She Was Warned
The officer warned the woman more than once not to wear the costume to the party. He didn’t think she would still do it but she stubbornly insisted.
When she tried the officer’s patience by showing up at the party wearing the costume he had warned her not to, she didn’t know how badly this would end for her.
She Wasn’t Listening
The policeman tried to prevent an unpleasant situation by warning the woman against wearing the costume. He had hoped she would listen.
He knew exactly the kind trouble this would cause and hoped that it could be avoided. Because he had met the woman before, however, he knew that there was a danger she would go ahead with her plans anyway.
Candy And Fun
Halloween night in the quiet town of Wimberly was usually quiet for Officer Daniel McCall, who had spent years patrolling the town. The residents were usually at parties or trick-or-treating on Halloween.
However, this year was different and he was sent to investigate a noise complaint in a quiet neighborhood. He could never have guessed what would be waiting there for him.
The Party Gets Loud
Officer McCall braced himself as he got ready to step out of his patrol car at the address he’s been dispatched to. He could hear how loud the party was and he knew he was probably stepping into a chaotic scene.
The partygoers had all had quite a bit to drink and the music was loud. Officer McCall did not want to spoil their fun, it was Halloween after all, but he would have to ask them to turn the noise levels down a little.
Stepping In
Officer McCall fixed his hat and stepped into the fray, getting ready for the inevitable jokes about his ‘cop costume’. This is what happened every Halloween and he was expecting more of the same.
What he did encounter, however, was completely unexpected. A rowdy fight had erupted and the revelers were throwing punches and obscenities around.
How It Began
Officer McCall’s tall figure commanded attention as he made his way into the chaotic brawl. He manages to separate the fighting parties and issue warnings to them to keep them apart.
This was not the end of it for Officer McCall, however. Once the crowd had dispersed, leaving McCall standing amidst a mess of spilled drink, make-up and remnants of costumes, his night took a turn.
Another Rowdy Party
As he regained his composure, another message came over the radio. It was another disturbance at another Halloween party in a different part of town.
He resignedly got back into his car. This was all perfectly normal for Halloween, but the rushing around between different parts of town to quiet down unruly party goers could be tiring.
What Next?
Officer McCall was happy about the way he had managed the previous disturbance as he made his way to the next. All was quiet after his invention at the previous party and calm had been restored.
McCall sometimes felt torn between his compassion and understanding for the town’s people and his responsibilities as a police officer. As he made his way to the next disturbance, he pondered about the challenges of his job.
Another Party
Officer McCall quickly made his way to the house on the outskirts of town that the latest complaint was about.
As he drew closer to the house, he started feeling a strong sense of déjà vu. This location was almost an exact copy of where he had just come from, completely with noisy guests, costumes and loud music. Except for one thing …
A Bigger One
The major difference between this party and the previous one is that this one was much bigger. But, like the previous one, there was loud music and the costumes were colorful. Like the first party, this was a mash of costumes, party cups, loud music, and colorful strobe lights. But unlike the last party, this one was bigger.
The crowd opened up for the policeman as he waded through the crowd and they recognized him. He had no idea what to expect and hoped fervently that he would be the same level of cooperation from this crowd as from the last.
Inside The House
Officer McCall asked for the house owner, eager to have a quick chat with them. Typically, the host usually melted before him, agreeing to turn down the music.
But given the size of this party, McCall feared this wouldn't be the case. He took a deep breath and walked to the MC, whispering into his ear. "Can you please call the host for me?"
Waiting For The Host
Officer McCall was as polite as possible, a proper contrast to what people might have expected of him, given his size and height. He stepped back, arms crossed above his chest as he waited for the MC to call the host.
It didn't take long before the host was standing before the officer. She was a middle-aged woman with one of those expensive asymmetrical haircuts. Her costume looked bespoke, with high-end finishes. Would she listen to the officer and keep her party tame?
Talking To Her
Although Officer McCall never judged people based on their looks, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive about the host. She had that air of importance around her, like she was better than everyone else at the party.
"My, my," she whispered as she got close. Her lips were a deep red, and she’d painted her face to resemble a cat. "You either have the coolest costume, or you are here to put me in cuffs," she said.
Down To Business
"Hoping it doesn't get to that, ma'am," Officer McCall answered, gently offering his hand in greeting. He wasted no time getting right to business.
"We've been getting a number of complaints from your neighbors that the music is too loud, and your guests are too rowdy," he said. But he wasn't ready for the woman's answer.
Looking At Things Objectively
"Halloween only happens once a year, Officer," the woman said, her voice dripping with a dangerous sultriness. "Just a night out of three hundred and sixty-five," she continued. "Can't we get a night?"
McCall had always been a laid-back officer. He understood the woman's point of view. A night out of three hundred and sixty-five was fair. But he also understood that the woman's house was smack in the middle of another high-end residential area where safety, peace, and quiet were favored above all else.
Laying It On The Table
"I get that," the officer said. "But you live next to families with kids and the elderly. Most of those folks need their good night's rest. They have parents who need to wake up early tomorrow, too."
He looked around, "Imagine if you were trying to sleep, but your neighbor is blasting Nickleback at midnight with their friends shouting at the top of their lungs." It was then that the woman with the costume crossed his vicinity.
