Jim Ellison stood at the top of the stairs. "Sandburg! I feel like a freakin' idiot."
Blair looked up the stairs at him. Trying to contain his laughter he asked, "What's the problem, big guy?"
Jim grunted. "Well, for one thing I know exactly why they call these things tights. I think I've strangled any future Ellisons." He descended the steps still griping, "I am never letting you go to the costume shop without me again." He pushed past Blair and threw himself onto the couch.
Blair sighed. "I told you that was all they had left in your size." He approached his friend. "Unless, you would have preferred the Peter Pan costume... and then you'd still be dealing with tights." Jim's only response was a hard glare, which was hard to see through the head covering. "Hey, come on, man. I mean it's not like I'm much better off here. I'm wearing tights too."
Jim struggled out of the cowl and set it in his lap. "That settles it. I'm not going."
Blair perched on the arm of the sofa. "You've got to. You already promised Michelle that you'd help pass out Halloween candy to the kids at the hospital."
The detective nodded. "Yes I did. But I don't recall my promise having anything to do with dressing up in purple tights and a cape."
Blair slammed one fist into the opposite hand. "Gosh, big guy, you're right. Just call Michelle and tell her that you are too proud to show up dressed like a super hero."
"I'm not too proud," Jim sulked. "I just don't want to look stupid."
The young man grinned and his eyes twinkled mischievously behind his mask. "And you don't think you look stupid every time you lose your gun? Or every time you..." His litany was cut off by a cowl hitting him in the face. Blair snagged the headdress and as he spoke he tugged it in place over Jim's head. "Everyone there will be in costume, the hospital staff, the kids, the parents. It's part of the fun." He paused as he adjusted the cape. "I happen to know that Michelle is going to be dressed as Morticia."
Jim raised an eyebrow beneath his covering. "Yeah?"
Blair placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yeah."
Ellison jumped to his feet. "Well, then, what are we waiting for, old chum. To the Batmobile!"
DA DA DA DA DA BATMAN!