That Simple Act
Screams split the air, and darkness crept forward as the pumpkin-sun set over the dark and gloomy hills. The buildings cast shadows lingered over the inhabitants, as the center of Halloween Town came alive with the dying of the day. Cloth banners celebrating the Day of the Dead fluttered in the dead wind, as the town converged, preparing for their yearly holiday to come. It was merely a week away, and everyone was busy. Softly glowing lamps lit the scene, giving everything an eerie green tone, as the giant statue poured green water into the fountain in the middle of the courtyard. The vampires conferred in a dark corner, Transylvanian accented voices drifting on the air as they argued. The mayor supervised everything, shouting encouragement to every group as they set the necessary decorations and setting. The miniscule mice scurried about the square, eating the crumbs of food that were dropped as the witches created their yearly feast, along with the lake creature. The smaller of the monsters helped with the decorations and preparations, little mummy's opening crates of glowing orange lights, and winged humanoid creatures setting up deadly lollypops with grotesque faces painted on them at every corner. The Grim Reaper hovered above the ground, next to a murdered farmer with an axe in his head, creating jack o' lanterns out of the various sized pumpkins. One pumpkin was dealt a brutal sweep from the Reaper's scythe, and was a gaping, grinning head before the pumpkin knew it. The clown wheeled nearby, laughing horribly and cackling as he tried to memorize his lines for the celebration.
Into the midst of all this activity, Jack Skellington stood with a pensive expression on his face, visualizing the evening's activities in his skull. He waved a hand vaguely at the corner of one town, and immediately, a large tree with skeleton's mournfully dangling from the branches planted several torches into a space between two cobblestones. The skeleton grinned and nodded, walking over to place a hand on the dark brown bark of the tree. "Very good! We'll have this place lighted and ready for this year's Halloween." The tree nodded, and the skeletons looked around the square, eyes gaping and mouth's ajar, smiling in anticipation for the ghostly night. The place was so full of activity and enthusiasm that the Pumpkin King did not notice the entrance of the Doctor into the preparations. He scowled, watching everyone prepare for this year's activities. He moved his wheelchair over to the tall, bony skeleton, and watched with a thoughtful look on his face as he envisioned what the skeleton was planning for this year, a calculating expression on his face. The paleness of the Doctor Finklestein's skin was illuminated by the green lamplight, as he watched through darkened goggles.
"Doctor!" said the skeleton happily; turning to find the wheel chair bound creator at his back. The tuxedo-clad King gesticulated around the square impressively, asking the Doctor's approval. "How about it? Do you like our decorations for this year?"
"Very impressive." The Doctor said, glancing about, as activity paused, and then continued on it's own. The skeleton glanced at the Doctor's pensive face and wondered silently, but put that behind him, and turned towards where the werewolf was wrapping thorns and briars around the lampposts. The clown cackled harshly, and honked his irritating horn. The werewolf growled warningly, and raked his claws at him in annoyance. The Doctor chuckled, and turned on his wheel chair. "If you desire anything for your Holiday preparations, do not hesitate to let me know Jack." The creator said in his customary drawl, and wheeled away, heading back to his observatory on the top of a hill, the building solid in construction as a large ball on a cylinder-like support. He hesitated before opening the large doors, and wheeling up the great staircase that hugged the outer wall. When he reached the summit, he scowled once more and went to a large door bound by an iron old-fashioned lock. It was exceedingly heavy, but the Doctor had installed a mechanism to lift it for him, his muscle non-existent. To the Doctor, intelligence and craft was more important than strength and muscle.
