--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How do you plan to scare people tonight?\"…" description: "\"“How do you plan to scare people tonight?\" asked a hollow-voiced spector. \"I'll wait until they sit down to supper, then scream whenever someone sticks..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55e/e-d-baker-24728_fairy-tale_how-do-you-plan-to-scare-people-tonight_2820162.jpg" --- # How do you plan to scare people tonight?" asked a… ![“How do you plan to scare people tonight?" asked a hollow-voiced spector. "I'll wait until they sit down to supper, then scream whenever someone sticks his knife in his meat." I'll haunt the bedchambers," said another. "A bloody ax at midnight always gets a good reaction." A ghost with a purplish…” quote by E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55e/e-d-baker-24728_fairy-tale_how-do-you-plan-to-scare-people-tonight_2820162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55e/e-d-baker-24728_fairy-tale_how-do-you-plan-to-scare-people-tonight_2820162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55e/e-d-baker-24728_fairy-tale_how-do-you-plan-to-scare-people-tonight_2820162.jpg) > ““How do you plan to scare people tonight?" asked a hollow-voiced spector. "I'll wait until they sit down to supper, then scream whenever someone sticks his knife in his meat." I'll haunt the bedchambers," said another. "A bloody ax at midnight always gets a good reaction." A ghost with a purplish tinge to his aura spoke next. "I can top both of you. I'm going to dress like a guard and haunt the privy. I'll hide in the hole and when anyone sits down I'll wail, 'Who goes there? State your business!”” [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Various ghosts compete to frighten humans using creative, gruesome tactics, highlighting the absurdity of fear and competition. **In simple terms:** Ghosts try to outdo each other in scaring people with silly, violent tricks. Key Takeaway Recognize fear’s absurdity and avoid unnecessary competition. Themes fear competition humor supernatural absurdity Mood playful dark ironic Type fiction humorous satirical When to use this quote - haunted houses - prank wars - storytelling sessions - creative writing - themed parties Key Concepts psychology of fear social rivalry creative storytelling dark humor Questions to Reflect On - Why do we find humor in fear? - How does competition shape our fears? A Different Perspective Excessive fear can be manipulated for entertainment, diminishing genuine emotion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fairy tale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fairy-tale/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [Haunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haunt/) [Haunt Bedchambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haunt-bedchambers-3583882/) [Haunt Privy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/haunt-privy-3583883/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Scare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare/) [Scare People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare-people/) ## Related quotes > [Well, you know, they use those words so that they can scare people "terror" and "cell."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-o-donnell/well-you-know-they-use-those-words-so-that-they-can-scare-people/) [Rosie O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-o-donnell/) > [Anthology shows as a whole scare people. The networks can't quite get their heads around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-mcfarlane/anthology-shows-as-a-whole-scare-people-the-networks-can-t-quite-get/) [Todd McFarlane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-mcfarlane/) > [At the end of the day, a "jump scare" scares the audience for the moment. Slow burn horror ideas scare people forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-derrickson/at-the-end-of-the-day-a-jump-scare-scares-the-audience-for-the-moment/) [Scott Derrickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-derrickson/) > [Well, in the '80s and '70s, with the exception of Sidney Poitier and Brock Peters, maybe Ivan Dixon, if you were as big and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-duke/well-in-the-80s-and-70s-with-the-exception-of-sidney-poitier-and/) [Bill Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-duke/) > [I scare people a little bit, so why not? That's what we do as drag queens. We're supposed to be a little intimidating!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutan-amrull/i-scare-people-a-little-bit-so-why-not-that-s-what-we-do-as-drag/) [Sutan Amrull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutan-amrull/) > [I have a zero tolerance for sanctimonious morons who try to scare people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/i-have-a-zero-tolerance-for-sanctimonious-morons-who-try-to-scare/) [Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/) > [If you're really special, meaning you're doing something unique and original, it could scare people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/if-you-re-really-special-meaning-you-re-doing-something-unique-and/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [Perhaps I scare people. I don't know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-von-sydow/perhaps-i-scare-people-i-don-t-know-why/) [Max von Sydow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-von-sydow/) > [I have a quality where I sort of scare people. But I am who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-ghesquiere/i-have-a-quality-where-i-sort-of-scare-people-but-i-am-who-i-am/) [Nicolas Ghesquiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-ghesquiere/) > [Well, for one, you have to remember not to scream. Once you have their attention, whispering is much more effective. Screaming ghosts scare people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/well-for-one-you-have-to-remember-not-to-scream-once-you-have-their/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [You know what scare people to much... it's SUCCESS!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-d-r-l-testament/you-know-what-scare-people-to-much-it-s-success/) [Junior Dè Rèál Testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-d-r-l-testament/) > [“At this point, he looks enough like the Prince of Darkness to throw a scare into people who might have once made some rash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/at-this-point-he-looks-enough-like-the-prince-of-darkness-to-throw-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes you do have to scare people a little bit: if someone is not acting in the best interest of the show, then maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-levitan/sometimes-you-do-have-to-scare-people-a-little-bit-if-someone-is-not/) [Steven Levitan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-levitan/) > [We were not folk-rock. We would scare people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/we-were-not-folk-rock-we-would-scare-people/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [It is wrong to make anyone into an enemy; it is wrong to scare the people of one's own country with that enemy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/it-is-wrong-to-make-anyone-into-an-enemy-it-is-wrong-to-scare-the/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) ## More by E.D. Baker > [“Before Annie could answer, he was there, hugging her until her ribs ached and kissing her so hard that her lips felt bruised.