#FallWritingFrenzy 2021

October 1, 2021

The #FallWritingFrenzy sponsored by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis is back! My 200-word story, THE BAND AUDITION, is based on the photo of four skeletons on a stage playing musical instruments. It’s time to add a new member to the band, and several ghouls and monsters have come to audition. Here is my entry:

THE BAND AUDITION

by Debra Daugherty

A crumpled flyer taped to the cemetery gate caught Skelly’s attention.

The Tombstones need a trombone player for the Halloween Bash on All Hallows Eve. Must enjoy shaking and rattling bones to the music. Auditions start at midnight at the haunted mansion.

“That’s my kind of gig,” said Skelly. He grabbed his instrument and drove his hearse to the mansion.

Competition proved fierce. Both the Wolfman and Dracula played There Will Be Blood. Zombie wowed everyone with his rendition of Thriller, and Frankenstein performed The Monster Mash.

Skelly’s knees clinked as he shuffled to the stage. He introduced himself to the four band members. “I’m Skelly Ton from Peaceful Valley Cemetery, grave marker 51. My number is Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

One-armed Bone-Jangles sang, and the other band members jammed along as Skelly blasted the toe-tapping, knee-jerking, eye-popping tune on his trombone. When Skelly finished, the band cheered and his competitors stomped their feet. If Skelly had skin, his cheeks would have blushed beet red.

“You’re hired,” said Bone-Jangles.

On All Hallows Eve Skelly’s music woke the dead. Every ghoul from miles around gathered at the haunted mansion to hear him play.

Wolfman declared Skelly’s performance a bone-chilling, howling success.