The large door was unlocked, and the Doctor went in slowly. His newest creation lay sleeping on a bed, covers raggedly pieced together, fitting for the creation's appearance. A humanoid girl, with beautiful long hair, a russet red that was neither tangled nor mussed. Her clothing was a ragged, pieced together dress that ended in frayed patches of cloth, consisting of varying and inconsistent patterns. Her eyes were closed and peaceful, her long lashes resting on her face. Her breathing was slow and regular. The Doctor smiled. Finally, a creation that was ghoulish yet beautiful. He had labored long on her, hoping that he was doing right when he applied the stitches, and the outcome was well worth it. He had not allowed her outside yet; knowing that such a creature would be attractive to many of the male creatures here. Certainly the devil, he was a party-animal, and was always sniffing out either a witch or other. The Doctor backed out slowly and sighed, closing the door quietly, and going into his lab. He had created the rag doll to keep him company, and to cook for him. In other words, as a housekeeper, and companion. He had already managed to teach her right from wrong, and she seemed highly intelligent, and insightful. She also seemed to be especially skilled at herbs and potions. He studied some specimens for a bit, until he grew tired, and drifted to sleep in his lab.
Later that night, the light-footed Sally drifted into the laboratory, and placed a patchwork blanket over Doctor's shoulders as he snored. She smiled tenderly at him, and then crept silently back to her own room, to stare out of the barred window at everything being worked on below in Halloween Town. She fell asleep again; listening to ghoulish songs that drifted up to the open window as the inhabitants of the Town worked into the night.
The gloomy forecast of fog and wet mist drifted through Halloween Town the next morning. Light could barely shine through, making the atmosphere truly ghastly, something that everyone in the town loved. Most creatures slept in their beds late, having worked hard the night before. Sally, newly created and curious about the world around her, had snuck out while the Doctor slumbered, sneaking silently and quickly out of the town, and down the winding path to the grave-yard, vast and choked with gray mist and shadows. She went to the large tree, with its one twisted and gnarled branch, and smiled slightly, pale face happy at the new sight. She sat silently behind a large tombstone, and looked at her arms silently, before straightening her dress, adjusting to her position on the ground.
To her surprise, she heard the gates open. Moving quickly, she hid quietly behind the tombstone, watching as a very tall and thin skeleton walked in on her private sitting, unknowing walking right for her. He walked slowly and smoothly up the tree, and stood silent and erect, staring at the low mist as it sailed by in it's own serenity. Sally felt a curious emotion that she was hiding and watching the Pumpkin King she had heard about, when she stayed up late and heard someone crying for his help on something. She silently watched the silent skeleton in his regal clothes, content to stare at him. Suddenly, a white hazy mist obscured her vision, and she looked around in the fog for what was obscuring her view. She stared in surprised shock as she saw she was staring at a ghost-dog that floated above the ground, and stared at her in perplexity. The jack o' lantern on the end of his nose glowed brilliantly, and she shielded her face from the harsh light, being used to the gloomy darkness the morning had deepened into.
"Zero? What've you got there?" the skeleton said, in a light tenor voice, not very deep, but with a chuckle in his throat. He leaped down, reaching his knees up, and then landing flexibly o his agile feet. He walked over, and crouched down so that he was eye level with the sitting Sally. The ghost dog barked excitedly, and flew in circles around the rag-doll. The skeleton grinned good-naturedly, and then turned gently to Sally.
"And who might you be?" he asked her, staring at her in mild confusion. "I don't think I've seen you around before."
Sally was initially terrified of this stranger, but he seemed so gentle, that she smiled a bit, and stared at this new person to see.
"My name is Sally. You're Jack, the Pumpkin King." She said, as a comment, but not a question. Jack lowered himself, and sat on the dry grass with her, staring through the lessening mist at the creature he saw before him. "I didn't know I was so well-known." He said, smiling a bit. Sally blushed slightly, and nodded. She turned to him impulsively. "I hear your name when I stay up late, as everyone finishes for Halloween." Jack stared at her in silence for a moment, then nodded.
"So, you're the Doctor's newest creation?" he asked, although he knew the answer.
"Yes." She confirmed in her soft voice.
They sat in silence, gazing together at the encouraging silent graveyard, immense and yet, small for the two. Finally, Jack's name rang out from somewhere. Jack looked mildly puzzled and stood slowly. He helped Sally up, and then turned in direction of town, trying to stare through this fog. He turned back to Sally, who was trying to discern who's face belonged to the voice, and smiled at her.
