Aimee walks into her office.
Denise: Aimee! What are you doing here?
Aimee: I work here? You’re my chief ofd staff. What are we doing here?
Denise: Are you not going to the Senate Halloween party?
Aimee: The what?
Denise: There’s a Senate Halloween party today! I brought your costume!
Aimee: My what?
Denise: Elphaba.
Aimee: I’m gonna be green?
Denise: I did buy the makeup, if you’d like to use it.
Aimee: I’m concerned.
Denise: I feel like you’re not as into Halloween as I am.
Aimee: Never really have been! I like celebrating it with my kids - you know, trick-or-treating, watching Hocus Pocus, taking them out for pumpkin ice cream. I’ve never really been a fan of celebrating it myself. The scariest movie I watch is Beetlejuice -
Denise: Not a scary movie.
Aimee: and I don’t like dressing up that much. I do it for the kids, and I guess for you, but it’s not something I’m ever overwhelmingly excited to do.
Denise: Why not? It’s fun!
Aimee: I really prefer to focus on positive, happy things. Scary movies mess with my head. I have enough real problems to deal with to let scary movies get to me.
Denise: Halloween’s not just about scary movies. It’s also about fun decorations and silly costumes and yummy candy!
Aimee: And I don’t mind any of that. I don’t hate Halloween, it’s just not my favorite.
Denise: That’s fine, I guess. No reason to try to change your mind. I’m surprised you’d pass up a chance to go socialize and party with your colleagues, though.
Aimee: I’ll go. I just didn’t know it was today. I haven’y really heard anyone talking about it.
Denise: Surely not because they’re all so focused on work.
Aimee: God, no. Half of these people barely even seem aware that they’re US Senators. Most of them probably put more thought into their costumes than they did into any policies they’re planning on enacting in this term.
Denise: Well, not everyone can be as effective and dedicated as you, Aimee.
Aimee: So, you wanna start painting my face?
Denise: Let’s go defy gravity!
One hour later, in the Senate cafeteria…
Aimee: Happy Halloween!
Alec: Aimee?
Aimee: This is the lamest party I’ve ever seen. Why’s everyone just sitting around eating lunch?
Gwen: Dear, this is our lunch break. What are you wearing?
Aimee: My Halloween costume. Duh.
Lynette: I love Wicked! You want to go see the second movie with me?
Aimee: I have plans to go with my mom.
Lynette: Are you sure?
Aimee: Yes, Lynette. And why am I the only one in a costume? Where’s the music, where are the games, where’s the festive - is the party not today?
Gwen: Not quite.
Alec: I think you just mixed up the days. It’s tomorrow night.
Gwen: Yeah, it’s going to be a grand affair tomorrow. I know because I bullied my way into being allowed to plan it.
Geraldine: And she does mean bullied.
Gwen: Stop your whining, Geraldine. I’m not about to sign up for Republican Halloween.
Geraldine: What is that even supposed to mean?
Gwen: You guys are no fun.
Aimee: I think we’re plenty fun!
Gwen: Of course you’re fun, you’re dressed as a witch on a random Tuesday. That’s whimsical.
Geraldine: I’m still waiting for an explanation on why you think Republicans in general aren’t “fun” and why we can’t throw a good Halloween party.
Gwen: You guys don’t like anything too spooky, you make it all religious. I’m not going to let Ned Flanders plan my Halloween party!
Geraldine: I am not Ned Flanders! I don’t think horror movies or gore are sacrilege or satanic. I like scary movies.
Alec: Can we get back to the fact that Aimee’s in her costume right now?
Aimee: Costume? What costume?
Lynette: You’re green.
Aimee: Really? I haven’t noticed.
Gwen: You better wear that tomorrow, too. You know I love a good Broadway reference. My home away from home.
Geraldine: I speak for us all when I say I wish you’d stayed at that home.
Aimee: I think I need to get going. I’ve embarrassed myself enough.
Alma: Oh my god, why’s there a witch in here?
Mildred: Alma, it’s just a Halloween costume?
Alma: Why’s there a child in the Senate?
Mildred: Aimee, you’re upsetting Alma.
Maurine: Well, her still being a senator is upsetting me.
Mildred: Do you have to be so rude?
Maurine: Hassenfram, she’s got dementia. She can’t even remember her own name, let alone how to vote.
