the red rubber devil mask

This is an excerpt from my published paperback novel, BAD MOVIES

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Oh, just wondering if that guy in the rubber mask came back. It was a devil mask."

"A guy in a mask? Here?" I gasped. "Nooo!"

"Yeah," Andernach said. "A rubber mask of a red devil. He was just standing over there, like a weird fan or something. Oddly he seemed to be following you. And then a van pulled up and he got in and went away, but it was really weird, like he didn't like the van. I hope he's gone."

My heart leapt with fear. I smiled bravely. Perhaps I was too dressed up to feel real fear. "Probably just a fan. Are you sure it wasn't a green zombie mask or a clown mask?"

"No. A red devil; why?"

"Those masks cost money," I said. "Maybe he owns a mask shop."

"What?" Andernach asked.

I shrugged in confusion. "Somebody out there who is a drug dealer or psycho killer fan or something nerdy or scary, likes rubber monster masks. It was a guy in a rubber monster mask that killed Snako. I bet it was the rubber clown that killed Mr. Gilbore. I just know it! And a guy in a green mask was at my movie premiere, just being creepy. He came outside to look at me!"

"Is he after you?" Andernach asked.

"If he is," I said, "Then he's pretty dumb."

"How?"

"Well, I'm still here, aren't I?" I declared in stunning logic. "Still, I have the creeps."

Andernach looked around. "Let's get out of here before he comes back."

"First, take a few quick pictures of me. Then the evening won't be a total loss for us. And make it quick!"

He quickly looked around for ideas. "Why don't you jump into the fountain and do one of those Parisian splashing around things?"

"Are you kidding?" I shook my head. "This gown weighs a ton. I'd drown."

He looked curiously at my dress. "How can you sit in that thing without getting dents in your butt?"

I shrugged. The ride over had been hell. But I didn't say a word.

"What are all those rocks?"

"Turquoise! Can't you tell turquoise when you see it?"