"It's the mayor." He explained. "I have to go now. It was nice meeting you Sally." He shook her hand, and left quietly, a pleasant smile on his skull. Sally stared after him for quite a long time before sneaking home.
The days passed quickly, as the creatures from nightmares worked hand in claw to create their finest Halloween yet. Jack was forever busy with supervision and his work, but somehow he often thought of the shy, quiet girl he had talked to in his favorite morning spot. None seemed to notice his thoughts however, something that he was privately thankful. He didn't see the girl again though; she seemed to have disappeared into the mist he had left her behind.
The Doctor hadn't noticed her morning walk; though he did notice that she seemed happier than she had been before. He never offered to take her outside though, he only asked if she would make food for him as he worked. She learned bit by bit how to work and clean, and how to fix herself after an incident with a wayward fork. She learned she could also take something, such as an arm or leg off, and she would feel no pain. She was surprised to discover that she was stuffed with leaves, and that the Doctor did not want her to leave the premises of the observatory. Whenever she asked why, her guardian was elusive. So Sally didn't push anything, seemingly content to do her chores around the lab, and to listen and watch as preparations were made for the next day, Halloween. All Hallows Eve was promising to be busy, and Sally was allowed to take a walk in the graveyard, deserted for the town square. She was sent to pick some herbs, and so she did. She had been reading up on the properties of several plants, and had found some interesting ones. So as she walked through the dead scene, she picked Witch's Hazel, Deadly Nightshade, and Monkshood. The Doctor never questioned what she had brought home, only wondered about the Deadly Nightshade.
As preparations and activity dwindled down, the inhabitants of Halloween Town settled in for sleep for the next day of frolicking and scares. The Doctor had asked for soup for his dinner, and Sally wanted to participate in the events tomorrow. So, although she felt guilty about it, she prepared to make soup filled with Deadly Nightshade, in two doses, which, according to her book, would make the Doctor sleep for a day. Plenty of time for her to watch Jack and the others put on their show. She smiled slightly, and went about the kitchen, preparing. When she had disguised the taste of the sleep herb, she readied the soup in a bowl, and brought it up to the Doctor, busy as ever, and still working on his latest scientific research. He swallowed it expectantly, never noticing the slightly dull flavor until he was asleep. It never occurred to him that obedient Sally would poison him.
As soon as Doctor Finklestein was snoring on his table, and Sally had placed a blanket over his shoulders, she slipped into her own bed to await tomorrow.
It came sooner than she expected, as she awoke to a sleepy morning. The green murkiness of the fountain cast a light glow around those closest to the water. The lamps shone, the torch's cast an orange light, and the day was darkening horrifically. Just like the citizens of Halloween town liked it. The stars began to appear after dusk, and Sally, who couldn't wait any longer, walked quietly out of the overlook, and made her way down, walking through the town shyly. For many, it was the first time any had seen her. The devil eyed her craftily, and the clown was wheeling excitedly about. She spotted the clumsy mayor falling over himself to prepare something himself, and she smiled. Screams and cheers, yells and cries were all loud, and some broke into song. Tension seemed to be high though, so the rag doll moved silently on, nodding her head shyly to others that waved to her.
No one in Halloween town had ever seen anything like the rag doll; she combined beauty, mystery and grace, not to mention the customary freakish Halloween touch. Oblivious to everyone's amusement, or curiosity at her, she walked calmly towards the graveyard, abandoned as usual. Skeleton Jack had noticed her progress through the town, and where she had gone, but what no one noticed was a convergence of some of the more rowdy citizens who had had too much spiked pumpkin juice. The vermilion devil, the clown with the tear-away-face, and the werewolf all followed the Sally-doll, after no one was watching the trio. Jack was busy, locating all of the many groups into their proper places, though he vowed to get away as soon as possible to talk to Sally.
The redhead sat in her usual place, where none from the gate could see her, and watched as the full moon rose over the tree. She played with her long locks silently, and leaned her head against the coldness of the tombstone.
