11SS1Jinny, the owl, is sleeping. It is still sunset and he is rather lazy these days.
The bats are flying over the tree lined boulevard and the roofs around the square. They are in perfect shape.
In a short time, people will be coming in the streets, children and adults in all sorts of masks.
Here comes the GItan caravan, playing drums and flutes, reading cards, and swallowing fire sticks.
The sinister man with its limp marionettes is taking advantage of the nook wjhere the Gitan fire casts the longest shadows.
Then, comes the belle dame sans merci, a silver tear on her left cheakbone, and the headless black knight , holding a jack o'laterns in its place.
The high street is getting busy indeed.
Jinny the owl yawns, and starts its hooting. Oh, yes! Now the party is full on .
Because of cries, laughs, treats or tricks, you would say everything is all right , except that not all indeed is.
Jack and Nora have left the road.
Now, they're discussing, even screaming inside the car. She is a lovely witch, he is a yellowish diablo... until things get out... or in .... hand, and Jack is strangling Nora.
You can't hear a single sound out of sound-proof windows.
Jack opens the door. Stands up and breethes freezing air. He considers for a moment: where shall I leave her?
The the genial idea!
He puts her in the middle of the limp marionettes of the sinister artist in the square nook.
The marionette man follows everything from the corner of his eye, and smiles. He always needs new characters, and has strings attached for anyone whom he receives from murderers.
At midnight, the show is over.
Everyone disperses, but he taps on Jack's shoulder.
"Pardon?"
"Didd you really believe I haven't noticed her?"
Jack goes on his knees, and cries.
"Enough", says the marionette artist. "For this year you are in my charge, unless you prefer the police. You are going to comb, take care of them, perfume all my marionettes..."
"...But they are dolls!"
"Oh! yes, sort of. They are all mummies and your Nora will become one soon too, with your work."
Jack opens his eyes wide, horrified. Then, he follows the man inside his caravan.
"You see," he says," you already know that women and certain other types, are nuisances! Ad who knows.... you may even enjoy the job!"
Jack almost falls out of the chair.
"Let's give this a try", he says.
The man shakes his hand wholeheartedly, knowing he's got him forever.
