Hi, peeps, I've got another awesome story for you to read, and It's at the same time as my other Nightmare story, "Right Here". This story takes place in the past, before Jack even became the Pumpkin King we know and love today. But first, you need to know one thing: I DON'T OWN THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, even though I'd like to, but in order to do that, I'd have to mooch off Tim Burton and Disney, and even then they might not let me take it! So, kick back, relax and - Jack enters room with evil grin on his face Hey, Jack, what are you doing here? What are you doing with that rope? Why aren't you narrating the story? Jack flicks the lights off and there is silence for a moment, then Jack flicks the lights back on

Oh, um, sorry about that. Sugary got an unexpected assignment and couldn't narrate, so she elected me to do it for her. Unfortunately, she won't be coming back. She's all tied up at the moment.

flashback

Sugary is bound in iron chains.

Jack, so help me God you are going to PAY for this!

end flashback

Oh, don't worry, she's fine. We'll check in on her later. In the meantime, let's get this show on the road.

Now, you've probably seen TNBC before. You probably know the story. otherwise, you wouldn't be here But for every story, there's a backstory, something that happened before which set the stage for the story in question to take place. That's what this is: my back story. Fasten your seatbelt, dear reader, because this story is liable to knock you dead, assuming that you aren't already. Oh crap, i forgot. I'm talking to people in the real world who are reading this. Never mind.

It started the Halloween of 1986, a little more than seven years before what we in Halloween Town now refer to as "The Christmas Incident". I was 25 years old, just barely out of collage, and I had recently gotten my diploma in Special Effects and Set Design. I had been hired only a month ago, and I already had become rather popular with the others in my work area. And I loved the Fall. The leaves falling from the trees like so much colorful confetti, My birthday - October 31st, if you can belive that, bonfires, and, of course, Halloween. My house was always one of the most eccentirc, with axes embedded in the trees , foam gravestones, and false cobwebs all over my house, I even had a strobelight. And the best part? I set up a haunted maze every year that was the only way for Tirck-or-treaters to get to their sugary snacks. (I never went after young children, though, so don't worry about that.) I'd give out huge candy bars, homemade treats, or even those long licorice ropes, and I even dressed the part. Too bad it all had to end so soon.

But before I tell you of my own death, I should probably tell you more about my career...

Flashback

October 31st, 1986

Yeah, just one of those days.

It was the midmorning rush in Albany, New York, and a man by the name of Jack Skellington was stuck in the middle of it in his black four-door Ford with "Manic Monday" playing on the radio and adding to the irony of the morning mood. The traffic was as thick as fog, but despite all this, Jack was in a rather good mood. he munched his Krispy Kreme doughnut and sipped his coffee while waiting for the traffic to clear. He surveyed the traffic with his icy blue eyes for an opening to drive through, totally unaware that someone was watching him in jelousy.

Jonathan Herlee hated Jack. This was more than just a simple maybe, this was a fact. Jonathan was the repairman for the studio Jack worked for, but he had wanted Jack's job. Unfortunately, there had only been one opening, and Jack had gotten it, the lucky dog that he was. Jonathan drummed his chubby fingers on the steering wheel and staring at Jack's nicer car in envy with dull brown eyes. Jonathan was 40, and his hair was just beginning to thin, which made him feel insecure. He hated his junky, beat-up grey Chevorlette, he hated his terrible job, and he hated his terrible problem with gambling. Yeah, he loved it, and he always hoped his luck would take a turn for the better and allow him to win big, but unfortunately he often cheated, which had gotten him thrown out of many casinos. It was a wonder he hadn't been locked up by now. He noticed Jack driving through a slim opening and he tailgated him, following as close as he could so as to keep an eye on his old enemy as their workplce came up.

Jonathan slogged in tiredly, not even bothering to say hello to Doris the receptionist.

"Happy Halloween," she said cheerfully, giving Jonathan a small smile. She had even painted her nails for the occasion: Black and orange striped diagonally and evenly across each perfectly manicured nail. Fakes, Jonathan thought as he grabbed his grey mantainance cap off of his hanger and walked into the elevator. He punched the basement button and decended into the dark downstairs where he spent most of his day.

Jack walked in, humming a pleasent little tune to himself and adjusting his rather loud Halloween-themed tie.

"Hello, Doris," he said politely with a confident grin. "How are you?"

"Good. How's your Halloween going so far?" She typed so quickly her fingers were a blur of orange and black on the keys.

"Just fine. How's production coming on that horror film?"