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/before-annie-could-answer-he-was-there-hugging-her-until-her-ribs/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“trembling copse of young saplings”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/trembling-copse-of-young-saplings/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [Men are apt to overvalue the tongues, and to think they have made considerable progress in learning when they have once overcome these; yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/men-are-apt-to-overvalue-the-tongues-and-to-think-they-have-made/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“When he was finished, Annie caught up her hair in the band again and turned to smile at him. “I wish you would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/when-he-was-finished-annie-caught-up-her-hair-in-the-band-again-and/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [I'd always wanted to believe that my ancestors were better people than they probably were. - Princess Emma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/i-d-always-wanted-to-believe-that-my-ancestors-were-better-people/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“The tinkle of wind chimes announcing the return of our fairy guests made us both look up. Our chance to be alone was going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/the-tinkle-of-wind-chimes-announcing-the-return-of-our-fairy-guests/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“Who would have thought that a human and a dragon could make such a perfect match?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/who-would-have-thought-that-a-human-and-a-dragon-could-make-such-a/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“You bet it is!” Norelle exclaimed. “Now follow me and we’ll be there before you can say my full name backward five times!” “But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/you-bet-it-is-norelle-exclaimed-now-follow-me-and-we-ll-be-there/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“spoiled rotten,” said Beldegard. “Prince Ainsley is our”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/spoiled-rotten-said-beldegard-prince-ainsley-is-our/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“We're engaged to be engaged, aren't we?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/we-re-engaged-to-be-engaged-aren-t-we/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [Your father is the first person to tell me that I am lovely who seemed to mean it. The only people who've told me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/your-father-is-the-first-person-to-tell-me-that-i-am-lovely-who/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“Although both annie and liam were ready to leave early the next morning, they had to wait for Prince Andreas, who was still sleeping.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/although-both-annie-and-liam-were-ready-to-leave-early-the-next/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [“Ting-Tang stopped moving, although he did turn his head to look at Audun. “You’ve really never eaten anyone?” “Never!” said Audun. “My wife would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/ting-tang-stopped-moving-although-he-did-turn-his-head-to-look-at/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [Unfortunately being born princess doesn't autimatically make a girl graceful or confident, a fact I've lamented for most of my fourteen years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/unfortunately-being-born-princess-doesn-t-autimatically-make-a-girl/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [Love doesn't work that way. You don't meet one day and kiss and see sparkles the next. Real love takes time. They need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/love-doesn-t-work-that-way-you-don-t-meet-one-day-and-kiss-and-see/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) [Explore all 24 E.D. Baker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) ## More Fairy tale quotes > [“From that time on they both looked forward to sleeping together. I might even say that the goal of their lovemaking was not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/from-that-time-on-they-both-looked-forward-to-sleeping-together-i/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [I know my hair is out of the '60's, my clothes are '50's and the shoes I wear are from the '40's. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/i-know-my-hair-is-out-of-the-60-s-my-clothes-are-50-s-and-the-shoes-i/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) > [I have always been fascinated by the supernatural elements in stories, whether fairy tales, myths, film or literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trudi-canavan/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-the-supernatural-elements-in-stories/) [Trudi Canavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trudi-canavan/) > [“If this were a fairy tale, this would be the part where the fishboy appears and Diana shoots him through the heart. Because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-moskowitz/if-this-were-a-fairy-tale-this-would-be-the-part-where-the-fishboy/) [Hannah Moskowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-moskowitz/) > [“Yes sir, the fish was left in place of the crystal ball. It's been bagged and tagged for analysis.” Great. Now we have another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-f-stewart/yes-sir-the-fish-was-left-in-place-of-the-crystal-ball-it-s-been/) [A.F. Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-f-stewart/) > [Here is the world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/here-is-the-world-of-imagination-hopes-and-dreams-in-this-timeless/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Look at Jane Austen. Her characters derive in a reasonably straight line from fairy tales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-davies/look-at-jane-austen-her-characters-derive-in-a-reasonably-straight/) [Andrew Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-davies/) > [Letters crossing in the post, unfamiliar tunes heard three times in one day, the way that blows of fate descend upon the same bowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/letters-crossing-in-the-post-unfamiliar-tunes-heard-three-times-in/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [“He always had bread crumbs in his voice, and I followed them like a fairy tale.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-c-stevens/he-always-had-bread-crumbs-in-his-voice-and-i-followed-them-like-a/) [Courtney C. Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-c-stevens/) > [“What the Boy chiefly dabbled in was natural history and fairy tales, and he just took them as they came, in a sandwichy sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grahame/what-the-boy-chiefly-dabbled-in-was-natural-history-and-fairy-tales/) [Kenneth Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grahame/) > [“Go out into the world, traveler. See what the long nights and hard days feel like, after a week of them.” “Perhaps I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-arden/go-out-into-the-world-traveler-see-what-the-long-nights-and-hard-days/) [Katherine Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-arden/) > [I grew up watching monster movies and horror movies, which I felt were like fairy tales and I think this always spoke to me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/i-grew-up-watching-monster-movies-and-horror-movies-which-i-felt-were/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [“The consolation of fairy-stories, the joy of the happy ending; or more correctly of the good catastrophe, the sudden joyous "turn" (for there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/the-consolation-of-fairy-stories-the-joy-of-the-happy-ending-or-more/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [Here about the beach I wandered, nourishing a youth sublime With the fairy tales of science, and the long result of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/here-about-the-beach-i-wandered-nourishing-a-youth-sublime-with-the/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [How much more of the mosque, of prayer and fasting? Better go drunk and begging round the taverns. 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