Following Frankenstein

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Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" is one of the scariest, longest-enduring horror stories of all time. The tale of a brilliant, yet mad doctor bringing a man made from corpse parts to life has thrilled and terrified generations since the early 1800s. Almost all people are aware of "Frankenstein", but not as many are aware that "Frankenstein" was written on a bet. Mary Shelley (then Mary Goodwin) and her future husband, the poet Percy Shelley, were visiting Lord Byron's villa in Geneva. Legend has it that Byron, after a night of telling old ghost stories around a campfire suggested that there be a contest to see who could write the scariest original story. The participants were Mary, Percy, Lord Byron, and Byron's bachelor companion. The following is a transcript of Percy Shelly telling his story after Mary was done telling hers

Wow, I mean..... wow. That story was grea.... I mean.....[clears throat] it was okay. [he makes the 'eh' handshaking gesture] You know, it's pretty good for a beginner, and I can't tell you how proud I am of the effort you made. My story? Well we can get to that in a bit. Are we sure we don't want to take a break for, I dunno, a day or two before you hear mine? Hmmm, you don't huh? Okay [to himself] alright you can do this. You wrote 'Queen Mab' and 'Alastor', two pieces that will stand the test of time. You got this [hits his legs a few times to pump himself up, then stands and starts to talk] Okay [interrupts himself and turns to Mary] a fucking reanimated corpse?! Where did that come from!? You're fucking sick! I'm disgusted, but [starts sexy voice] maaaaaybe a little bit turned on, I won't lie. [sexy voice ends] Regardless, this whole contest is unfair! I demand a recount! I don't care if I haven't read my story yet! I still want a do-over! No? Okay fine you big babies, here's my.... even scarier story. Waaaay scarier than, what was it again? Frodenstipe? [pause as he's told the name] Frankenstein? [to himself] fuck the name's even scarier than my whole story [to the room] Okay, here we go: It was a dark and stormy night.... ah fuck it you win.

In an effort to save face Percy later challenged Mary to a game of HORSE. He didn't even get an H.​