Page 35 of Raging Fires

“What about the mechanic coveralls? Are they the same ones in every movie? Like the doctors let him keep them in his room at the insane asylum? They’re just hanging there in the closet next to his spare hospital gowns?”

“Okay. I'm going to pause this.” Jake shook his head like he was annoyed, but the smile on his face said otherwise. “The reason you have to ask so many questions in this movie is because you spent all the time watching the other movies asking other questions.”

“I take offense at that.”

“You're telling me you don't talk throughout movies? To the point that I just started waiting until they weren't in theaters anymore because I was tired of being shushed?”

“No. I'm not saying I don't do it. I just take offense at getting told I do something that I do.” Kelli laughed.

“Don't we all?” Jake pointed at Michael frozen onscreen. “We don’t ever see how the mask came to be. He never painted it himself. He got it when he broke into the hardware store in the first movie.”

“A hardware store was selling William Shatner masks that were spray painted white and had the hair arranged like their main form of styling implement was ‘ungrounded live wire?’”

“Apparently it was a very specialized store.” Jake laughed. “And as far as the coveralls go, I think he's killed multiple truckers and mechanics over the years.”

“Gotta keep that aesthetic consistent.” Kelli pulled the bowl of popcorn into her lap. “I just feel bad for all the mechanics and truckers who died just because Michael wanted to cop their look. Okay. Done now.”

“Famous last words.” Jake smirked but he turned the movie back on.

After a good five minutes of uninterrupted screen time, Kelli grabbed the remote from him and paused again.

“Really?” Jake shook his head.

“What? I paused it this time.” She fluttered her lashes innocently. “Come on, there are things I need to know.”

“Fine.” Jake laughed. “What is your current pressing inquiry?”

“Why are they still making these masks after so many years? Their entire prospective customers base seems to be one solitary serial killer who only replenishes his supply every couple of decades—and even then he always steals them! Doesn't seem like a real lucrative business model.” Kelly raised her eyebrows.

“Maybe that was what movie three was trying to explain.” Jake laughed. “The masks?”

“Was that the point of three? I thought it was to drive people to drink,” Kelly shot back.

“Little known fact, Halloween 3 was actually made by the liquor lobby.” Jake added. “So do you want to watch this movie or just hate on everything in the series starting from the very premise of the first film? Because I can just leave it paused and let you riff all night.”

“What are you talking about? I love these movies. I just enjoy making you crazy more.”

“Your life must be one unending party then.” Jake grinned. “But how do you still have new questions? We've watched all these movies at least twice. And each time you have a new stream of questions.

“You don't understand how I have questions?” Kelli raised her eyebrows. “There's a thorn cult, then there's not a thorn cult. Michael kills his sister, then Laurie is his other sister, then she's not his sister at all.”

“Okay.” Jake nodded. “You’re right. I retract my complaint.”

“And that's not even getting into the Rob Zombie reboot.”

“What reboot?” Jake opened his eyes wide.

“The one that we saw at the campus theater in college. The one we would have asked for a refund for if it hadn’t been free?”

“I have no idea what you're talking about. What's a Rob Zombie? I think I'm going to have to give Dr. Loomis a call; you're talking crazy.”

“Oh, shut up!” Kelli threw a kernel of popcorn that hadn’t popped at him.

“Oww.” Jake frowned. “That’s spousal abuse.”

“I’ll show you spousal abuse.” Kelli gave him a mock glare.

“Oh, will you? I’d like to see that.” Jake’s grin was wicked and he leaned in close. “I do have to admit I have a pressing question myself.” His voice was a whisper against her skin.