The Story Behind...The Halloween Masks

Christine and George Scott: "I'm with her."

Christine and George Scott are the co-owners of the Costume Shop, next to Floral Creations & Gifts, which they also own, in Belfast. This is the place to shop locally to get anything you need for a Halloween costume from wigs to accessories to full body costumes. They say their bestsellers for men are pirate costumes and bestsellers for women are sexy police officer costumes. (Seriously ladies? Does everything have to be tramped up for Halloween?) For little kids, the undead "Little Rascals" mask sells the best; for boys the Ninja costume is the winner; and for girls, the witch costume is the most popular.

When the season for their flower shop mostly winds down in September, they keep business going year round with the Costume Shop. Cancer patients often come in to buy something from their extensive wig collection; Mystery Dinner participants come in for specific attire; theater folks stop in for props and little girls who want fairy wings and costumes for birthdays can find whatever they need here.

Here are three costumes the Costume Shop carries and the story behind them...

Freak-N-Monster Creature Reacher

The upside:  So detailed, it's likely to win contests.

The downside: The mask is a little top heavy; wear a bike helmet underneath.

---

Hell Hound Wolf

The upside: It'll scare the crap out of anyone in your path.

The downside: Not exactly a chick-magnet costume.

---

Orangutan (modeled by Christine)

The upside: Allows you to get away with stupid behavior at parties.

The downside: Expect people to pretend to pick bugs off you all night.

---