Story: How Spooky Got His Cap
Added 2015-02-21 03:06:29 +0000 UTCFrom the August 12th issue of The New Amsterdamer, “Talk About Town” section: GHOSTS Spooky Jones strode into the bustling cafe bundled up with his reversed baseball cap, hoodie and Burberry trench, as oblivious to the 85 degree SoCal city heat as he seemed to be to the sudden appearance of mobile phones, all desperate to capture this rare daytime sighting. As young women (and more than a few young men) tittered and Twittered with excitement nearby, he slid into his seat. An iced mocha appeared in front of him, delivered without a word by the owner’s teenage son, Haiko. Spooky is a regular at the Devil’s Bean Café, but only after hours. “I’m more of a night person,” he said, a bit rakish. “It’s part of the job.” That job, of course, would be vanquishing demons and rescuing abducted children, a mission Spooky Jones has pursued with no small notoriety since he was 14 years old. Today he was going to take a reporter to see his office. “I’ve had to put magical protections in place, so people need to stay pretty close to me when we walk over. And they aren’t able to remember how we got there.” An eye blink later, he was standing in front of a lonely door set in long, windowless hallway. Written on the glass: “Spooky Jones, Occult Investigations.” This was the first time an outsider had seen where he worked. The magic was effective; his office really could be anywhere. He withdrew a key from his coat, and stepped into a small room with an empty receptionist’s desk. Apparently, it had been empty for some time. “There was a woman who worked for me four years ago. But not anymore.” A shadow crossed his face. “I work alone now.” Another key opened a second door behind where she had sat. It led into an office worthy of Humphrey Bogart: a metal desk with mounds of loose files, a wooden swivel chair, a leather couch, a 1940s filing cabinet. The air itself seemed to have a sepia tinge. On top of the cabinet perched the only artifact from our modern era: a baseball cap, identical to the one he was wearing. “Stone gave me two, in case one got lost.” Stone Williams was the creator of the animated, 13-episode Spooky Adventures, a cult phenomenon that drove the boy demon-fighter’s legend deep into the hearts of 12-year-olds throughout the world. Despite weak initial ratings, its popularity was guaranteed by the tut-tutting of media pundits and concerned parents who considered the content far too adult for children. Being brave enough to make it through an entire episode without covering your eyes continues as a rite of passage among Facebooking tweens. “A lot of people think I started wearing the cap to promote the show. But actually, it’s sort of the other way around.” A framed picture of Stone stands watch at the corner of the desk, a Hollywood headshot that captures the then-21-year-old’s sad, grey eyes. It’s the only part of the desk not overrun with loose paper. “We actually met on a case, three years ago. His younger brother had just disappeared after getting mixed up with some bad people. Stone didn’t have any other family, so he was willing to try anything to find him. He’d heard about me from someone else I’d helped.” Stone’s parents had themselves disappeared under mysterious circumstances ten years before. “There tends to be a lot of connections with this stuff,” Spooky said, his eyes dark. He removed a thick folder from the top drawer of the filing cabinet. Other folders had precisely typed labels, each with a three digit number followed by a last name, a system set up by the long-absent assistant. This folder’s label was handwritten and merely said “Stone.” “The case was very complicated. Harder than any I had tried to solve before. We worked together closely for weeks at a time, through the night mostly. We’d come close to finding an answer, and then it would just slip away.” Boyish amusement lit up Spooky’s face. “With the way I dressed, he said I looked like an anime character, and with him being an artist, he would draw sketches to deal with the stress while we worked.” Inside the folder were dozens of pages covered with cap-and-trenchcoat-wearing cartoon ghosts in various action and comedy poses. The Spooky Ghost character on the first pages were drawn quite rough, but within ten pages had settled with confidence into the now-famous design. The pages in the middle of the stack included poses of the Ghost shirtless, and towards the end, many showed the cartoon Ghost nude and well-endowed. If Spooky was embarrassed by this, it didn’t show. “He always got a kick out of the fact I wore a baseball cap everywhere, even in church. By this point, reporters were getting interested in me, even more than before I guess, and there’d be these long articles about what it meant that I was wearing a 49ers cap or whatever. Really, I’d just bought the cheapest cap at the airport to