Mildred: Well, the people of California elected her, and she’s my friend, and I’m going to treat her with dignity.
Aimee: I don’t want to scare her.
Mildred: Aimee, don’t be upset. I did’t mean it in a nasty way.
Aimee: Of course not, you’re the nicest person on earth. You just don’t want Alma upset. It’s fine. It’s time for me to fly, anyway. I’ve endured enough embarrassment.
Gwen: None of this is embarrassing, as far as I’m concerned. You just have Halloween spirit.
Aimee: That’s the first time anyone’s ever told me that!
Back at Aimee’s office…
Aimee: Denise, explain yourself.
Denise: Back so soon?
Aimee: Do you know what day it is?
Denise: October 29th!
Aimee: October 28th.
Denise: Are you sure? My little calendar blocks say it’s the 29th.
Aimee: Your calendar blocks are off, you’ve set them a day early. It’s the 28th. Check your phone or computer.
Denise: Ah, yes. The 28th.
Aimee: Look at me, Denise.
Denise: You’re green.
Aimee: I know I’m green! You made me green, one day early!
Denise: Mistakes were made, but remember when I helped got you elected to the US Senate as a Republican in Washington?
Aimee: Great deflection.
Denise: I’m really sorry.
Aimee: You don’t make mistakes like this, so I can forgive you. But I need you to immediately wash this green paint off my face and pray that The Hill didn’t get any pictures of this. I don’t need them reporting that I’m an idiot that dressed up to go to a Halloween party on the wrong day.
Denise: I’m sure they have better things to focus on than this.
Aimee: You do?
Denise: Yeah, this is probably making it on Morning Joe. Sorry.
Later that night…
Victoria: Aimee, I have a wonderful surprise!
Aimee: I just want to shower and go to bed.
Victoria: After my surprise!
Aimee: I’ve had a long day, aunt Vic.
Victoria: So has your surprise!
Aimee: That doesn’t really make much grammatical sense.
Victoria: Surprise, come on out!
Aimee: Mom! Dad! What on earth are you doing here?
Kimmy: Do I not matter?
Aimee: Of course you do. I just didn’t see you at first.
Kimmy: Likely story.
Cherie: We wanted to see the children for Halloween!
Ernesto: I tried to explain to her that Halloween is not a major enough holiday for cross-country travel, but she did not agree in the slightest.
Cherie: It’s the most fun day of the year to be a kid, outside of Christmas. I want to see the joy in their faces on trick-or-treat night! I want to see their costumes. You now, I’m getting older…
Kimmy: Mom, you’re acting like you’re ninety.
Cherie: I’m close enough! I want to enjoy every holiday I can with the kids. They’re my only grandchildren.
Kimmy: They’re not, though. You have seven others.
Cherie: They’re the only ones who live close by. The only ones where I would expect to have these sort of memories with, you know what I mean?
Ernesto: Darling, we’re in DC. We live in Washington state. I don’t think that’s close by.
Cherie: They’re typically close by, though!
Dave: Anyway, we’re glad to have you. The more, the merrier.
Kimmy: Do you think grandma would pass out candy for trick-or-treaters back at home?
Ernesto: Why are you worried about that?
Kimmy: I don’t want the house to get egged.
Ernesto: Do kids still do that?
Kimmy: Better safe than sorry!
Cherie: So what’s this about a long day?
Aimee: I don’t want to hassle you guys with that, you just flew across the country.
Cherie: It’s fine, we’re used to the flying by now!
Ernesto: Are we?
Kimmy: I find it fun.
Dave: How can anyone possibly find it fun?
Kimmy: It’s just a unique experience.
Dave: Oh, it’s unique.
Aimee: It’s not that bad! You want to talk about bad, I was told there was a Halloween party today at work.
Cherie: They have those in the Senate?
Aimee: Yes.
Dave: I know Halloween’s not your thing, but you were talking about it like a traumatic event.
Aimee: Dave, Denise said the party was today, I dressed up as Elphaba -
Kimmy: I didn’t know you were such a Wicked fan!
Cherie: You told me you didn’t want to go see the sequel with me!
