A Motley Crew

 Kids assembled, we do a line-up before marching out the door.  Our block relatively quiet for trick-or-treaters as there are older couples sans children.  We head for the honey-pot or a street where the neighbors compete for the best affects.  Antony, for instance, an actor on a popular T.V. show who blacks out his house and wires the front for sound - howling wind and ghoulish cackles .. the kids gather at his door and slowly it opens .. opens .. and then his grey hand and a blood soaked shirt appear ..finally a face .. eyes glassed over - extends a gruesome box of various candies.  We adults giggle nervously and the kids bolt, screaming - especially the under 6's.  Bravo!  Another house with a long black tent inviting the kids into darkness and .. who knows? Even Eitan hesitates before the over-riding need for more sweets overcomes his inhibition.  There are many well-carved pumpkins and the kids move from house to house just like Charlie Brown.  In our crew, as can be seen, we have a dalmation, Dr Death, Dracula and Madeleine, with a spike in her head.  She and Eitan argue about the make-up, which he somehow feels rightly his until I point out that his Bart mask does not allow for it.  Anthony joins us and afterwards we have dinner and drink red wine, eventually watching a couple of episodes of 'Mad Men' before bed.  All together, a good night in London.

Me: "What does Hallowe'en mean to you you?"

Madeleine: "Treats, candy, having fun."

Me: "Anything else?"

Madeleine: "Can I eat my candy now?"