by Erb, Thom
Oh, you think so too Mr. Howdy? Thank you very much.
I hear them. I think they are in the main theater. Shush. Stop talking Mr. Howdy!
Hear ‘em? Me too! That boy, Alexis-Baby’s boyfriend Tony. I think that’s his name. She would call his name a lot when they go up to the other balcony and make dirty on the floor up there. She cries, screams his name and asks God for help too. He is a mean boy and needs to be punished, like Mama does, when I’m bad. When I find him Mr. Howdy, I will be him leak and I will like it. I might even get a willy.
You like that? You are laughing and it makes me giggle. Shush, we need to be quiet as a church Mr. Howdy. They will hear us.
If you look through the peephole here that I made, you can see what those mean kids are doing in my movie home.
Ah, I can’t see anything either Mr., Howdy, They must be down by the stage. I can hear ‘em, let’s head down that way and I know a good spot to check em’ out from above. The way is dark so hang on tight. I know, I know, I have a hold of you by the strings, but still. You never know what those jerks may have put in our way. Or worse, those icky spiders might have made their sticky, icky webs across the hallways, like they always do. It makes me wiggle and want to shake right out of my skin just thinking about all those little legs running all over my body.
Oh, don’t worry Mr. Howdy, I’ll protect you. It’s not that far and I can see really good in the dark so we will be good.
Ohh,uugghhh, umpfff.
Damn it!
That hurt so bad. You okay Mr. Howdy? I didn’t mean to drop you. I forgot all about Robin, Ellen and Stacy. I put them here a long while ago. I hope you’re okay? I forgot all about them girls. It got so full in the basement and attic; I had to let them sleep here. Plus, goodness gracious, they never stopped yakking it up. These girls just kept talking, my head hurt, and Mama got mad at them and made me move them. Here, let me ungooble your strings.
I’m really sorry Mr. Howdy, I really am. We better get movin’ I hear Alexis-Baby crying again and that jerky Tony shouting bad things and using curse words. The stage is right ahead, right next to those big red, cushy curtains.
Oh, goodness, I hear him. He’s…
I didn’t want to hurt him. He scared me. His eyes are so wide. I can’t let him scream. I grab him by the neck and tug him close to me. Mr. Howdy, tell me what to do, please!
My hand finds the handle of the big knife easy like from the leather holder on my hip. I don’t mean to stick him with it. He just scared me is all. His blood feels warm on my skin. It feels good- it’s really cold here. I can hear him trying to say something. It’s best if I keep it quiet. I need to get to Alexis-Baby. I don’t wanna be surprised by more of her stupid friends.
Oh shoot, I hate it when my hands get all gooey and sticky from the red stuff. I will let him lie down and let him sleep. I hope he doesn’t sleep black, but he scared me. I’m sorry mister; I didn’t mean to hurt you. Sleep tight, dream big mister.
Stop laughing Mr. Howdy! It’s not funny- Oh God, someone else coming!
They… she is calling out for somebody. I can see lights from the theater shining in here, backstage. I don’t like the yellow. It sees me too much.
Come on Mr. Howdy, there’s a place behind the big screen where we can hide and get a goodly look for Alexis-Baby. Oh, no I won’t hurt her! Why do you always tell me to hurt them? Haven’t I gave you enough of them? Goodness gracious Mr. Howdy, how many do you need?
I’m sorry. I’m sorry. You are right! Please forgive me.
Let’s get closer. I can hear them, can you? Yeah I know. They are saying some really mean things about me and my Mama. I don’t like that one little bit. Uh uh, no way today.
Hold on Mr. Howdy, while I put you in your pouch on my back.
Ah, there ya are. Are you all comfy-caboodle back there? Can you see okay?
Cool beans. Now, let’s go find Alexis-Baby and her mean ol’ boyfriend. He makes me mad and I think he needs a stern talkin’ to.
“Hey sweetie, do you think Howdy Doody Monster is gonna come get ya?” Alexis teased and tweaked her nipples through her tight white, wife-beater shirt. Her smile was meant to tease and arouse her nervous boyfriend, who hung back, close to the door that led back to the lobby of the rundown Clark Theatre.