Aimee: Denise picked the costume out. She wanted me to have some Halloween fun. Instead, I showed top for the “party” in the cafeteria, where my colleagues were all eating lunch like it was any other day. Because it was. I walked in painted green, holding a broom, wearing a stupid, pointy hat. I looked ridiculous! Not as ridiculous as when every senate candidate refused to campaign with me, but ridiculous nonetheless.
Cherie: I’m sorry you had a tough day. I’m sure your costume was really nice.
Kimmy: Really, you were just a early for the party. It shows your enthusiasm.
Cherie: That’s an interesting way to put it.
Kimmy: I’m trying to be positive.
Aimee: I know, it’s hard to do. I looked beyond ridiculous. I felt like the only kid at high school who hadn’t realized we’re too old and cool to dress in costumes at school. Something that did happen to me, by the way.
Ernesto: She swore of Halloween after that one, until she had kids of her own.
Aimee: And I’m about to swear it off again. I’m not going to that stupid Halloween party.
Cherie: You have to go! Don’t let a little embarrassment ruin your fun.
Aimee: To be honest, the Senate Halloween party is usually pretty lame. Less lame than the House party, but lame nonetheless. I wouldn’t be missing much.
Cherie: Still no excuse to skip it! Go have fun with your friends, enjoy the Halloween fun! Bob for apples -
Kimmy: Ew!
Cherie: Eat some pumpkin roll
Kimmy: Yum!
Cherie: Don’t let one little moment stop you from enjoying all that.
Aimee: I don’t know, I’d sort of just rather get home with the kids. And with you guys, since you’re here.
Cherie: Don’t let us hold you back!
Aimee: I don’t know why you’re acting like a Halloween party is some sort of life-changing experience. I’ll be fine if I don’t go.
Cherie: Because I know how you can get. You don’t like to be embarrassed. Like your dad said, you have embarrassing experience as a teenager and you wrote off Halloween for twenty years. I want you to enjoy Halloween, especially while your kids are young.
Aimee: Mom, the media got pictures. I’m Senator Elphaba now.
Cherie: And that’s pretty fun, no?
Aimee: Not… particularly. I look like a clown.
Kimmy: Nah, you look like a witch.
Aimee: Thank you, Kimmy.
Kimmy: Happy to help.
Dave: I just want to say, I think dressing up for Halloween is fun, even if it’s a little early. Screw anyone that gives you hell for it.
Aimee: You’re my husband, you have to say that.
The next day…
Denise: Aimee, I think you’re very brave for doing this.
Aimee: What am I doing that’s brave, exactly?
Denise: You looked crazy yesterday, but you didn’t let that get you down.
Aimee: Oh, it got me down. But my family convinced me to just enjoy Halloween, and I’m gonna try my best. I might not love the day, but I do enjoy spending time with my friends, and they’ll all be there, acting insane.
Denise: See! They’re all crazy, not just you!
Aimee: Indeed! Now, you know, it isn’t just a party for Senate members. Staffers are allowed to come, too.
Denise: I don’t have a costume.
Aimee: I got one for you!
Denise: You did? That’s so sweet!
Aimee: Now, let’s get you in it and get the heck out of here.
Denise: What’s my costume, anyway?
Aimee: It’s gonna be Popular, I’ll tell you that much.
Denise: Galinda!
Aimee: Indeed!
Denise: Aww, it’s like a couple’s costume.
Aimee: Well, I didn’t think of it that way.
At the party…
Gwen: Aimee, so glad you’ve shown up at the proper time!
Aimee: Yesterday sure was something, hey?
Gwen: Beleive it or not, you’re not the only person to mess up. That maniac Kylie Sylvan also mixed up the date. I think everyone who used to be in the House got an invitation to their party, too, and it mixed some people up.
Aimee: No, my chief of staff just doesn’t know how calendars work.
Gwen: Either way, glad you’ve arrived!
Aimee: You really got this place looking spooky.
Gwen: We’re in the US Senate, most of what happens here is spooky.
Aimee: Ain’t that the truth!
Denise: Did I just overhear her telling you you weren't the only one that showed up in costume yesterday?
Aimee: You did indeed.
Denise: You always come out on top!
Aimee: I don't know if I'd say "on top." Just... not completely alone at the bottom. Someone else looked just as foolish as me.
Denise: Hey, a win's a win.
What did you think of the season premiere of Evergreen Aimee? Let us know in the comments and make sure to read a new episode next week!