"What a night, eh?" growled the werewolf, sticking his head over the tombstone to watch her crimson head turn in surprise. Though she had no need to fear him. After all, this was Halloween Town. Jack would make sure no one was wicked to her. She smiled slightly, and agreed in a soft voice. The were wolf grinned, his torn flannel shirt a bright yellow, with orange stripes in a plaid design, his fur a dark, shaggy brown. The devil leaped ontop of the tombstone, and stood, leaning over to the girl. She turned slightly, as the devil grinned suggestively. It was then that Sally noticed the slight smell of pumpkin juice that pervaded the area. She started to back away slowly, but was stopped short by the clown.
"It's time to party." Slurred the devil, who leaped off the headstone, his bulging eyes leering. Sally's face was a mask of horrified disbelief. The clown chuckled evilly, his eyes narrowed, and his unicycle abandoned on the path. It was silent through out the graveyard, but the distant yells from Halloween Town were slightly ironic. The werewolf stepped closer, growling in a menacing way, as the furred man-like beast made his way towards the frightened girl.
"You're the prettiest thing the Doctor's created." He growled in his harsh voice, as he grabbed her arm, and brought her flinching face close to his. "At least this time he knows what to make in a girl." He said, leering at her immodestly. Her shy face blushed, and she put a hand out to protect herself from his closeness. Sally slapped the werewolf as his clawed hands tried to roam. Enraged, he grabbed her other hand, and threw her at the clown, who held her arms against his obese body. He was still laughing maniacally, scaring Sally to no end as the devil wagged his forked tail. The clown seemed to enjoy it as her body was shoved against his, and she struggled vainly against his strong grip. The devil snickered slowly, and collapsed on the ground, comatose from the drink. The clown chuckled drunkenly, and the werewolf harshly stared at the creation, and her hair became tangled from being in the clutches of the clown. She struggled again as the werewolf advanced on her, and then let out a plaintive scream for help.
Jack had already finished his work, but had been held-back for looking for Sally by minute details that seemed to need his attention, and his attention alone. Finally, he stood in the square, and no one seemed to need his assistance. Then he stopped. He could hear someone yelling in the distance, and unlike the screams of joy and excitement, this one was full of fear and helpless terror. Jack had only heard Sally's voice once in his lifetime, but he knew it now, and raced toward the gate, promising the citizens he would be back quite soon.
After he had reassured them, he ran as quickly as he could to the seemingly deserted graveyard, his bone legs moving smoothly and elegantly as he ran as fast as his feet could carry him. When he came upon Sally, he was horrified and enraged. He quickly grabbed the drunken werewolf. Seeing his intoxicated state, he looked away, repulsed. But he dropped the human-beast and pulled Sally out of the Clown's hold, toppling him at the same time. Jack looked in disgust at the three, for he had seen the prostate form of the devil on the ground. He led Sally away, and kneeled in front of her, wanting to make sure she was all right. Her dress had ripped along a seam in the front, and she was crying silently, and besides a few bruises on her face, Jack thought she would be fine. The skeleton opened his arms, and Sally leaned into them, now crying noisily, as her red hair surrounded the skeleton's skull. He hugged her gently, comforting her in a soft voice, before standing up, and brushing a tear away from her face. That simple act made Sally look at him with admiration, and newfound love, something Jack couldn't yet see.
"Are you all right?" he asked, still worried of her welfare. Sally looked at him with her big eyes and nodded quietly, before the two walked quietly, and in Sally's case, unsteadily, back to the festivities. Jack supported her slight frame, and smiled gently to her when they reached the gate back. Sally watched the festivities that night, but she had only eyes for Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.
Continued in the stop-motion feature
Tim Burton's
The Nightmare Before Christmas
By: Oppressed
Title: That Simple Act
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I only own the DVD and a tee shirt, I no way do I own Any of the characters or the setting of this story. I merely own the plot.
Hello! This is the authoress. Because I liked the movie when I saw it, and I had a little free time Saturday, I churned this out, for your viewing enjoyment, with no monetary values involved, only the joy that comes from reviews. Because I'm still an aspiring writer, and trying to sort out my own style, I would tremendously appreciate any and all feedback you lovely readers can give me. Thank you for reading this, and I hope you'll leave a comment.
