"Alright go ahead Ms. (last name of student bleeped out)."
"I just wanted to point out something to (student's name bleeped out) because she just blatantly said 'a bunch of intoxicated frat boys' which I think is not only sexist but it also jumps to prejudicial conclusions. I mean, why does it have to frat boys. Women get intoxicated too, don't they?"
"Really? Have you even seen the pictures on the internet, idiot!"
"Don't call me an idiot, bitch!"
"Oh I'm a bitch? I'm a bitch! Really? Really?"
"Ladies, please."
"Catfight!"
"Reeeow!"
"Shut up!'
"Yeah grow up while you're at it!"
"Class, Washington's address is looming...Okay, now I believe (student's name bleeped out) has the floor.
"Look, it's obviously fucking men, okay? Only men would pull this kinda crap anyway because they're all immature douche bags. Case in point: the assholes over there, making all those lewd remarks!"
"Yeah, yeah, we're all a buncha pigs, shut up!"
"Claaaa-aaaasssss!"
"I wanna beer!"
(Whole class erupts into laughter followed by intense overlapping arguments, thoroughly indecipherable save a few explicit remarks beeped out)
(Recordings at this point are filled with shuffling sounds while teacher again threatens Washington and textbooks)
(Recordings resumed)
(Student asked to again resume her opinion, but student declines with tone of bitter resentment toward her peers)
(Another student is called on)
"Actually, I think it's all rather brilliant."
"Really? Brilliant?"
"Yeah, how can you even say that?"
"Well, I mean, just think about it a second. I mean, what a concept: Sudden, random, or at least, seemingly random appearances by all these freaks, dressed up as clowns...I don't know about you guys, but clowns scare the hell outta me."
"Me too!"
"Me three...”
"Pussies!
"Quiet! Let him finish!"
"Yeah, really you guys. Enough...”
"So sorry."
"Yeah, our bad...pussies."
(Scattered laughter followed by a brief silence)
"I was just saying that clowns...Well, look. When I was kid I saw "It,” you know the Stephen King TV movie from, like, the 80s or whatever. My dad put it on for Halloween. I'll never forget that opening scene where the little girl on the bike first sees the clown, Pennywise. And It's just standing there and there're all these sheets hanging out to dry on a line, just blowing in the wind and the clown suddenly waves and It's being all funny and cheery and It says "hi there" and the girl laughs, but then...the sheets blow in front of the camera so we can't see the clown and when they stop, the clown is just...standing there again...staring...not at the girl anymore, but at us. At me. Well, I mean that's what I thought at the time anyway. And it's real quick, but there's this creepy music and the way they did it, the way It's expression just...darkens...It's-it's kinda hard to describe..."
"Dude, I totally know what you're talking about I saw that movie hella times and it-"
(A mass eruption of sh-shing noises by the students. Someone tells the student interrupting to shut the fuck up. Teacher reprimands the class as a whole then asks prior student speaking before interruption to please resume.)
"I was just saying I remember It's face...the clown and I'll never forget how unbelievably terrified I was, my skin actually started itching from all the goose bumps...
(Some laughter, but it quickly dies)
"It was the most evil thing I've ever seen. I had nightmares for...Christ, I think 'til I was in middle school. Maybe longer. Anyway, my point was, like...okay, so clowns are a symbol for our deepest fears 'cause like, I don't know...'cause their supposed to be these funny, kid loving doofusses, right? But really they're not. At least not to a lot of people. Not to me."
(Teacher calls for a wrap up, many students make sounds of protest; one student shouts for his "mommy.” There's laughter. Student speaking resumes)
"I forgot where I was going with all that...sorry."
"It's cool bro, you were scaring the fuck out've us too much anyway."
(Explosion of laughter)
"I think I was saying that I thought the clown-scare idea was brilliant, at least in theory, because not only does a stunt like this...clown...web...thing, or whatever it is, bring out our society's all-too-quick overreaction to what could very well be a harmless series of pranks; to the point where everybody just starts panicking...I think it also reminds us that we can still be so easily ruled by the worst of our imagination. And it's possible that some day we will...be ruled by our imagination, I mean, um, yeah..."
(Applause, cheers, a few shouts of strong argument)
"That's no excuse to scare people!"
"Yeah, this isn't a fucking college thesis. These freaks are showing up on playgrounds, okay!"
(Side debates ensue, insults are hollered, teacher again reprimands the class then claps and calls - yet again - for silence)
"Okay, everybody, I think we did some excellent work here today. I'm proud of you guys. Maybe we were a little immature at times...especially some of our own circus performers in the third row over there...
"Sorry, dad."
"Yeah, please don't spank us."
(Scattered laughter)
"Anyway, we have time for one last comment. How about you (student name bleeped out)? You've been awful quiet. Any thoughts on this subject?"
"Yeah tell us what you think, Columbine boy!"
"Not funny!"
"Blow me."
"Can you just shut up?"
"No!"
"Quiet!"
