I was on Facebook a few days ago and an instant message popped up. Nothing unusual about that except that I was alone in my apartment. While I do feel secure, it is New York, and there were strange noises coming from the lobby.
And there was something awkwardly sinister and creepy about the message on screen. All he said was “Hi.” Had it been some friendly female or junk spam soliciting me I would have been Ok. But there was a picture of someone hiding behind a Michael Myers mask. For some reason it was very unnerving. Even his name felt dangerous and stalkerish: Billy Wayne Walls.
I waited to see if he would add anything else to calm my nerves. But he didn’t. His picture remained up on my screen and those eyes seemed to gaze after my soul. He was scary. No doubt about it. And as you know, I love scary.
After a little back and forth it turns out Billy is obsessed with Michael Myers. In fact, his favorite movie is Halloween 4 and he watches it everyday. Yes, everyday. He has watched Halloween 4 over one thousand times.
What follows is our conversation. Make of it what you will.
“I was born 4 months before Halloween 4 came out and have been a big fan of the Halloween films ever since.”
What is it you love about Michael?
“His coveralls and the mask and how he’s burnt and the knife he used.”
Do you think Michael is scary, and do you relate to him?
“Yes. Because we’re one in the same. I got burnt 5 years ago play acting like him.”
When you play you’re Michael, do you use a real or plastic knife?
“Real.”
So what’s the real knife for?
“For scraping against things and giving that sound when you stab a slate roof.”
Back to you being scary – in what way are you scary?
“The way I walk and the way i look without the mask.”
Do you think you’re scarier with or without the mask?
“I tend to relate to Halloween 4”
What in particular about that movie?
“The whole movie, especially the rooftop chase. The way he gets around on it, and walks on it.
Does Michael give you nightmares?
“No. Its the other way round. I am him in my dreams.”
So in your dreams, you go around scaring or killing people?
“Yes.”
Both?
“Both”
So I’m sitting there in my apartment with John Carpenter’s music going through my head and there is a loud thud on my door. I spill a drink on the floor, but run over to look through the peep hole in the door.
No one is there. I turn back to the computer and another IM comes up. But I’m more concerned about what made that thud. I check the door is secure and walk back to my computer.
How about your family? Do they love Michael as much as you?
“No.”
Why not?
“It scares them.”
Do you scare them too?
“No. They think I’m crazy.”
Because you love him so much?
“Him and Jason.”
You talked about killing people in real life…have you ever done that?
“My nephew dresses up in a clown costume every Halloween. The police in my town on Halloween is scared of us.”
How do you know?
“That’s why they have Trick Or Treat on October 30th. Because I was in a hosptial. My shrink was scared of me. They said watching movies was taking it to reality.
What do you mean?
“They said I was hearing voices. They’re the ones that needed help.”
Do you become the Michael character often?
“I even got the thorn tattooed on my wrist.”
What is stopping you from really killing people?
“It’s only a movie. If they make another Halloween 4 one day I’d love to play Michael Myers.
Billy is a Michael Myers superfan and would one day love to be a stuntman. He attends conventions and has met some of the actors who have played Michael Myers in the past including George P. Wilbur, Dick Warlock and Don Shanks.
He runs a huge Michael Myers group on Facebook. You too can make contact with your darkside by contacting Billy here: http://www.facebook.com/billyww?ref=ts
