Dark October

Well, that's all I got.

I do not get paid enough to deal with this shit.

Hello?

Hey, what are you up to?

- I'm sure a lot more than your lazy ass is doing.

Hey, listen. I've had a day from hell.

That's your excuse every day.

Now, if I had to guess, you're sitting at your desk

with your feet propped up and a vodka bottle

is probably not that far away from you.

You know me so well.

So, what are you up to?

- I'm at the market picking up some wine for later.

- Do you think you can pick me up another bottle of vodka?

- You still owe me from the last bottle I bought you.

Come on. You know I'm good for it.

Mm-hmm.

- So do you think Piper is enjoying her birthday present?

I'm actually gonna give her a call

to see how it's coming.

Skylar, drinking on the job again?

- Um, Maddie, I'm gonna have to call you back.

I mean your sales,

Frank down in accounting,

he's on my back.

I'm in charge of the sales floor here.

What am I supposed to do?

- Listen, just get off my back for one day.

I'm having a bad day.

- I'm having a bad day 'cause I have to deal with you.

I need more out of you.

Do you need to find another job?

Do you need to go to Alcoholics Anonymous or something?

You know what? Maybe I do.

- Listen, I really need you to put, you know,

all your efforts into this.

I need you to get out there,

pound the pavement, get some new clients.

We have a ton of jewelry to sell.

This is a great opportunity, Skylar.

You know, it's almost Halloween,

and you know what's after Halloween?

The holidays, gift giving, Christmas.

Everybody's counting on our department, you know,

and we're not gonna make bonus for the holidays.

I really need your help here.

You know what?

I really never liked you,

but I do appreciate you giving me some leeway

and I'll try to cut back on the drinking,

but I'll make better sales if I do it while I'm drunk.

No, and you're gonna do it sober.

And I want a progress report from you every morning,

Monday through Friday at 9:00 AM.

So I have something to give to Frank.

And I'm taking this with me.

- Now I really need Maddie to get me that bottle.

What color did you wanna do?

Um, you can go ahead

and just pick out a purple color.

Okay.

Do you like this one?

- Yes, that's perfect. - Okay, awesome.

So it's your birthday. Do you have any plans?

- Oh, me and the girls are just going out later.

That'll be fun.

My friend from work actually invited me

to a birthday party for her cat tonight.

So I'm not sure if I'm gonna go to that yet or not.

That sounds very interesting.

- Yeah, not sure what that will all consist of.

Hold on one sec.

Okay.

Hello?

How's the pedi coming?

Oh, It's so relaxing.

I didn't realize how bad I needed this.

Well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself.

I so am.

If you think this is good,

just wait until tonight.

Wait, what do you mean?

Well, just look in your purse.

No fucking way.

You did not get us these tickets.

- I knew you really wanted them for your birthday.

Yeah, everyone knew I wanted them,

but Ghost Town Roadshow sold out

within minutes of going on sale.

These tickets are impossible to get.

Not when your bestie's a slut.

You didn't, you whore.

- Hey, the roadie was cute. The sex was great.

So technically, the tickets were a bonus.

Oh my God. You are so unbelievable.

But that's why I love you.

Oh, I love you too.

Now, make sure you message me when you get out of there

so we can get together for pre-birthday drinks.

- For sure. I'll message you as soon as I'm out of here.

Okay. See you soon.

Okay. Bye.

- Hi. - Hi.

$13.33.

Here you go.

Need a receipt?

- Nope, that's great. - Awesome.

- Thanks. - Have a good day.

You too.

- I can't believe you got tickets to that show tonight.

I really wanted to go so I'm really jealous.

I know, my friends spoil me so much.

What's your favorite song?

I love "Grim Reaper."

Oh, that's one of my favorites too.

Hey.

Hey, what's up?

Hey, so your next one canceled.

And then I was wondering if you were maybe

gonna make it to my cat party tonight.

What time was it again?

Like 5:00, 5:30.

- Okay, 'cause Josh wanted me to go to the mall with him.

So I don't think I'm gonna be able to make it.

Oh, well, if you get back in time

and you feel like coming, you can.

I got a catnip cake and a bouncy house,

um, and I got little hats too.

So I'll bring you one for your cat tomorrow,

if you want me to.

I'm sure he'd love that.

I'm sorry I can't come.

I just have to go to the mall to pick up

the new slasher movie, but next year, count me in.

Okay.

I'm not going to any cat party.

Excuse me.

I have a quick question.

Give me just one minute.

Okay.

Hello. Sorry about that.

Oh, oh, good.

So firstly, I wanted to say

this is the cutest bookstore I've ever been in.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

And second, so tonight, me and my friends are going to Salem

and I just wanted to brush up

on the town's local history and folklore.

So do you have anything like that?

Of course we do.

We have plenty of books on Salem.

You know, it's always nice to see young people

who are still interested in books.

Oh, I've always loved books

ever since I was a little girl.

Me too, I've always said that books

are like a window into a new world.

Oh, shoot.

What's this?

This isn't the book for you.

But why not?

This book is, it's special.

"Black Rainbow."

What kind of book is this?"

This is a book that's been written

by every person on earth.

Everyone's thoughts, dreams,

and fears make up "Black Rainbow."

Well what is "Black Rainbow" all about?

- It is a collection of all of the thoughts and vibrations

from every sentient being

that has ever wandered this dimension.

The information has been collected for millions of years

through a practice. that's known

as thought pattern extraction.

What is thought pattern extraction?

- Transdimensional fallen angels gather this data

without the consent of conscious beings

and place it into a collective that's known

as the "Black Rainbow" to be used later

in ancient blood rituals and cannibalistic sacrifices.

- And how does something like that end up here?

"Black Rainbow" is everywhere.

You just have to know where to find it.

No, no.

This isn't the book for you.

- Hey, do you have any books on the flat earth?

These books up here are on Salem.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Okay, thanks.

Hello.

Hey, where you at?

I'm at this really cute new bookstore.

A bookstore again, huh?

It's a wonder the boys on the football team

always call you bookworm Betty.

Yeah, well at least I didn't screw

the whole football team.

Okay.

Well I was just wondering if you were going