Is there a way that you can (safely) make a flourecent light short out like they do in scary movies and old buildings. We are putting together a haunted house and would like to use this effect.

No.

And please don't try to experiment.

Your best bet is to find a theatrical/effects shop that offers the proper appliance to give the desired effect.

Anything you do with real fixtures and mickey mouse wiring will endanger your loved ones and unsuspecting visitors.

If you would like to wire in a montary switch ither N/O so when you make the connection the light comes on, or N/C so the light stayes on all the time and when you make the connection the light turnes off and on. That you can controle on the side sounds like a good idea and is low in cost