"Very well. They're just finishing the last scene now. How is the trellis for "Gardens of Love" coming? They need it today, you know"

"It's well on its way. I just need to put a bit more ivy on it, and it should be done by lunch. I see you've done your nails. they're great."

"Oh, you noticed?" she said, blushing. "How astute of you."

"It compliments you - and the season - well," Jack replied. "I really must be going, now, I have to work on that trellis as well as the Romen columns for the documentary on Julies Ceaser we've been shooting in studio 5." With that, he walked off rather quickly, wanting to get away from Doris and her flirtatious nature.

He entered the work studio carefully, wondering why in the world it had been darkened. He cautiously flicked on the lights and found that nobody was there. Must be stuck in traffic, he thought, closing the door behind him.

He was suddenly startled by cries of "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!" from his fellow co-workers. Jack was surprised alright - he had nearly forgot that he was turning 26 today!

"Another year older," said Tim, Jack's close friend. Tim was nearly as thin and lanky as Jack was, and he was rather impish in nature, as if he had never grown out of being a kid. This was accented by his boyish face, covered in freckles, and his fiery red hair.

"Yeah. It's Monday again."

Tim looked stunned for a moment and counted on his fingers. "Oh crap," he said, "It's Monday?"

Laughter erupted from a large group of co-workers behind him.

"Of course," Tim said, "It's no party without a cake." Two of Jack's female co-workers rolled out a cart with a large sheet cake on it that had been decorated with black and purple frosting. "It's chocolate," Tim continued. "Your favorite."

"Thanks, man," Jack said, cutting himself a piece of cake.

Suddenly, Jonathan walked into the room, an annoyed look on his face and a ladder in his arms.

"S'cuse me," he said, sounding as if he would rather not bother being polite. "I'm s'posed to change the light up there."

Jack thoughtfully reached over to the switch for that partictualr lamp to turn it off.

"Thank you, Jack," Jonathan said, emphasising 'Jack' to indicate his great disdain for him, "But I don't need your help to change this lightbulb." He set the ladder up and began to climb.

"Jonathan?" Jack asked, concerned for his co-worker's safety, "Would you like me to steady the ladder for you?

"No, I'm fine," Jonathan snapped, climbing more ferociously. The ladder began to shake dangerously.

"Jonathan, that really doesn't look safe." Jack was certain that the ladder would fall now. He was worried that Jonathan might fall and hurt himself - or worse, hurt someone else.

"I'm fine!" Jonathan yelled. He had reached the top of the ladder, and as he said this, he grabbed the hamging lamp and gave a final stomp. The ladder suddenly slid out from underneith him, leaving him hanging by a thin cable from the lamp. Jonathan looked down in fear and shock. The floor was more than 20 feet away; a drop from that height would most certainly break his neck, if not at least most of the bones in his body.

Jack had to act fast, or else Jonathan might not survive the fall. He and Tim quickly grabbed a tarp and, with the help of his fellow co-workers, stretched it out underneith Jonathan.

"Jump!" Jack yelled up to Jonathan.

"No! Are you crazy?" Jonathan was NOT letting go of that lamp, especially if some crazy enemy of his was telling him to. Jonathan had no choice, however - his grip was beginning to slip. Soon, it had slipped all the way - and Jonathan fell into the tarp, which bounced him up and into Jack's cake.

Once the scare of Jonathan's fall had subsided, laughter took over. Jonathan could feel the cake cook on his face from his rage and embarassment.

"Jonathan, are you okay?" Jack asked.

"I'm fine, father," Jonathan replied sarchastically as he walked out of the studio.

"Jonathan," Jack said, "I'm so sorry."

But Jonathan had already left, stewing in his anger.

Little did Jack know that Jonathan was planning something. Something horrible.

End Flashback

I knever knew. How could I have? It's not my fault I'm dead now, he was just jealous. Jealousy can lead people to do crazy things. But that's another chapter. Let's go check on Sugary.

Five minutes later

Jack: Hello, Sugary. I trust that you are comfortable?

Sugary: Pfft, No! struggles

Jack: I wouldn't do that if I were you...

Sugary: suspicious Why?

Jack: points to a spider off in the corner opposite Sugary. A GIANT spider.

Sugary: Screams so loud that people in Siberia go deaf.

Jack: Oh, don't worry, I won't hurt her ... much.

Sugary: And if they review?

Jack: Then you'll be reasonably okay... if you count the possible loss of your life being okay... grins evilly

Sugary: nervous Uh, yeah, so please review! Please? DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!

Jack: laughs evilly and flicks off lights