“Ah man, come on now Sherri, you know this place bugs me out,” Tony pleaded grabbing the rusted and cobwebbed handle of the worn door. Not much light was allowed to break the blackness of the large, old theater. The soft beams from their flashlights made little impact on the thickness of the Clark.
“Hey, where did Eric and Lindsay go?” His voice croaked. He wanted it to come out more manly, but as always; it never worked that way for him.
“Where do you think they went silly?” She was almost to the inch thick covered intricately carved wooden stage. “I’m guessing they’re having some booty time.”
The small shafts of light from their flashlights danced and bounced about the long-condemned movie theater. Not nearly enough illumination to make Tony feel safe, as he finally caved in and cautiously made his way down the dust and grime incrusted red carpet that lead down the aisle to his waiting hottie girlfriend.
“What the hell is that smell?” Tony crinkled his long nose as he sniffed the stale air. Something smelled…dead.
“Ooooohhhh, it must be the rotting bodies of those skank bitches from school that Howdy Doody has stacked up around here smooches,” Her large blue eyes seem like a beacon in the desolate theater- drawing him down to her, like a black widow would welcome her doomed lover. He was creeped out for sure, but the growing member in his jeans had other plans. And lord knows he was never one to think with the big head.
The old theater was a haven for the homeless and partying teens for years. The last film that was shown on its tattered and yellowed screen was Return of the Jedi. The rundown vaudeville palace was one a thriving, center for the small town of Sterling Point. Now it was a puss-oozing, eye sore that the town planning committee had slated for demolition for the past ten years. But the delinquent son of the mayor owned it and was content with just letting the decrepit building sit and rot. Rot like the multitude of corpses that lay festering and rotting inside the dust covered, red carpeted walls.
“Ah babe, you getting scared? You hear that? I bet he’s hiding somewhere in here. Or better yet…” Her wide blue eyes feigned horror as she whipped her head around, looking in all directions. Her tone was mocking him, but he was used to it.
“Knock that shit off,” Tony huffed, shaking his head.
“What’s wrong? You think that Eric and Linds are all strong up like meat puppets backstage? Huh, do ya babe? She bent over the old dust crusted seat, exposing her ample cleavage and gave them a slight jiggle and smiled.
“Ooooohhhh. The big Howdy Doody man is gonna snatch you up and gut you like a deer...dear?” Her laughter filled the large room. It sounded hollow and empty.
“Shut the fuck up,” Tony teased as he grabbed her in his arms and smacked her ass. The fleshy slap echoed of the cobweb covered walls.
“You are such a big pussy,” She winked and blew him a kiss.
“Keep talking shit and I’ll do more than smack that ass,” he tried to sound tough, they both knew better.
“Ah, I see you haven’t totally lost your manhood,” She bit his lower lip and grabbed his swollen crotch. “Come on then tough guy, let’s go,” She said, licking her lips, pulled away from him. She pouted her full lips and slow walked backwards, down toward the old wooden stage. She smacked her ass-wrapped in tight worn jeans.
Tony watched her fade into the shadows but the little yellow light from his cheap ass Dollar Store flashlight traced her smoking hot frame down to the front of the stage.
“You are one cruel bitch, ya know that?” He forced a chuckle, adjusted his hard on and slowly followed.
“Hey babe, don’t leave me alone in here, especially after what you did to me?” He grabbed her from behind, jamming his hard dick
against her taught ass. He pressed her hard against the cold stage. She moaned, and then giggled.
Tony thought he heard a soft voice whisper from somewhere way off, backstage. He let the thought wash away into the blackness as she reached back and unzipped his jeans.
“Now that’s what I was hoping to be doing tonight. Not fuckin’ around some damn haunted movie shithole,” He nibbled on her ear lobe and thrusted.
“Hey Babe, aren’t you afraid that Howdy Doody will JUMP out and cut your balls off?” Alexis laughed and pulled away, leaving Tony’s erect penis bouncing in the chilly darkness. She gave his testicles a playful squeeze and climbed up onto the stage, giggling.
