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Echoes of that last school bell of the year are still ringing in the ears of children who are tired of books and desks and need to run free. Their minds also need to run free, which is probably why we've already had an encounter with none other than the infamous Boogeyman.

Since he decided to get a jump on summer fun in our neighborhood, I thought I'd catch up with this mysterious character and pump him for some information. After scaring several children on our street by peering out of an abandoned house with green eyes that were like tiny, bright flashlights staring out into the darkness, Mr. Boogeyman generously agreed to a one-on-one interview.

Micki Bare (MB): The kids are out for summer and you've already made an appearance. Do you normally start this early in the season?

Boogeyman (BM): Usually I wait a week or two -- about the time the children begin complaining that they are bored and have nothing to do. But this year, with all the testing and whatnot in school, I decided to give them a little something to kick-start a well-deserved vacation from the intellectual stresses of end-of-year activities.

MB: Well done, Mr. Boogeyman. My kids completely forgot about all the studying and test-taking the moment those green eyes appeared. What other kinds of distractions will you provide this summer?

BM: I don't want to give away any secrets. But I can say that there will be more than one sleepless night for the children. (He lets out a hearty chuckle.)

MB: Oh, and the parents, too, I'm sure.

BM: Absolutely. When a child is too scared to sleep, parents can plan on a long night as well.

MB: I must say, the 'green eyes in the abandoned house at dusk' was a good one. But you can change the appearance of your eyes, can't you? For instance, you could make them look like teddy bear eyes floating outside a second story window on the night of a full moon, right?

BM: Micki, I can't believe you remembered. I did that to you when you were about 7, right?

MB: Yes, I was 7. School had been out for about two weeks. I could not get back to sleep after seeing those eyes. My dad came up to my room and checked everything out. Then he explained that a teddy bear couldn't float outside my window. I did my best to convince him that I was telling the truth -- that something was out there.

BM: That was one of my best. Your father was so exasperated after leaving your room at midnight that he tossed and turned for another two hours. He had a heck of a time getting up for work the next day.

(Both laugh softly while reminiscing.)

MB: Now I'm a parent, so let's not go overboard, Mr. Boogeyman. I've got to get my rest, too. Tell me, why do you do most of your work in the summer?

BM: Excellent question. I get that one a lot, actually. You see, Micki, in the summer, children have more time to play and be creative. Their imaginations run wild. They are also outside during twilight -- that's when I do my best work. Excellent lighting and a rampant imagination create the perfect atmosphere for spine-chilling pranks.

MB: So, it's safe to say that all you're really doing is playing harmless pranks on the kids?

BM: You've got it. None of it is real. It's all in good fun. They lose a little sleep, but in return, they receive great childhood memories that will last a lifetime.

MB: And last they do. I'll never forget those teddy bear eyes. So, for those outdoor scares, how do you get the kids outside at twilight?

BM: Oh, lightning bugs, s'mores, the rising of a full moon -- there are a variety of methods.

MB: Clever. And you still do the late night work when the moon is full, right?

BM: Absolutely. There are only a few full moons each summer, so I have to take advantage of them when they occur.

MB: Well, Mr. Boogeyman, I cannot thank you enough for taking time out from your frightful schedule to talk with me today. Keep up the good work and have a wonderful summer.

BM: Thank you, Micki, for giving me the opportunity to share a little about my important work. And thanks for raising a few of the most easily spooked children I've ever had the pleasure of scaring.

MB: Well, we know where they get it from, don't we?

(Both chuckle and wink.)

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.