Screams split the air, and darkness crept forward as the pumpkin-sun set over the dark and gloomy hills. The buildings cast shadows lingered over the inhabitants, as the center of Halloween Town came alive with the dying of the day. Cloth banners celebrating the Day of the Dead fluttered in the dead wind, as the town converged, preparing for their yearly holiday to come. It was merely a week away, and everyone was busy. Softly glowing lamps lit the scene, giving everything an eerie green tone, as the giant statue poured green water into the fountain in the middle of the courtyard. The vampires conferred in a dark corner, Transylvanian accented voices drifting on the air as they argued. The mayor supervised everything, shouting encouragement to every group as they set the necessary decorations and setting. The miniscule mice scurried about the square, eating the crumbs of food that were dropped as the witches created their yearly feast, along with the lake creature. The smaller of the monsters helped with the decorations and preparations, little mummy's opening crates of glowing orange lights, and winged humanoid creatures setting up deadly lollypops with grotesque faces painted on them at every corner. The Grim Reaper hovered above the ground, next to a murdered farmer with an axe in his head, creating jack o' lanterns out of the various sized pumpkins. One pumpkin was dealt a brutal sweep from the Reaper's scythe, and was a gaping, grinning head before the pumpkin knew it. The clown wheeled nearby, laughing horribly and cackling as he tried to memorize his lines for the celebration.
Into the midst of all this activity, Jack Skellington stood with a pensive expression on his face, visualizing the evening's activities in his skull. He waved a hand vaguely at the corner of one town, and immediately, a large tree with skeleton's mournfully dangling from the branches planted several torches into a space between two cobblestones. The skeleton grinned and nodded, walking over to place a hand on the dark brown bark of the tree. "Very good! We'll have this place lighted and ready for this year's Halloween." The tree nodded, and the skeletons looked around the square, eyes gaping and mouth's ajar, smiling in anticipation for the ghostly night. The place was so full of activity and enthusiasm that the Pumpkin King did not notice the entrance of the Doctor into the preparations. He scowled, watching everyone prepare for this year's activities. He moved his wheelchair over to the tall, bony skeleton, and watched with a thoughtful look on his face as he envisioned what the skeleton was planning for this year, a calculating expression on his face. The paleness of the Doctor Finklestein's skin was illuminated by the green lamplight, as he watched through darkened goggles.
"Doctor!" said the skeleton happily; turning to find the wheel chair bound creator at his back. The tuxedo-clad King gesticulated around the square impressively, asking the Doctor's approval. "How about it? Do you like our decorations for this year?"
"Very impressive." The Doctor said, glancing about, as activity paused, and then continued on it's own. The skeleton glanced at the Doctor's pensive face and wondered silently, but put that behind him, and turned towards where the werewolf was wrapping thorns and briars around the lampposts. The clown cackled harshly, and honked his irritating horn. The werewolf growled warningly, and raked his claws at him in annoyance. The Doctor chuckled, and turned on his wheel chair. "If you desire anything for your Holiday preparations, do not hesitate to let me know Jack." The creator said in his customary drawl, and wheeled away, heading back to his observatory on the top of a hill, the building solid in construction as a large ball on a cylinder-like support. He hesitated before opening the large doors, and wheeling up the great staircase that hugged the outer wall. When he reached the summit, he scowled once more and went to a large door bound by an iron old-fashioned lock. It was exceedingly heavy, but the Doctor had installed a mechanism to lift it for him, his muscle non-existent. To the Doctor, intelligence and craft was more important than strength and muscle.
