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                      The Follies of Fashion

                      Published by Rita Mock-Pike and Isaac Stephens at October 27, 2025
                      Categories
                      • Fiction
                      • Flash Fiction
                      • Halloween
                      • Short Story Narration
                      Tags
                      • creepy fiction
                      • dark humor
                      • dark humor narration
                      • fashion
                      • fiction
                      • flash fiction
                      • funny
                      • Halloween fiction
                      • Isaac Stephens
                      • Rita Mock-Pike
                      • short story
                      • short story narration
                      • The Follies of Fashion
                      A pair of feet wearing bright red high heels. Flames are lapping up around them. The MockingOwl Roost logo in black is in the corner. TEXT: The Follies of Fashion - Halloween Short Story Narration - Written by Rita Mock-Pike, Performed by Isaac Stephens

                      Image created on Canva

                      The Follies of Fashion written by Rita Mock-Pike. Performed by Isaac Stephens. Directed and edited by Rita Mock-Pike for the MockingOwl Roost. Sfx sourced from Freesound.org. Creators: craigsmith, celestino.anthony, Lilliryth-SFX, jokallset, and Nic3_one.


                      Allen and David stared at each other for only a moment before the hot pokers jabbed them again. “For every woman who ever wore your nonsensical tripe!” The vicious cry would have seemed out of place anywhere else. But here, the fiery squeal fit right in.

                      Darius and Roxey exhaled deeply, awaiting their turns. Eternity seemed short back in the day. But after Darius’ many centuries and Roxey’s two and half now, the hype of the word resonated soundly in their souls.

                      “Truly forever and ever?” a voice overhead asked in pitching shrill levels.

                      “Forever and ever and ever. Without end. No stop.” The lead demon cackled maniacally, shaking its poker at the newcomer.

                      “But…what did I do? Why am I here? I’ve gone to church my whole life! I’ve read my Bible every day. I prayed regularly and gave to the poor. I rescued puppies and helped injured kittens!”

                      “Indeed, sir,” the demon snickered. “But you invented the thong.”

                      “It was supposed to hide underwear lines!” Rudi cried.

                      “And tortures souls.” The demon’s weird, blood-red teeth gleamed as if soaked in fresh blood. “Thanks for doing our job for us. I got a week off last century!”

                      “Do I at least get a reward for that?” the designer asked breathlessly.

                      “Oh, sure,” the demon grinned as he swept arm across his favorite collection of torturees. “You get to wear all their inventions. The corset, hoop skirt, pantyhose, chainmail bikini… You name it — it’s yours for eternity.”

                      “Welcome to hell,” Darius muttered, crossing his ankles to show off his three-foot-tall high heels.


                      Looking for more great (or is that creepy?) fun? Check out these dark humor, Halloween, and other tales from the darkness…

                      • Attention! Important Public Safety Announcement – Halloween Flash Fiction
                      • A Spooky Sight – Halloween Poetry
                      • Mrs. Morris and the Vampire, Halloween Fiction Review
                      • His Halloween Mask – Poetry
                      • The Witch’s Familiar – Halloween Flash Fiction
                      • Order Up – Dark Flash Fiction
                      • Murderer’s Creek – Dark Fiction
                      • The Doll, a Dark Flash Fiction
                      • Winner! – Dark Fiction
                      • The Gun From the Unicorn – Dark Fiction
                      • The Banquet – Dark Flash Fiction
                      • Sleep Paralysis Demon or Religious Trauma? – Dark Flash Fiction
                      • Prize – a Dark Humor Tale
                      • The Golmyrie – a Dark Fiction Poem
                      • The Dance of the Peacock, Part 1 & Part 2 – Mythological Fiction
                      • Where Would I Be Without You? – Dark Humor Rom-Com
                      Rita Mock-Pike
                      Website |  + postsBio

                      Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.

                      • Rita Mock-Pike
                        https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/author/ritamockpike/
                        When You Need a Wakeup: Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast Tea Review
                      • Rita Mock-Pike
                        https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/author/ritamockpike/
                        Great Value Peach Rooibos Tea: A Sweet & Simple Sip
                      • Rita Mock-Pike
                        https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/author/ritamockpike/
                        The Whisking Hour — An Advanced Review of Murder, Baked Goods, and Theatre
                      • Rita Mock-Pike
                        https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/author/ritamockpike/
                        Quick Take: The Wrecking Crew (2026)
                      Isaac Stephens
                      + postsBio

                      Isaac is a creative writing graduate who specializes in fantasy literature. He has been passionate about gaming since childhood, and this enthusiasm has led him to explore voice acting and other artistic endeavors within the gaming world. Although he hasn't had many opportunities to play tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), he finds them exciting and is always eager to expand his horizons. His current favorites include Pathfinder, and Warhammer. When he isn't gaming, Isaac enjoys singing, voice acting, and streaming. If he's not doing those activities, he can often be found daydreaming or bird watching.

                      Find more from Isaac on BlueSky.

                      • Isaac Stephens
                        #molongui-disabled-link
                        The Flying Dutchman

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                      2 Comments

                      1. The Flying Dutchman – A Haunting Halloween Poetry Reading says:
                        October 28, 2025 at 9:05 pm

                        […] The Follies of Fashion – A Dark Humor Halloween Fiction Reading […]

                        Reply
                      2. Piano Tales: Hans Opperknockity, a Short Story says:
                        November 28, 2025 at 7:00 pm

                        […] The Follies of Fashion – Dark Humor Narration […]

                        Reply

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