(Silence. The called-on student sits up in his chair)
"Well...I just think it'd be kinda a cool way to end the world, you know? I mean if we all just dressed up as clowns and shot each other...or ourselves even...and all because we were so scared of our own faces. I don't know...I think that sounds like...poetic justice."
(Silence)
(The recording stops)
October 9, 2016
Westwood Mall
Omaha, Nebraska
It starts to walk.
Slowly.
Step. Step. Step.
And as it walks, the dozens of cars searching for parking spaces all come to a complete stop. Windows roll down. Heads pop out from every vehicle (though no one opens their doors). Faces go pale. People point and scream. Some just stare in fear and disbelief.
The clown continues walking.
Step. Step. Step.
And we see it is drenched head-to-toe in blood.
In its left hand, the clown carries an oversized bowling pin (covered in bloodstains) as it moves (ever so slowly) through the parking lot, approaching the mall at the east entrance.
Those on foot, previously on their way inside, all stop in their tracks as the clown gets closer. Many stifle an urge to cry out and instead they turn and run. Yet others remain frozen.
And the clown moves forward.
Step. Step. Step.
It's free hand reaches out to open one of the glass doors.
And now it enters.
Step. Step. Step.
Those inside, heading out all gasp and stand aside.
The clown passes them without saying a word.
Step. Step. Step.
The east side of the mall is the food court and as the clown makes its way through, the echoing noise of conversation at the crowded tables quickly vanquishes. Some point and whisper while others rise from their chairs, shouting things like: "Oh my God! Harry get the kids!" and "Jesus God! Is that real blood? Somebody call the police!"
A few teenagers yell out "Awesome!" and "Fuck yeah!" But mostly, as the clown passes through the remainder of the food court, entering deeper into the mall's main shopping area where foot traffic has all but come to a halt (the exception being those with children who
grab their kids and start running), there is an eerie mass of silence.
And the clown moves forward.
Step. Step. Step.
But just as those watching begin to unfreeze from their momentary shock and paralysis, the clown suddenly stops. Then it turns, doing an exact one-eighty.
Until now it's head has been lowered; it's eyes half-shut, pinned to the ground.
However, as it turns, its head gradually rises, until it's looking deadpan at the faces of all those watching it.
Simultaneously, it's painted eyelids fully open.
The crowd watching (even those previously cheering and laughing) all cry out. Many even shriek. For whatever inner fear they may have suppressed up to this moment, suddenly erupts with a terrible vengeance, as the clown drops the bowling pin to the floor, allowing everyone to see what it actually is: an explosive device; complete with a digital timer, presently counting down from 00:15.
00:14
00:13
The sight of the bomb/pin causes an immediate and full-on panic as every last shopper turns and runs, shrieking at the top of their lungs.
The clown, however, remains motionless save for the blood that drips from the open wound (a large gash) on the top of its pale, baldhead and runs down its painted-white brow where it then drips to its blue circle cheeks and the chin of its crooked-smiling face.
00:10...00:09...00:08
More blood pours down.
The clown blinks.
And now we see its true eyes.
00:05...00:04
Eyes that are now as wide as they can open.
00:03..002
Eyes that are not really eyes at all.
00:01
Eyes: solid black.
-00:00-
-00:00-
-00:00-
-Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-
(-BOOM-)
The top of the bowling pin explodes and a burst of multi-colored confetti flies everywhere. But there's no one there to see it. They've all fled in terror.
Only the clown remains.
Silent; still.
And smiling.
"Breaking news. This just in. A mall in Nebraska was turned upside down by a scourge of police officers, all in search of man dressed in a clown suit - covered in blood - who caused a widespread panic inside the main shopping areas. So far, the search seems to be in vain; the man, as yet unidentified, has not been found. The mall security officers first on the scene report they could not get there in time to restrain the individual. Apparently, Sandra this was quite a commotion, almost riot-like in scope. We have Channel Five new crews and reporter Gina Carpenter at the scene..."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"Like a horror movie brought terrifyingly to real life, witness say there was a weapon; a blood soaked bowling pin fashioned into an explosive device, recovered at the scene by mall security and Omaha Police. The Bomb Squad was called in, but so far everyone appears to be safe...
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"Still more breaking news: Hundreds fled in a state of panic from an apparent bomb scare at the Westwood Mall here in Nebraska, causing a major traffic jam on highway 80, cars just backed up for miles in absolute deadlock."
"Meanwhile, bodies of dozens fleeing the scene were trampled and some severely injured. Also: a seven-year old child has been reported dead on the scene, the result of a terrible six-car pileup just outside the mall's east parking lot-"-
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-Governor is calling for a state of emergency."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-strict curfew has been enacted as the now state-wide search continues-"
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-cars are being stopped by police as far out as Norfolk..."
-tsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-vagrants who supposedly look similar in height and body structure to the man who caused this terrible incident at Westwood Mall are being harassed, even attacked..."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-helicopters are circling the downtown area of the city of Omaha. Carl, I've never seen police action of this kind for something like this...This...this is truly unbelievable."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-Experts speculate: this may be an act of terrorism-"
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-clown hysteria!"
