Due South Flashfiction Community

This is about the second little story i've ever posted anywhere. Where I grew up, Mischief Night is the night before Halloween. I hope that counts. and no, i wasn't allowed out on Mischief Night. thanks for reading.

Ray knew it was cruel, but in a cruel to be kind way. Yeah, right. He just loved yanking Fraser’s chain. Fraser was frowning at him; Ray could almost see the gears turning in Fraser’s brain. Ray knew Fraser was trying to figure out if he should be stern, or if Ray was just joking. Of course, the cool thing was, he wasn’t joking. Ray sprawled out a little more in his chair, hands behind his back.

“Yes, Fraser, there is an American holiday that revolves around vandalism. And yes, it is called Mischief Night. And yes, I have indeed done such loathsome deeds as pour Fruit Loops all over the grass on a rainy night so the yard looked tie-dyed the next morning, wrap toilet paper around all the trees in a neighbor’s yard, and yes, even put Oreo cookies, filling side down, all over the windows of a car. It’s a tradition where kids get to get even with evil adults. Well, that's what we said in our neighborhood, anyway.”

"Ray, actually, there is a similar night in England and in parts of Canada. Well, I've heard of such a thing, anyway. It was not practiced where I was raised." Fraser just shook his head and grinned. “And just how did your father react when he found out about your delinquent activities?”

Ray cocked a grin back at his partner. “Who says he found out? I was good at being a juvenile delinquent. Although old Lady Ludwiczak did find me one year while I was soaping her windows. I had to promise to come back the next day to wash all her windows and clean out her shed. But she didn’t rat me out to my dad!”

“Ray, why are you telling me about Mischief Night? Surely you have outgrown the need to fill a tree with toilet paper. I’m positive you would consider depositing Oreo cookies on a car a waste of perfectly good chocolate. And our neighbors have been wonderfully gracious to us, now that we’ve broken their habit of spying on us. There’s no need to get even with anyone.” Fraser stood and began unfastening the collar of his Serge jacket.

“Hmm, yes, I can think of better things to do with Oreos. I was just giving you fair warning, Benton-Buddy. There’s someone I do need to be getting even with.” Ray rose from his seat, pulled out a can of whipped cream and stepped toward Fraser. Fraser stepped back.

“The uniform, Ray. Do not be disrespectful to the Serge.” Fraser started moving further away from Ray, trying hard not to laugh at the site of Ray brandishing a can of whipped cream as if it were a weapon. When Ray did not desist, Fraser's smile left his face and he took another step back.

“I’d be moving faster than that if you don’t want to be taking the Serge to the cleaners tomorrow, buddy. My favorite Mischief Night prank was spreading whipped cream wherever I could reach. And I’m thinking I have lots of reasons to get even with you. Why just yesterday you told Welch…”

Fraser had taken off for the bedroom before Ray finished his warning. Ray held off for a few seconds, to give his partner time to get at least the uniform off. Cruel to be kind was one thing, having to explain whipped cream all over the Serge to the Ice Queen, well, that was just another thing all together.

Ray sauntered into their bedroom, whipped cream at the ready. Mischief Night was so much more fun in the comfort of one’s home.