keep my head warm. “My friends celebrate the day I returned like my birthday, and Stone wanted to give me a gift that he knew I’d use. So, he had two of these caps made. I magicked them so they couldn’t get burned or ripped. It was after I’d been seen wearing them for a couple months that Stone got asked to pitch a cartoon to the network guys.” Stone Williams disappeared after the final digital production files for Episode 13 had been delivered to the Animation Network. He hasn’t been seen since. “I tried everything I knew, but the leads on Stone’s brother eventually ran cold. I solve a lot of cases, and I know if I hadn’t gotten involved those kids would be dead or worse, but with what I do… There’s not always a happy ending. “I was willing to keep going, but it had been over a year, and Stone said he had found some peace in knowing we’d tried as hard as we did. He said he wanted to focus on the next season of Spooky Adventures, and so he took me off the case. A week later he was gone.” Doesn’t wearing the cap remind him of the loss of his friend? “No, no. It doesn’t make me sad. It gives me hope.” That he might find Stone someday? He shakes his head again. “Wearing it gives me hope that I’ll be able to find *all* of them someday.” The smile that rises on his face is far subtler than the broad grin of a pure white cartoon ghost, but somehow, it still seems brighter. —Lindsay Powers
Comments
Thank you, GOT! I liked using it just for that reason. Glad that worked for you. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-04-02 02:31:57 +0000 UTCI really liked the framing device for this story. Seeing it as a written article and not just a narrative from a character's perspective was really cool to see, and gave way more insight into the world they live in than we would've gotten otherwise.
Passthecass
2015-04-01 19:30:03 +0000 UTCSince it looks like the Patreon site is now adding weird question marks all throughout this post, I think I should. I'm about to have to take on a big day-job job to make rent. But I'll try to get on that tonight...
Alex Woolfson
2015-03-10 01:20:46 +0000 UTCDo you plan to make this downloadable via a pdf file?
Tahir Raines
2015-03-10 01:18:32 +0000 UTCNope, DBC is its own independent coffee shop. And yes, we'll be hearing about the "cute demon" later on. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 17:16:46 +0000 UTCDoes Devil's Beans Cafe have any afiliation with Coffee of Doom? So this story is not where Alex makes good his promise of more info about the "cute demon" from the bonus comic. Maybe he will come though the gate?
Klaus
2015-02-22 14:13:50 +0000 UTCThank you, Chris. Your thoughtful reaction here has put a big smile on my face. (And don't worry, I haven't forgotten about the cute demon boy either...)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:42:05 +0000 UTCSpooky really likes hugs. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:40:35 +0000 UTCWhat an awesome compliment, Clio. Thank you for letting me know specifically what you liked about this. And yep, part of the fun of world building is to answer questions while hopefully raising even more interesting ones... ;)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:34:57 +0000 UTCThank you so much! And yes, Spooky is a hard man to keep down for long. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:33:29 +0000 UTCThank you, Rhys! Coming from you, that means a lot to me! :D
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:33:01 +0000 UTCThank you for such a thoughtful response, Feverfew. Very happy you liked this! And LOL. I'll see what I can do about the samples. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-22 03:30:49 +0000 UTCFinally had lovely uninterrupted time to really enjoy this. I loved that it's much more about Spooky, than plot. Although there is a very intriguing idea in there about a best friend and his family being targeted by something that can make them disappear. A whole family. A special friend of Spooky's. Now that's curious. Another story, though. I love the Raymond Chandler noir feeling. It fits Spooky Jones so perfectly. A man who has had to literally build his new self (post hell) from the ground up. It makes such lovely sense that he builds a life about finding and helping those missing, lost, taken. Who better than him knows about finding yourself taken and feeling that no one is coming to save you. Amazing that he was strong enough to take that nightmare and transform it into something great value to other victims. This was a lovely appetizer to future Spooky stories. Seeing him outside his TYP self and into his 'adult' life. Thank you Alex and don't think for a moment that I've forgotten his cute demon boy. Now where, oh where, has he stashed that attractive fellow? LOL. Great stuff. Thanks.
Chris Dangerfield
2015-02-21 18:57:07 +0000 UTCAw, that was brilliant, love!