The large door was unlocked, and the Doctor went in slowly. His newest creation lay sleeping on a bed, covers raggedly pieced together, fitting for the creation's appearance. A humanoid girl, with beautiful long hair, a russet red that was neither tangled nor mussed. Her clothing was a ragged, pieced together dress that ended in frayed patches of cloth, consisting of varying and inconsistent patterns. Her eyes were closed and peaceful, her long lashes resting on her face. Her breathing was slow and regular. The Doctor smiled. Finally, a creation that was ghoulish yet beautiful. He had labored long on her, hoping that he was doing right when he applied the stitches, and the outcome was well worth it. He had not allowed her outside yet; knowing that such a creature would be attractive to many of the male creatures here. Certainly the devil, he was a party-animal, and was always sniffing out either a witch or other. The Doctor backed out slowly and sighed, closing the door quietly, and going into his lab. He had created the rag doll to keep him company, and to cook for him. In other words, as a housekeeper, and companion. He had already managed to teach her right from wrong, and she seemed highly intelligent, and insightful. She also seemed to be especially skilled at herbs and potions. He studied some specimens for a bit, until he grew tired, and drifted to sleep in his lab.
Later that night, the light-footed Sally drifted into the laboratory, and placed a patchwork blanket over Doctor's shoulders as he snored. She smiled tenderly at him, and then crept silently back to her own room, to stare out of the barred window at everything being worked on below in Halloween Town. She fell asleep again; listening to ghoulish songs that drifted up to the open window as the inhabitants of the Town worked into the night.
The gloomy forecast of fog and wet mist drifted through Halloween Town the next morning. Light could barely shine through, making the atmosphere truly ghastly, something that everyone in the town loved. Most creatures slept in their beds late, having worked hard the night before. Sally, newly created and curious about the world around her, had snuck out while the Doctor slumbered, sneaking silently and quickly out of the town, and down the winding path to the grave-yard, vast and choked with gray mist and shadows. She went to the large tree, with its one twisted and gnarled branch, and smiled slightly, pale face happy at the new sight. She sat silently behind a large tombstone, and looked at her arms silently, before straightening her dress, adjusting to her position on the ground.
To her surprise, she heard the gates open. Moving quickly, she hid quietly behind the tombstone, watching as a very tall and thin skeleton walked in on her private sitting, unknowing walking right for her. He walked slowly and smoothly up the tree, and stood silent and erect, staring at the low mist as it sailed by in it's own serenity. Sally felt a curious emotion that she was hiding and watching the Pumpkin King she had heard about, when she stayed up late and heard someone crying for his help on something. She silently watched the silent skeleton in his regal clothes, content to stare at him. Suddenly, a white hazy mist obscured her vision, and she looked around in the fog for what was obscuring her view. She stared in surprised shock as she saw she was staring at a ghost-dog that floated above the ground, and stared at her in perplexity. The jack o' lantern on the end of his nose glowed brilliantly, and she shielded her face from the harsh light, being used to the gloomy darkness the morning had deepened into.
"Zero? What've you got there?" the skeleton said, in a light tenor voice, not very deep, but with a chuckle in his throat. He leaped down, reaching his knees up, and then landing flexibly o his agile feet. He walked over, and crouched down so that he was eye level with the sitting Sally. The ghost dog barked excitedly, and flew in circles around the rag-doll. The skeleton grinned good-naturedly, and then turned gently to Sally.
"And who might you be?" he asked her, staring at her in mild confusion. "I don't think I've seen you around before."
Sally was initially terrified of this stranger, but he seemed so gentle, that she smiled a bit, and stared at this new person to see.
"My name is Sally. You're Jack, the Pumpkin King." She said, as a comment, but not a question. Jack lowered himself, and sat on the dry grass with her, staring through the lessening mist at the creature he saw before him. "I didn't know I was so well-known." He said, smiling a bit. Sally blushed slightly, and nodded. She turned to him impulsively. "I hear your name when I stay up late, as everyone finishes for Halloween." Jack stared at her in silence for a moment, then nodded.
"So, you're the Doctor's newest creation?" he asked, although he knew the answer.
"Yes." She confirmed in her soft voice.
They sat in silence, gazing together at the encouraging silent graveyard, immense and yet, small for the two. Finally, Jack's name rang out from somewhere. Jack looked mildly puzzled and stood slowly. He helped Sally up, and then turned in direction of town, trying to stare through this fog. He turned back to Sally, who was trying to discern who's face belonged to the voice, and smiled at her.