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-a possible hoax..."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"- a prank gone horribly wrong."
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst
"- the act of a lone, crazed man seeking attention"
-tssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst-
"-well, Jenny, we can speculate all night about this. But allow me to say this: if, indeed, this tragedy at Westwood Mall; indeed, this entire Clown Scare that appears to be happening all over the country....If indeed it was supposed to be a hoax, I'll can tell you this: It certainly isn't now. Not...anymore."
October 13, 2016
Holcombe Rucker Park
Harlem, New York
"Ey nigga! 'Ey nigga! You was out-a-bouns, nigga! You was outta-bouns!"
T-Rock drops the ball and steps to Jay-Way, getting right in his face, hollering, "Nigga, fuck you, nigga! You ain' shit!"
The players from both sides instantly form a circle around the two arguing; many of them shouting as well.
T-Rock throws his hands up. "So wassup then, nigga! Wassup then!"
"Nigga, fuck yo, nigga!" Jay-Way fires back, refusing to show even the slightest sign of being intimated despite T-Rock's size (a good twenty pounds heavier).
"Nigga, I'll slap the fuck ou'chu!" T-Rock threatens.
Jay-Way flexes right back. "So wassup then? Wassup then?"
The homies are getting impatient for blood and two of them start a shoving match, which quickly makes them center stage.
The fists are just about to start swinging when one of the youngster's, previously watching from the sidelines (with his own pack of hoods) comes racing up to the crowd, shouting, "Hey-ey-ey! Y'all come check dis shit! These niggas over here is trippin'."
The fighting stops immediately. What the youngsters saying is that there's some "unknowns" entering on their turf and they probably aren't here to play basketball.
"Where d'ey at?" T-Rock asks the kid. At the same time he starts signaling Lil'-Q who's over by the benches.
L'il-Q signals back and starts pulling automatics out from a Styrofoam container posing as a beverage cooler.
"Where d’ey at?" T-Rock asks again, but the youngster is distracted by something he sees through the fence of the court.
And now T-Rock grabs him by his shirt collar. "Nigga, I said: where they at?"
The youngster points to the fence and everyone turns to look.
There, standing in the middle of the street, are six gangstas wearing various clown wigs and make-up. None of them hold any guns. They're simply posed there, motionless; arms at their sides.
"The fuck is these niggas?" T-Rock says, mostly to himself. And again he signals Lil-Q who in turn signals three or four of the homies to come to the cooler, which they do.
"Muthfuckas got to be smokin' that shit?" Jay-Way exclaims and this provokes a few laughs.
T-Rock nods and calls out to the clowns: "Hey, so wassup?" He flashes ganga-code at them with both hands.
The gangsta-clowns remain silent, still.
The homies at the cooler rush back over to T-Rock and the others, arming t
hem on the sly so as not to draw attention.
"I said: So wassup, niggas?" T-Rock shouts again, flashing more code.
No response.
T-Rock makes a "tsk" sound and looks to Jay-Way who nods his agreement that these niggas is straight bitches. Together they walk to the open gate of the court and pass through, but not before cocking their Glocks.
T-Rock steps to the tallest of the gangsta clowns (who stands a good seven feet and is wearing Gucci shades).
"Da fuck you niggas think you doin', comin' up in my park dressed like a buncha bitch-ass clowns."
"Oh d'ey clownin' alright," Jay-Way agrees, laughing.
"Yeah," T-Rock says, staring hard into the seven-foot clown's face. "You know where da fuck you at nigga?" He makes a grand sweeping gesturing. "This here's my turf. And you sucka-ass bitches need to get fuck out now 'fore I blast your faded ass."
The tall clown says nothing; just stands there, staring.
T-Rock steps back and raises his Glock pointing it (sideways) in Tall Clown's face. "Nigga, you hear what I said, nigga!"
The youngsters on the court all rush to the fence to get a better view of the action. Some of them join Jay-Way who also draws his Glock, pointing it sideways back and forth at the other clown gangstas none of whom move even the slightest inch.
T-Rock bites his lower lip, his trigger finger itching to squeeze. He knows he's under close scrutiny. One slip, revealing any intimidation whatsoever and he'll be overthrown as the shot-caller by Jay-Way.
"Nigga, I'm-a say it one more time, nigga! Get'cho asses the fuck up outta here!"
But the gangsta clowns remain virtual statues.
And T-Rock is about to say something else, another threat, when Jay-Way starts laughing again and says. "Hey, nigga. I know who deez niggas is. D'ey I.C.P.!"
(He's referring to the infamous rap group from the mid-90s Insane Clown Posse)
Everyone including T-Rock busts up laughing.
"Yeah-yeah!" One of the youngsters hollers. "I.C.P.! I.C.P! Lemme get'cho autograph niggas!"
More laughing.
But then T-Rock gets serious. He steps again to Tall Clown, gun still aimed at his face. "I like them shades...ni-gah!"
"Nigga, pop that nigga!" someone yells.
Tall Clown simply stares.
9 Tales Told in the Dark 20 Page 2