Haunt: Volume 2

Lorina Gingham's Last Night at Cult Evermind (Part 2 of 4)

Weekend Two, Friday Night, continued

September 23, 2022

Fitted into a floor-length, deep purple robe with a vast hood, Lorina then went to wait in the line for makeup. She swished back and forth in the robe, examining its color and clinginess. It wasn't a sexy or feminine costume, but she mustn't be disappointed. As an "extra," she was coming to the rescue. So had said Brenda.

While in the line, Lorina listened in wonder as others chattered incessantly. Most of them talked about school, work, or their parents. Still, there were quiet mutterings about a person called Snapper who had eaten someone alive and strenuous complaints about the price of mini-tacos at the snack bar, which were 50 cents more this year.

At last, Lorina was summoned into the makeup chair by a fascinating woman with purple hair like cotton candy and heavy black eyeliner like Cleopatra, though her nametag said she was Delilah.

"Hey, cool!" said Delilah, surveying Lorina's face. "I haven't gotten to do a Cultist yet. There aren't very many of you, huh?" She flipped through a makeup guidebook fast, examined the Evermind face chart and said, "Oh, shoot, this is awfully simple. We just have to black your eyes. Then your house manager will give you a mirror mask."

"Oh," sighed Lorina. Rows and rows of interesting-looking people were sprayed with exciting designs, plastered with gruesome latex and blood. "The other makeup looks so fun."

"I know, right? But there's upsides to simple. I can get you done quick, you can head out, Jackie's happy with how quick the line's going, and you won't have to eff around with latex and prosthetics. Now close your eyes, turn your head like this for me; I'm gonna do you a favor and give you cooling spray. It's great on a day like this."

"Thank you. Perhaps I'll be an extra in a different house tomorrow night."

"Yeah, maybe so. Close your eyes, please." A fine, cool mist sprayed over Lorina's face. "So...are you doing an accent for your character? Or is that how you talk?"

Delilah asked this so casually that Lorina could not take offense. "Why yes," she said. "I'm British."

"No shit? Keep your eyes closed, okay? I don't want to get black paint in those baby blues. So how did a British girl get to be in Kansas City, Missouri?"

Lorina's mind skipped a beat. She felt her lungs constrict. Then she began to babble. "Well, there was a commotion and I had no control over it at all. There were promises made, but they lied to me. They said if I did well, I could have my things back, and I did everything I was asked to do, but it was as if everyone forgot what they'd said - I had no visitors - I had no way of letting anyone know - and I hadn't seen my parents in ages."

Delilah said nothing, and with her eyes closed, Lorina might have believed the makeup artist was gone, except for the steady hiss of the makeup wand and the cool spray of paint across her face.

She collected herself. It was easier to do with eyes closed. "So you see, I'm a sort of ambassador. My family in London is rather important. Liaisoning with the United States is a duty that has fallen to me, and I must make the best of it for the sake of my family."

"Yeah, that's complicated. You know, sometimes all a woman can do is her best and show them that they can't break you down. I hope it works out for you," said Delilah. "I'd say use Haunt to have fun. Pretend you're someone else for a few hours. That's why almost everyone is here, you know?"

Happiness washed through Lorina. Delilah was so awfully nice; she made Lorina feel calm, which was quite unusual. People always pressed her with uncomfortable questions that demanded she prove her claims. But at Haunt, one could say anything, and nobody minded.