2015-02-21 18:21:52 +0000 UTCLove, love, love this! So many things about this appeal to me; how this is framed as a journalistic piece, the vivid glimpse into Spooky's world, the way it raises as many questions as it answers. You certainly know how to entice a reader into the universes you create, Alex, and most definitely know how to make them want to stay, even as you show them the door--for now. I will be happy to keep coming back for more, as long as you have so many fascinating tales to tell. :-D
Clio Henry
2015-02-21 18:06:56 +0000 UTCOh, I second Sofia on this! Your writing style translates so well to a short prose format. I loved reading this story -- it was the key piece that tipped me over into becoming a patron instead of just supporting through kickstarter. I love that you're doing more with the Patreon format than most creators that I've seen using it (i.e. only posting lineart or pages early). This sort of additional world-building enriches the main story so much, and I'm sure I speak for all of us TYP fans when I say it gives an extra special connection to the characters! Thank you, and Adam and Vera, for giving us such an amazing story, in all of its forms, week in and week out!
Goodyear
2015-02-21 13:22:39 +0000 UTCThat was so heartwarming and sad at the same time - now I want to Spooky-hug™ Spooky.
2015-02-21 12:56:12 +0000 UTCSo much depth behind a silly little cap, and so much tragedy behind an easy smile. It is like, taking on these cases, he is always going to carry the burden of these peoples' fates, especially when he is not able to help. And all the while he still seems very genuine when he is all easy-going, or flirty, or supportive. Spooky is an amazingly strong character, not to break under his own experiences and those of others. Thanks for the insight, Alex. Loved this little glimpse into Spooky's world. ((I'd also really like to know more about those well-endowed ghost-cartoon nudes that came up. Preferably with samples... ;D))
2015-02-21 11:13:31 +0000 UTCBrilliant. I love Spooky's optimism despite everything.
2015-02-21 11:10:56 +0000 UTCI love that the secret power of the cap is connected to human emotion rather than something supernatural. Excellent story, Alex. I really like your writing style in prose too.
2015-02-21 11:03:46 +0000 UTCI'm glad you enjoyed it, Jack. And there's lots more to share about our friend Spooky. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 10:27:56 +0000 UTCalex, being a person of a certain age, and then some, i had no trouble visualizing the mise-en-scene. it is muddied a bit by some carol burnett sketches that envisioned it much as the noir films did, including the fan with the blades that could slice a salami, but bogart and his trusty fedora, and the current dame in distress all came to mind. well done. now, the cap interests me less than the complex psyche that can carry all that loss and still function in this capacity. we need a story telling how spooky learns to compartmentalize loss.
Jack Smythe
2015-02-21 10:22:19 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome, Cindy! I'm very happy you liked it. And that it gives you more to look forward to. This was a lot of fun for me to write, so I hope to get the chance to do more. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 09:54:16 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome, Hours. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And it's not at all weird that you have some questions about what happened to the receptionist; there's of course a story there that I look forward to telling some day. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 09:53:09 +0000 UTCThank you, Jules! I'm very glad you think so! :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 09:51:16 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome, Nadin. Thank you for the kind words and such a thoughtful reaction. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 09:50:47 +0000 UTCSpooky Jones is known by no other name than Spooky Jones.
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 09:45:14 +0000 UTCQuestion though: is Spooky Jones is real name, or was that a name he picked after surviving the Hell trip? On the bonus comic, Commander said that he didn't remember his name? <a href="http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/archive/ete-bonus1-page-15/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://webcomics.yaoi911.com/archive/ete-bonus1-page-15/</a>
K
2015-02-21 08:32:22 +0000 UTCI just love it! We all see mostly our very confident Spooky who faced lots of misery for sure but never lost his composure (at least not in front of others... yet) and stays positive all the time. I loved the subtle way of how we had very short insights of him being maybe a little regretful because of people he couldn't protect. At how obliged he feels about them, how focused on not giving up on them and on his very stubbornness to do so instead of turning to misery. We all knew he is indeed very serious but is just as talented to not show it, playing a part in a way to not worry others and stayhis usual cool self. Seeing hints of shadows over his face when talking about certain topics or people was a new thing to discover. I may just have a bad memory right now but I didn't recall Spooky having an animated TV show featuring him... but at the same time it sounds familiar, but if it was I guess some fan could have really guessed the origin of the cap or the rigth direction :D but I adore this story. Adore is really the right word. thanks for this jewel Alex :)
Nadin Brokop
2015-02-21 08:23:56 +0000 UTCA lovely piece of extra material for the universe, Alex. It isn't *necessary* to the main story arc, but it enriches that arc to have it.
