An Early Halloween by Prospero Pulma

It was still early in the morning and only half of the work stations were occupied. A buzz rose and when I looked up from my computer, a strange apparition greeted my eyes. There was this man garbed in a kimono with black make-up smeared on the sides of his eyes. A colleague laughed and others soon joined in the gaiety. The man gamely traded jokes, but I held my composure, intending not to poke fun at the helpless guy or so I thought.

Hours later, a lively air had invaded the office. Fairies, a fortune teller, walking flowers, Neo of Matrix fame, the Grim Reaper and demons in black robes with red, glistening horns (I did not see any horns or pitchforks) started emerging from the water closets, prancing in the hallways, turning our office into a netherworld dotted with small patches of fairyland.

There was an obvious effort in donning the most resplendent costume and a hefty cash prize awaited the best dressed, or should I say the most hideous.

While I am civilized enough to know what Halloween is, it was the first time that I saw a Halloween party in the office. It was a welcome break from tedious work, aside from the lively banter that my teammates and I would engage. We also had an early trick or treat, courtesy of the generous guy in the kimono (I hope he won).

Welcome to Halloween? Or should I say, Welcome to high-maintenance lifestyle of partying?