The wife had warned me Trick or Treaters might start arriving before she got home from work. Apparently the town was having the kids all gather at the Rec Center at five o'clock before heading out to hit the streets. With the Town's party set to start at seven o'clock.

By five-twelve I was ready.

As were the heelers.

At five-twenty the doorbell rang. And I opened it to find...

The Trick or Treaters.

Not some of the Trick or Treaters.

All of them. The Town sent the kiddies out en masse!!

I didn't have time to check costumes, or even count heads. I just know we had a lot. There was nothing in our witch's cauldron when I was done except a few rolls of Smarties.

Efficient, yes. Especially for the town cop escorting the mob.

But it kinda cheated the wife of her fun, because trick or treating was done by five-thirty at our house. There was nobody left to impress with her new vampire canines.