"It's the mayor." He explained. "I have to go now. It was nice meeting you Sally." He shook her hand, and left quietly, a pleasant smile on his skull. Sally stared after him for quite a long time before sneaking home.
The days passed quickly, as the creatures from nightmares worked hand in claw to create their finest Halloween yet. Jack was forever busy with supervision and his work, but somehow he often thought of the shy, quiet girl he had talked to in his favorite morning spot. None seemed to notice his thoughts however, something that he was privately thankful. He didn't see the girl again though; she seemed to have disappeared into the mist he had left her behind.
The Doctor hadn't noticed her morning walk; though he did notice that she seemed happier than she had been before. He never offered to take her outside though, he only asked if she would make food for him as he worked. She learned bit by bit how to work and clean, and how to fix herself after an incident with a wayward fork. She learned she could also take something, such as an arm or leg off, and she would feel no pain. She was surprised to discover that she was stuffed with leaves, and that the Doctor did not want her to leave the premises of the observatory. Whenever she asked why, her guardian was elusive. So Sally didn't push anything, seemingly content to do her chores around the lab, and to listen and watch as preparations were made for the next day, Halloween. All Hallows Eve was promising to be busy, and Sally was allowed to take a walk in the graveyard, deserted for the town square. She was sent to pick some herbs, and so she did. She had been reading up on the properties of several plants, and had found some interesting ones. So as she walked through the dead scene, she picked Witch's Hazel, Deadly Nightshade, and Monkshood. The Doctor never questioned what she had brought home, only wondered about the Deadly Nightshade.
As preparations and activity dwindled down, the inhabitants of Halloween Town settled in for sleep for the next day of frolicking and scares. The Doctor had asked for soup for his dinner, and Sally wanted to participate in the events tomorrow. So, although she felt guilty about it, she prepared to make soup filled with Deadly Nightshade, in two doses, which, according to her book, would make the Doctor sleep for a day. Plenty of time for her to watch Jack and the others put on their show. She smiled slightly, and went about the kitchen, preparing. When she had disguised the taste of the sleep herb, she readied the soup in a bowl, and brought it up to the Doctor, busy as ever, and still working on his latest scientific research. He swallowed it expectantly, never noticing the slightly dull flavor until he was asleep. It never occurred to him that obedient Sally would poison him.
As soon as Doctor Finklestein was snoring on his table, and Sally had placed a blanket over his shoulders, she slipped into her own bed to await tomorrow.
It came sooner than she expected, as she awoke to a sleepy morning. The green murkiness of the fountain cast a light glow around those closest to the water. The lamps shone, the torch's cast an orange light, and the day was darkening horrifically. Just like the citizens of Halloween town liked it. The stars began to appear after dusk, and Sally, who couldn't wait any longer, walked quietly out of the overlook, and made her way down, walking through the town shyly. For many, it was the first time any had seen her. The devil eyed her craftily, and the clown was wheeling excitedly about. She spotted the clumsy mayor falling over himself to prepare something himself, and she smiled. Screams and cheers, yells and cries were all loud, and some broke into song. Tension seemed to be high though, so the rag doll moved silently on, nodding her head shyly to others that waved to her.
No one in Halloween town had ever seen anything like the rag doll; she combined beauty, mystery and grace, not to mention the customary freakish Halloween touch. Oblivious to everyone's amusement, or curiosity at her, she walked calmly towards the graveyard, abandoned as usual. Skeleton Jack had noticed her progress through the town, and where she had gone, but what no one noticed was a convergence of some of the more rowdy citizens who had had too much spiked pumpkin juice. The vermilion devil, the clown with the tear-away-face, and the werewolf all followed the Sally-doll, after no one was watching the trio. Jack was busy, locating all of the many groups into their proper places, though he vowed to get away as soon as possible to talk to Sally.
The redhead sat in her usual place, where none from the gate could see her, and watched as the full moon rose over the tree. She played with her long locks silently, and leaned her head against the coldness of the tombstone.