Coming To An Understanding
"I'm not saying you shut down the party," McCall said, his attention elsewhere. "Just keep it in control. I would hate to be the one to shut down such a wonderful occasion."
He'd offered to meet the woman halfway because such massive parties usually got shut down completely. If the woman could promise to keep everything tame, she and her friends could party till morning. She agreed, though reluctantly, and the officer walked off.
The Woman With The Costume
Officer McCall walked onto the dance floor, crossing it as fast as he could to get to the woman with the costume. People in creative get-ups danced and laughed, embracing the spirit of the holiday.
But as he scanned the scene, his attention was drawn to a woman who stood out from the rest. She was dressed as a 30-story condo building, complete with miniature cranes and bulldozers. But it didn't stop there.
An Odd Choice Of A Costume
Her outfit was a bizarre amalgamation of various characters and symbols over the cranes and bulldozers. McCall couldn't quite make sense of it, but what caught his attention was a small, inconspicuous emblem on her chest – a symbol he recognized all too well.
His heart skipped a beat as he realized the emblem represented the controversial 30-story condo project. This woman had taken the concept of a costume to a whole new level. It was as if she had merged the condo building with various aspects of the town's history and culture.
Her Explanation
Officer McCall approached the woman, his curiosity piqued. He heard one of her friends telling her how her costume was quite an “unusual design."
The woman turned to him with a mischievous grin. "Oh, this costume is a work of art, a statement, a protest, and a tribute all in one. You see, I believe in the future of this town, and I think this condo project can coexist with our history and traditions."
He Knows Her
While there was nothing wrong with the woman's costume in a normal setting, the officer knew it meant trouble because of who was wearing it.
McCall couldn't help but recognize her – Sarah Edwards, a passionate environmental activist who had been a vocal opponent of the construction of the 30-story condo building on the outskirts of town. The project had been a source of controversy, and Sarah had led protests against it, advocating for the preservation of the town's natural beauty.
She Was Engaged In A Heated Debate
The officer pretended not to know Sarah, who was still engaged in a heated debate with partygoers about the condo project. He saw she was the source of the commotion he'd gotten the call for. He cleared his throat to get her attention.
"Sarah Edwards?" he asked, trying to hide his surprise. She turned to him, her costume glaring at him like a symbol of defiance. "Officer McCall, what brings you here tonight?"
It's Her
Ignoring the partygoers who had started to gather around, Officer McCall explained, "I received a complaint about a disturbance, and it seems like you're causing quite a commotion here."
Sarah smirked beneath her condo-themed costume. "I'm just expressing my First Amendment rights, Officer. We have to stand up against this condo monstrosity somehow."
You Need A Permit
McCall sighed, remembering a previous encounter during one of the protests. "You know, Sarah, we've been through this before. Wearing that costume is considered a form of protest, and you need a permit for that."
Sarah's expression hardened. "Permits are just a way to silence us. We shouldn't have to ask for permission to speak out against injustice."
The Rules Are Clear
McCall nodded, hoping not to escalate the issue further. But he knew the rules were clear. "I'm sorry, but I have to take you into custody. It's my duty."
Sarah sighed but complied, knowing she couldn't argue her way out of it. As Officer McCall handcuffed her, he explained the potential consequences. "You could be fined up to $500 for this, Sarah."
People Take Notice
As they returned to his patrol car, Sarah's costume drew more attention, and people in the crowd began to take notice of her arrest. They shouted words of support, and some even began to chant slogans against the condo project. McCall could feel the tension rising.
But as they reached his car, Officer McCall hesitated. It was Halloween night, after all, a time for costumes and fun. McCall was torn between enforcing the law and appreciating the creativity and message behind the woman's costume. He had a decision to make, one that would test his resolve.
An Act Of Kindness
He decided to offer Sarah a small act of kindness, a gesture of goodwill. He unlocked the handcuffs and said, "You know what, Sarah? Consider this a Halloween gift. Go enjoy your party, but please, keep it peaceful."
Sarah looked at him, surprised. "You're letting me go?" McCall nodded. "With a stern warning, though. I think we both know the real fight is out there, not here at a Halloween party. Just remember you need a permit for this costume."
Thank You
Sarah smiled, grateful for the leniency. "Thank you, Officer McCall. I'll remember this." As Sarah rejoined the party, the crowd cheered, and Officer McCall watched her disappear into the sea of costumes and revelry.
He couldn't help but hope that the passion and determination she displayed in her activism would one day bring about the change she sought for their beloved town. But this wasn't over yet.
A Ripple Through Town
Officer McCall knew what he'd done here would ripple through the town. He'd get calls in the morning over what had occurred. He hoped Sarah would get a permit for her costume if she planned on wearing it again.
He watched her surface from the sea of merrymakers. Her face was lost in a smile as she talked and expressed herself. But the officer could help but wonder if he had made a good call tonight.
Pay It Forward
As the night drew to a close, Officer McCall watched the people of his town come together in their diverse and imaginative costumes to celebrate their town and its future.
Halloween had always held a special place in his heart, which is why he let Sarah go with a warning. He hoped she'd pay his good deed forward. To him, that is what Halloween is all about. Well, that and the candy.