Moncton — As the ever-present threat of COVID-19 continues to loom over our daily lives, many have found that our favourite traditions don’t have the same flair they used to. For 23-year-old Alexis Wilkinson, Halloween has always been something to look forward to, but the year’s events have “taken all the fun out of it.”
“It just doesn’t feel right,” she said, as a news report showing 1,000 new Canadian infections played on the television behind her. “I don’t have the same ‘spooky’ feeling I usually have around this time of year.”
The Manatee accompanied Wilkinson as she ran errands and complained about the lack of Halloween spirit.
“Look,” she said, gesturing to a row of boarded-up storefronts along Main Street. “Not a single Halloween decoration.”
Eventually finding a Starbucks that was still open, she wandered in and ordered herself a pumpkin spice latte.
“That’ll be $8.12,” said the barista, before looking from side to side and leaning over the counter. “But I’ll trade you for a roll of toilet paper.”
“No, no, I’ve got cash,” she said, digging into her purse and handing him a $10 bill. “Although frankly, I don’t know why I bother buying these. They just don’t taste the same this year, you know?”
“It’s because all our nutmeg supply has been diverted into making mace to suppress protesters,” said the barista. “Of course, it’s the wrong kind of mace, but the Trump administration doesn’t know the difference.”
“Yeah…just doesn’t taste the same this year,” Wilkinson repeated, smacking her lips distastefully.
Coffee in hand, she exited onto the street while a horde of pale, sickly figures in masks wandered aimlessly around her.
“Man, I wish Halloween could be scary again,” she said, shaking her head.