annual Halloween Party.

Now, you may think I'm exaggerating but when you see Francis running around with nothing but a strap-on rose covering his genitals and a perverted grin that screams 'I am desperate' you'll learn to hate this party as much as I do.

So why am I here, standing in the middle of this catastrophe waiting to happen, you ask?

Well, it's not only Halloween that we're celebrating today. Tonight we're also celebrating the retirement of one of our oldest and most important staff.

John Taylor, 71, outgoing head of field investigations at the colour police and the most outstanding one there is. He's been working here for close to 40 years and I'm not ashamed to admit he has been an idol for me ever since I met him. He helped me get onto the right path and even pulled some strings to get me into the force under his command. That was six years ago. We are so close that when John announced his retirement plans everyone already knew who he would recommend to replace him.

That's right, me, Arthur Kirkland, the new head of field operations effective tomorrow for the Colour Police. When it was announced that I was to be promoted I fought not to brag about it, and mostly succeeded, though I couldn't resist the urge with some of my colleagues who I… - how should I say this? – didn't often find myself on good terms with (a.k.a The Frog).

John, who had always been a firm, by-the-books yet light-hearted man, had loved the idea of ending his career with a bang on one of the most infamous parties of the year. And so here I stand, talking to my oldest and strongest friend, giving my support as he said his final farewell to the initiative he had been engaged with for more than half his life. John was currently red-faced, laughing long and loud at anything and everything. A fake nail went through his head and he wore a small amount of red make-up to represent patches of blood, which was now dripping haphazardly down his face due to the heat of the strobe lighting in the large press conference hall.

"So, Artie." John asked, his words slightly slurred. "How's it feel being the new 007 of the force?" John was a big fan of movies, especially those of the crime and spy persuasion with suave heroes and somewhat clique villains.

"Good." I said, giving John a small smile that was rarely seen when I wasn't in his presence.

For the party, everyone had been ordered to wear a costume, whether it is the whole hog or just a few bits of make-up and furry ears. Since I couldn't have gotten in any other way, I ended up coming in a wizard's hat, cloak and wand.

"Heh heh." John chuckled. He proceeded to lift of my pointy hat and ruffle my already messy hair. With anyone else I probably would have blown up in their face and started ranting about personal space but with John I just gave a mock sigh of irritation and took the hat back from his grasp. John was privy to certain allowances, such as calling me Artie, which no-one had yet been able to attain. "That's great," John continued, "just remember-"

"No matter what, I must do what is right by the law. I must protect my team as if they were family and always remain on the side of the just and true. I remember."

"You forgot the last one…" John said, a devious flash appearing in his eyes. I raised one of my eye-brows and tilted my head, trying to remember if there had been something else.

Ever since I had joined the Colour Police, John had repeated the same words to me over and over until eventually it had become sort of a mantra to me. I remembered the words so well that I could probably repeat them in my sleep, so it was odd to think there was something I had forgotten to mention.

When John saw that I didn't know what to say he laughed and exclaimed,

"And have god-damn fun kicking everybody's ass!"

There was a brief pause before we both started laughing.

After that, we chatted some more and soon the party started to draw to a close, the midnight hour ready to toll. Someone in the crowd of party-goers tossed John a microphone and, seeing this, everyone began to chant loudly for him to make a speech.

Eventually, he conceded, much to their delight and, standing up on the pedestal he had so often lead press-conferences from, spoke about all the good times he'd had. He talked about the time he had helped Gilbert pick up some chicks after their boyfriends had all been locked up after a drug bust. He talked about the several occasions where he'd come dangerously close to death in the field, only to be saved by some strange twist of fate or by his team. He even talked about the rather taboo-to-mention occasion when the office's local samurai, Kiku, had gotten 'completely plastered' and had started imitating Bruce Lee in the middle of a night-club.

By the end, everyone was smiling and laughing and reminiscing about their own positive experiences with John. It showed you how well known and liked John was and how much of an impact he'd had. Even those higher up the power ladder showed their respect for John's service. Finally, he rounded off with something interesting, something that I had heard rumours about but had never been set in stone.

"So, I'm sure all of you have heard about Artie being put in my sorry-ass boots." I decided to ignore the few snide comments from the crowd. "But there's also been a rumour floating about a new guy coming in. Well, here you go. Someone is being transferred from the old U.S of A to round out the group again. Now Artie," he pointed directly at me and everyone turned. I vaguely tried to hide myself by shuffling backwards slightly. John continued, smirking at my shyness. "I hope you're ready for this partner because this guy's a real cowboy".

I smiled, looking up at my hero for the past six years, and said.

"Yes, Sir."

"That's John to you now, ya hear me!"

I hesitated, then said, in a slightly more resigned tone,

"Yes John, happy retirement…"

And with that John announced a round on him, to which there was a loud cheer. I politely declined the cup offered to me and decided to stand off to the side for the rest of the event, lost in my thoughts of not just the past, but also the future. All in all the party wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be.

When I saw John walk out those doors after the party was well and truly finished, I stared at his back for a moment, thinking of everything John had done for me. Then my mind came upon something else, who would – no, could – replace John? I wondered then sighed. I guess I would just have to find out.