"What a night, eh?" growled the werewolf, sticking his head over the tombstone to watch her crimson head turn in surprise. Though she had no need to fear him. After all, this was Halloween Town. Jack would make sure no one was wicked to her. She smiled slightly, and agreed in a soft voice. The were wolf grinned, his torn flannel shirt a bright yellow, with orange stripes in a plaid design, his fur a dark, shaggy brown. The devil leaped ontop of the tombstone, and stood, leaning over to the girl. She turned slightly, as the devil grinned suggestively. It was then that Sally noticed the slight smell of pumpkin juice that pervaded the area. She started to back away slowly, but was stopped short by the clown.
"It's time to party." Slurred the devil, who leaped off the headstone, his bulging eyes leering. Sally's face was a mask of horrified disbelief. The clown chuckled evilly, his eyes narrowed, and his unicycle abandoned on the path. It was silent through out the graveyard, but the distant yells from Halloween Town were slightly ironic. The werewolf stepped closer, growling in a menacing way, as the furred man-like beast made his way towards the frightened girl.
"You're the prettiest thing the Doctor's created." He growled in his harsh voice, as he grabbed her arm, and brought her flinching face close to his. "At least this time he knows what to make in a girl." He said, leering at her immodestly. Her shy face blushed, and she put a hand out to protect herself from his closeness. Sally slapped the werewolf as his clawed hands tried to roam. Enraged, he grabbed her other hand, and threw her at the clown, who held her arms against his obese body. He was still laughing maniacally, scaring Sally to no end as the devil wagged his forked tail. The clown seemed to enjoy it as her body was shoved against his, and she struggled vainly against his strong grip. The devil snickered slowly, and collapsed on the ground, comatose from the drink. The clown chuckled drunkenly, and the werewolf harshly stared at the creation, and her hair became tangled from being in the clutches of the clown. She struggled again as the werewolf advanced on her, and then let out a plaintive scream for help.
Jack had already finished his work, but had been held-back for looking for Sally by minute details that seemed to need his attention, and his attention alone. Finally, he stood in the square, and no one seemed to need his assistance. Then he stopped. He could hear someone yelling in the distance, and unlike the screams of joy and excitement, this one was full of fear and helpless terror. Jack had only heard Sally's voice once in his lifetime, but he knew it now, and raced toward the gate, promising the citizens he would be back quite soon.
After he had reassured them, he ran as quickly as he could to the seemingly deserted graveyard, his bone legs moving smoothly and elegantly as he ran as fast as his feet could carry him. When he came upon Sally, he was horrified and enraged. He quickly grabbed the drunken werewolf. Seeing his intoxicated state, he looked away, repulsed. But he dropped the human-beast and pulled Sally out of the Clown's hold, toppling him at the same time. Jack looked in disgust at the three, for he had seen the prostate form of the devil on the ground. He led Sally away, and kneeled in front of her, wanting to make sure she was all right. Her dress had ripped along a seam in the front, and she was crying silently, and besides a few bruises on her face, Jack thought she would be fine. The skeleton opened his arms, and Sally leaned into them, now crying noisily, as her red hair surrounded the skeleton's skull. He hugged her gently, comforting her in a soft voice, before standing up, and brushing a tear away from her face. That simple act made Sally look at him with admiration, and newfound love, something Jack couldn't yet see.
"Are you all right?" he asked, still worried of her welfare. Sally looked at him with her big eyes and nodded quietly, before the two walked quietly, and in Sally's case, unsteadily, back to the festivities. Jack supported her slight frame, and smiled gently to her when they reached the gate back. Sally watched the festivities that night, but she had only eyes for Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.
Continued in the stop-motion feature
Tim Burton's
The Nightmare Before Christmas
By: Oppressed
Title: That Simple Act
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I only own the DVD and a tee shirt, I no way do I own Any of the characters or the setting of this story. I merely own the plot.
Hello! This is the authoress. Because I liked the movie when I saw it, and I had a little free time Saturday, I churned this out, for your viewing enjoyment, with no monetary values involved, only the joy that comes from reviews. Because I'm still an aspiring writer, and trying to sort out my own style, I would tremendously appreciate any and all feedback you lovely readers can give me. Thank you for reading this, and I hope you'll leave a comment.