Halloween Howls

Part Five: Blood Curdling Bands

Helga had practically plastered her hands to her ears. These music acts were terrible! Sheena had the neighborhood dogs howling with each crescendo and whoever told Harold Burman he could sing needed to go a good three rounds with Old Betsy!

Gerald Field never sounded WORSE! Passing motorists were beeping their horns and throwing garbage out their windows at the less than amateur performers. Phoebe, who was also clutching her ears in a vain effort to keep her eardrums from exploding, noticed Helga was about to snap and tell Stinky where to shove that comb and tissue of his. "Alright Stinky, thank you for auditioning. That was very…unique."

"Golly, thanks Phoebe." Stinky smiled, tucking his comb into his jean pocket, "So Helga, do I get the job?"

Helga just stared at him annoyed, "Don't call us, we'll call you." she added under her breath, "We'll call you tone-deaf, a loser, and a disgrace to barbers everywhere."

Phoebe crossed Stinky's name off her list and sighed, "Gosh Helga, I don't think we're ever going to find anyone to play for the Halloween dance. And we're running out of time and talent."

"TALENT?!" Helga scoffed, "HA! These bunch of sidewalk performer rejects wouldn't know talent if it bit em in their-"

"I get the idea Helga," Phoebe cut her off. "But the task of finding an act still remains. And we've got no one left to audition."

Helga slumped back against the brick wall. "Hmph, I told you that flyer idea was stupid."

Phoebe ran their options through her head one last time. Maybe she'd missed an alternative that would solve their problem.

Helga was steaming in the corner of the field. This city is starving for some serious talent. I mean SHEESH! I bet me and Phoebe could out perform these geeks!

Her eyes bulged a moment as the thought sank in. Why not? All we'd need to do is get some saps to help us out, some kids that everyone else liked, and then we'd be a hit!

"Eureka Phoebs! I'm a genius!!!"

"Huh?" Phoebe looked over at Helga. "What do you mean Helga? Have you discovered a solution to our problem?"

"You bet I have Phoebe and it's a good one too!" Helga was thoroughly pleased with herself and it showed.

"That's wonderful Helga, so who will we get to perform?" Phoebe asked.

"That's the beauty of the plan," Helga explained, "We're gonna do it!"

Phoebe's eyes protruded from behind her glasses, "You mean we, as in us? As in…ME TOO?!"

"Sure!" Helga slapped her friend on the back, "Just think of it Phoebe, you, me, and a couple of saps up on stage knocking the whole class dead!"

"But Helga I-"

"C'mon Phoebs! You dug that Ronnie Mathews guy and he turned out to be completely bogus, wouldn't you like to show up all the Ronnie Mathews fakers for just one night?"

"Well…" Helga had hit on a weak spot for Phoebe, "Alright Helga, I'll do it!"

"Perfect." Helga grinned, shaking her friend's hand. "Now all we need are a couple of likeable saps to help us out."

"Hmm…help us out." it didn't take Phoebe long to pick out the keywords in that sentence. "Helga! What about Arnold and Gerald?"

"Arnold and Gerald?" Helga repeated. "Hey! They did want us to come dressed as Ghostbusters! Those guys have a theme song and all! It's brilliant!"

Phoebe beamed, "I think I can convince Gerald to help us out. And Arnold's always helping people out, and now that you're his girlfriend-"

"I am NOT his girlfriend!" Helga snapped. Phoebe cringed and then noticed Helga's features soften, "Not yet anyway."

"Things change." Phoebe patted Helga softly on the shoulder, "And what better time than Halloween to cast a spell on Arnold's heart?"

"Phoebe," Helga laughed, "you oughtta write some of this stuff down."

"You mean I was a poet and didn't know it?" Phoebe giggled.

Helga rolled her eyes, "I said you were poetic Phoebs. Not a comedian."

"Sorry."

"Never mind." Helga pulled her friend out of the field and towards the costume shop. "We've got some costumes to buy."

"Following." Phoebe squeaked.

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*Yeah, I haven't posted in a while. I know, but school keeps getting in the way. Anyways, fall break will give me plenty of time to write more. Oops! Gotta go or I'll miss the next episode of Hey Arnold!*