"How to Stop a Pixie" "The best way to stop a pixie is with a mirror," the lovely young girl informed me as she adjusted her glittering scarves tied carefully across her breasts and hips, leaving her waist and shoulders bare. Her hair glinted with butterflies and there were green wings painted near her eyes. Had I woken up in William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"? No, I was at Midnight Special Bookstore on the Friday after Hallowe'en, and some people just need to express themselves. Another woman dressed as a turquoise-gowned courtesan from Moulin Rouge complete with a roll of bills tucked into her cleavage even affected a decent French accent. Most of us did not come in costume, unless you count the masks we all put on when we leave the house and enter the world each day. Wayman Barnes in de riguer black, told us all how much he likes fried chicken. And I suffered the dreaded harpie-like keening of the Five Minute Alarm just as I was about to speak the final lynch-pin line of my poem. I always figure time is flexible - it slips; it slides; a minute can be an hour and vice versa. But not at Midnight Special. When our dear host Rev. Dave grinned at me, I knew that true democracy means no exceptions for anyone, not even me. There were 25 readers and about 50 total audience members including those standing in the back. I left with an inexplicable urge to don rainbow eye make-up and peacock feathers before hunkering down over some good Southern fried chicken. If the talent isn't enough to keep you there, the drawing at the end for two $10 gift certificates for Midnight Special Books will. Alas, I did not win this time but Raymond, aka The Exorcist, walked away smiling with one of them clutched tightly in his hands.
Fridays, sign-up 7:30pm, starts promptly at 8, five minute rule - they mean it.