“Now, that shit ain’t right,” Tony forced a laugh and covered his dick with his quivering hand and fought to see where his cock-tease of a girlfriend disappeared to.
“Follow me babe, and I will make you see God,” Tony heard Sherri’s sensuous voice plead through the ebony, thick air. He still smelled something bad… Something that reminded him of road kills out on Route 104; road kills if they were a herd of mastodons. But there was another smell; a more powerful scent, that made him push all the Howdy Doody small town urban legend bullshit off into that shadows. The throbbing in his groin quickly helped him brush it aside. He needed to get laid.
Tony staggered as Sherri’s flashlight disappeared into the darkness. He heard her lilting laughter further on in the blackness and the padding of hard soles from her Uggz boots on the wooden stage straight ahead of him.
“Hey babe, I always knew you wanted to be in the movies,” His own voice caused him to jump as it filled up the thick silence. He waited a few long moments for a response. The silence was heavy and seemed to have a sound all its own; a low menacing hum filled his ears and sent a sharp jolt down his spine. He shivered and took a deep breath.
“Come on T-Rock, I’m sure we can find a couch or something back here and put that tiny thing of yours to use,” Alexis’ voice clawed through the darkness. “, I know little tony isn’t afraid of dark places.”
Tony hopped up onto the stage and stopped as her sexy words we choked off behind the heavy curtains and torn screen.
Ssshh, Mr. Howdy, I think it’s her- Alexis-Baby! Hold on, let me put the pack down and I’ll go check. You stay here. Oh, you really want to come along? Ah. Mr. Howdy, uh…I don’t think you should.
Okay, okay, but you have to promise, no, swear... Oh, better yet, Pinky swear NOT to tell Mama anything okay?
Cool beans. But you have to promise you won’t make me hurt her like I did the others.
Pinky swear? Okay, it’s a deal then.
I think I heard her over by the clothes room. Let’s go.
“Alexis, where are you, I have a little something for ya,” Tony’s voice died a mere few feet into the black foam of shadows that lay in front of him. He could hear Sherri’s sultry giggles further in, once he passed the thick curtain of the stage. The air was thick and the same dead smell grew heavier, almost solid matter, caused him to gag and cover his mouth and nose with his sweaty hand.
“I’m so wet for you baby. If you don’t hurry up, I’m gonna let big old Howdy Doody…do me!” Alexis moaned from further ahead.
“I’m comin’ yo, and soon you will be too. You can bet your sweet ass on that one.” Tony spat a gob of thick phlegm onto the crusted stage and shined the flashlight in the direction of his Alexis’ sexy voice. It did little good. But once again, little tony did all the thinking as he pressed on into the ebon fabric of the backstage area.
“Oh fuck me runnin’,” Alexis bitched as the lemon-yellow beam from her flashlight flickered and snuffed out. She stopped quick and reached out to her right and her thin hands found purchase on the coolness of old brick. She leaned against the wall and slammed the flashlight against the wall and it retaliated by splitting open and spilling its guts of D batteries all over the hardwood floor. The metallic thud interrupted the thick silence. The echo was snatched up by the darkness and ushered away further into the backstage of the old theater.
“Tony, where the fuck are you, dumb ass?” She shouted and it bounced back to her with a harsh slap. The air was as thick as cement and just as heavy. The smell that welcomed them when they broke in was far worse back stage. Her arousal was long gone and now she shivered against the cold wall. It felt sticky to the touch and she recoiled and kicked at the rebellious batteries at her feet and cursed them.
“Tony!” She let out and it fell on a wall of black. She heard someone breathing.
She froze.
My willy is growing again Mr. Howdy. Alexis-Baby is close. I can smell her. Oh that other smelly stuff? It’s just … just my puppets. Ya know, the other folks who came to watch movies and cartoons. The ones who didn’t want to go home. They don’t talk much. They stink a little bit but as you always tell me, they are enjoying the show.
I like making people happy. My smile grows so wide and feels like it will split my face in two, like the orange halves Mama used to pack for me in my Incredible Hulk lunch box. Well, that was before Mama pulled my out of school.
I like making people happy.