2015-02-21 08:02:02 +0000 UTCThe ghost motif fits Spooky really well; he lives in a haunted world, full of old memories and old pains, but also joys and good people. Whilst the story is sad, it's impossible for me to pity Spooky because he doesn't pity himself: he wears hope endlessly like his cap and aims to achieve more - which makes me root for him all the more. Incidentally, I may start pestering you for excerpts from Spooky Adventures. Great story, thanks for sharing it.
2015-02-21 07:50:28 +0000 UTCThis is awesome Alex. I love stuff like this so this is a real treat to read. Tons of interesting tidbits too. The fact the entire Williams family disappeared is definitely a very intriguing thread to dangle. Is it weird that what stood out to me most was the now absent secretary? Another point to drift in the TYP ether, perhaps to be picked up again in the future. ;) Thanks for this Alex. All the care and attention you and your team give this world you've created is really something special. :D
Hours Left
2015-02-21 07:29:07 +0000 UTCThat was sad and lovely, Alex. Thanks so much for posting it for us. It gives us many more stories and comics to look forward to!
GG Powers
2015-02-21 06:28:04 +0000 UTCThat's a really nice compliment, Jim. Thank you. It makes me very happy to hear that the comic has become a highlight of your week. Thank you very much for your kind words. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 05:34:56 +0000 UTCAlex: I love that every time one of your characters talks, we learn more about them. Tsunami is the responsible, protective type, and it shows through every time he gets in an argument with Flyboy's idealism, Fluke's rebellious streak or Spooky's determination. But none of this is ever outright stated. Nowhere is there a bio page that tells us anything about these characters. It's all just shown, given, there to pick up if you read closely enough. A tip of the hat to you for the nuance and heartbreaking courage your characters display on a regular basis. A tip of the hat, also, to your artists, who manage to match you detail for detail in the facial expression and body language each character uses. Fluke's swagger, Spooky's casual stoicism, Flyboy's eagerness, all show through in their body language as well as their dialogue. This? This whole wonderful comic and community you've created? Highlight of my week, right here. Thanks. It feels insufficient, but aside from the patronage I'm already contributing, there's not a lot else I can say. =P
2015-02-21 05:30:36 +0000 UTCThank you, Mik! :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 05:25:32 +0000 UTCWow. Subtle start, but great ending.
Mik McAllister
2015-02-21 05:25:02 +0000 UTCYay! Thank you, Chris! I'm so happy you enjoyed this! I'm be curious to hear what else you discover on the re-reads. :) And again, thank you to everyone who made this story possible here! You all rock!
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 04:22:50 +0000 UTCThank you so much for the kind words, Donald. I'm very glad you're here too. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 04:21:47 +0000 UTCThank you so much, Carolyn! Your reaction is just what I hoped for. You've put a big smile on my face. :)
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 04:20:54 +0000 UTCThank you, AJ! (And me too. :) )
Alex Woolfson
2015-02-21 04:19:53 +0000 UTCSo cool! Definitely unexpected. I hope he finds them.
Admiral Jane
2015-02-21 03:53:43 +0000 UTCThis, Alex, is why we love you. This story is, as advertised, mostly about the origin of Spooky's cap, but all the little details and nuances give us a great look at Spooky in the intervening years. So many great little details, like the old filing cabinet with the now absent assistant's filing system still in place, and the reverence for the friend's photo on an otherwise cluttered desk... Basically this is a gem and I thank you for it.
2015-02-21 03:43:10 +0000 UTCSad and very touching. I'd expect nothing less from a Spooky story. I'm glad to be here to read it. Thank you, Alex. Of course this means we must find Stone and his brother some day. We'll find them all, in time but I want this for Spooky.
Donald
2015-02-21 03:40:59 +0000 UTCThis is so much more than awesome that my deep, masculine and manly squeeing (which is being FORCED out of my inner being) implies. I shall need to read this several more times and than I shall bother you, my Alex, and anyone else who will listen to this mad fan with my deep and abiding Spooky fan-boy lurve. LOL!!!!! Thanks so much, Alex. Also a huge thanks to all the cool TYP fan-folk who made this milestone happen. I guess they, we, you, I, and anyone else do... actually... ROCK!!! Take care you cool peeps! - ChrisD x
Chris Dangerfield
2015-02-21 03:39:55 +0000 UTC
