In a world where we look upon others with disdain; we look upon ourselves with triumph and think of ourselves as deities. However, if we look upon our lowers with disgust, what do our betters think of us?
The walk to Halloween Town was a short one. I suppose it was because the walk was silent, or perhaps because Jack walked far too quickly for his pace to be slow. I recall having to pace briskly beside him to keep up, and I was breathless by the time we reached the outer gates. They were closed, as usual.
"Try not to be too conspicuous, as this is not a kind town, sir." I instructed, slipping quietly through the gates. Inside I was smiling – I was already teaching him his ways of catlike movement, and he took no notice of his improvements! I recall our conversing one day; he told me as a boy he had been most clumsy. Now he can do all sorts of things, as if his bones had been elasticized by sheer willpower alone!
"Not a kind town? I don't believe you, Miss Doll. You have already been kind as to show the way here, how can this town not be as kind as you?" he asked, the innocence of his voice ringing in my ears. I cringe now to think I yanked my hair out of the way to show the numerous cuts on my throat in the moonlight; the bruises from the strangling I had received for my stints of rebellion against the rules of my kind. Poor Jack suddenly became terrified.
"Watch yourself, boy. This is no place for people who do not look human, like you. I'm already in trouble for bringing you here, but let us press on." I looked about to find nobody was around the outskirts of town. It was late at night, but the parties here lasted until dawn. There are very murky recollections in my mind, of masquerade balls and octoroons of the 'lower' people, and the celebrations of the nobility… all before I gave up on being noble. It is those days that do not matter to me… and I guess all the days before I met Jack Skellington eventually became more or less lost on me, too.
The boy walked closer to me than he had on the way to town as I weaved through back alleys and side streets. He seemed frightened by my changing demeanor, my growing stride and swagger as the streets became rougher and more populated. The people who walked about were the strangest of the strange back then. There were werewolves, vampires, witches and demons alike. The little monster children protested as their mothers scolded them for being awake so late at night. However, after a short time, Jack began to look around himself. It was as if he was fascinated by the beings around him; as if he recognized a scene which he would have seen himself back in England and France.
Jack's first real experience of Halloween Town as it was always supposed to be was in the eatery. Unlike the 'upper' side of town, with their corsets and old lace doilies, the real Halloween Town as we affectionately named it was filled with music and laughter. The entire grotesque undead population came to the eatery to drink until they were subdued, to eat until they were bursting, and to make merriment until it felt like there was nothing worth feeling sad for.
"And now, Jack Skellington, it is time to welcome you to the safer side of Halloween Town. Our side."
"Our side?"
"We feel safer here… I also work here with my sister. So this is our side."
"Oh."