I can smell her.
My willy is wiggling’ again.
Do I look handsome Mr. Howdy?
Alexis-Baby is gonna love me. I’m gonna make her happy.
Shhsshhhh! I can see her flashlight.
She’s coming for me.
She will like it here with the others.
Alexis-Baby loves me.
Shhsshhhh.
“Hey babe, where the hell are you?” Tony waved his tiny flashlight like a Lightsaber in all directions but the darkness of backstage was as thick and unrelenting. A vigorous cold chill wracked his thin body; his erection long gone; turned into a turtle and found safety inside his body, next to his shrunken testicles. He gulped and looked about frantically in every direction for Alexis. She didn’t answer and the beams from her flashlight were now gone. He didn’t like this one damn bit.
“Quit fucking around now. You know this shit ain’t funny no more.” He slowly walked forward. He had no clue where he was going. He was just following the path Alexis had been on before the black theater swallowed her. He hoped it was the right direction. His churning gut told him to run and get the hell away from this evil place. Alexis made mad jokes about it and the Howdy Doody killer and shit, but he believed it. He knew it to be true. He always had a sense for this kind of evil shit. And he knew he needed to find Alexis and his friends and get the hell out of there now.
A loud thudding came from ahead and off the left-somewhere behind the screen Tony estimated. He thought he heard her voice. He let loose a small smile at the comfort and headed that way off into even deeper darkness. Within it, his little light was lost.
Okay, you stay right here Mr. Howdy, she’s comin’ this way. Just wait to you see the look on her beautiful face.
I will make her happy.
“Son of a bitch,” Alexis tried to peer into the darkness. It felt as if it was glaring back at her. “Just your imagine bitch. Get your shit together,” She told herself and her words felt flat in the stifling air around her.
Tony was right. There was a really nasty stench in here. But it was worse backstage. The wave of what smelled like rotting meat and feces filled her nose and mouth. She fell to her knees and cupped her mouth. It was too late- the chewed remnants of a Big Mac and French fries flew out of her mouth and disappeared into the blackness. Her body convulsed and heaved.
She wiped her mouth and got her feet. Her knees buckled but she managed to keep her balance. Her stomach still felt like it had a million tiny MMA fighters in it, kicking the crap out of her. If I could just see damn it. She stood in complete darkness, wondering what to do next. A thought hit her like a lightning flash. She slapped herself in the side of the head and felt for her pants pocket.
“You can really be a dumb ass sometime ya know that Alexis Lynn Conroy!” She pulled out her cell phone and flipped it open. Its bluish glow lit up he
r face and she found comfort in the cold color.
It didn’t safe her from the stench that was redolent here, backstage. It reminded her of the north field of her uncle’s cow farm where he dumped all the cattle that died or they had to kill if they were too sick to butcher. The stench of the rotting cows kept her from that part of the farm. But this smell was different. Too strong, too…
She held the cell phone in front of her. The soft light allowed her to make out only a few things a few feet in front of her; a few boxes, old mannequins, trash and empty beer cans. She slowly stepped forward and stopped sharply. A door painted in a sickly pale green. Like that of the color of green olive left out of the jar too long.
She tried the handle and it gave resistance, but relented and turned with a loud screech. She hoped that Tony might have heard it and would come to her. She thought about heading back the way she came, but was so turned around, she didn’t know which way that was. The door was heavy and something seemed to be stopping her from opening it further. She put her shoulder into it and if belched a loud screech, and opened up.
The blue glow of her cell phone pierced the blackness of the room and it slipped from her trembling hand as the smell, unbearable outside the room was multiplied by a thousand as she once again, fell to her knees in spasms of revulsion and uncontrollable vomiting.
“Jesus Christ,” Tony stood frozen in the same spot. A cloak of blackness surrounded him. He kept hearing a low, muttering voice but not sure where it was coming from. The damn theater was huge and filled with all kinds of shit and made sound travel strange. He didn’t even know if he could trust his own ears. He thought Alexis was ahead but her flashlight was gone. Knowing her, she probably dropped the damned flashlight and that was the sound he heard a few moments ago.