(Author's Note: Credit for this episode should go to the original author GoldenMane.)
"So, what are you coming as to Kim's party tonight?" Keith asked, as they walked into the mall.
George stopped. "She's having a party?"
"Yeah. It's a costume party. You mean she didn't tell you?"
"I guessed it must have slipped her mind." Yes, that's what happened, he rationalized. She wouldn't have forgotten to invite her own boyfriend. They had been dating for at least a year now and he hadn't strayed ... much, at least not to her knowledge. None of her friends knew anything or could find out, and none of his friends would tell. Still, he wondered. "Well, I guess I'll have to get a costume. What are you going as?"
"Oh, I'm coming as a vampire, nothing too extreme for me. I need to go off for a while and look for a present anyway." He paused, looking down at his watch. "Okay, it's three o'clock right now. Let's meet back here in about an hour so we can have time to get ready for the party."
Great. Now where was he going to find a costume on such short notice and in April for that matter? Well, might as well look around, he thought, sighing. As he rounded a corner, his eyes were immediately drawn to a sign above a small shop window that said SPELLS 'R US. Oh well, as good of a place to look as any.
Entering, he found the room to be larger than the storefront suggested. It was also cramped. as there were many shelves, boxes and cases that showed off the wares of the store. Suddenly an old man in a bathrobe appeared behind the counter. "Hello, George. Looking for anything special?"
"Why yes, I'm looking for a ... hey, how did you know my name?"
"You look like a George. Not enough of those old names around anymore. Now you have Blakes, Blairs, and Hunters. As you were saying?"
"Oh, yes. I'm looking for a costume for a party tonight. I know it's short notice, but I was hoping you would have some."
"Well, if you had a week or so, I could have gotten you any costume you wanted, but as it is, I don't know if I have any in stock. Let me go and check if I have any."
George watched as the old man disappeared behind a heavy, purple curtain and went into what he guessed was the storage area. What a weird guy, he thought. Nice, but weird. Just then, the old man returned with two large boxes in his hand. "Well, you're in luck. I had two costumes left in back. Not sure what's in them, found them under a pile of stuff." Opening up the first box revealed a large piece of white cloth, a pair of wings, and a miniature bow and arrow set. "Oh yes, a cupid costume. Had to put it in the back. No one seemed to want it. Don't know why, it's a perfectly fine costume."
The idea of walking around in a big diaper didn't appeal to him. "Um, let's see what's in the other box."
"Okay," the old man said, shrugging. As the lid of the second box was being opened, a smell of musk and sweat radiated from inside. Upon the removal of the lid, George could see some sort of thing made out of leopard-skin. The old man held it up for his inspection. It was actually a Tarzan costume. He remembered seeing the old movies and TV shows where the person playing Tarzan swung around on a jungle vine. However, it was way too big! It looked like it could have fit someone twice his height and depth. He looked down at his short, thin body. There's no way that it could fit. "Aah, this brings back memories. This is one of those Tarzan, King of the Apes costumes. Used to be real popular too."
"I don't think it would fit," George said.
"Oh, don't worry about that. It's one-size-fits-all. Come in the back, I'll let you try it on."
George followed him through the curtain and into what appeared to be a dressing room with mirrors on either wall. He decided he would go along with the poor old guy, just to humor him. There was no way it would fit.
"Here, take off your clothes and put this on."
George looked at him disbelievingly.
"Oh, alright. I'll go out front. Anyway, I think I heard someone come in," the old man said, as he exited and went to the front of the store.
George took off his clothes and put on the costume. God, it hung all the way down to his shin. He was about to take it off when he felt the costume tighten around him. Looking in the mirror, he gaped in shock. The costume hadn't shrunk, he had gotten bigger. He stood almost twice as tall and the costume was taut around his extremely muscular physique. He also grinned, as he noticed a large bulge at the bottom of the costume. He quickly took it off, got dressed, and walked to the front of the store. "I'll take it!"
"Are you sure you want it?" the old man asked. "I don't want any regrets."
"Yeah, of course I want it."
"Good. I'm glad to see you're satisfied."
"How much is it?"
"For you, since it was in the back, thirty dollars."
"Fair enough. Here you go," he said, handing him the money.
"Have a good time at the party, George."
"I will," he said, as he walked out of the store to meet Keith. No regrets? A weird guy, but he was nice enough.
