MONTH 1. PART 1. – The First Time
(POV Member)
I pull up in my car. By now, I’ve read the instructions for how this is supposed to go so many times, I have them memorized. A man dressed in a tuxedo approaches my car. He pulls open the door for me and bows his head as if I’m royalty. He holds out his hand, and I do as the instructions explained – I hand over my car keys. He says nothing as he waits a moment while I reach back into the car for my purse. I wasn’t sure what to bring, so I went with the standard lipstick and compact, just in case I need to freshen up. He motions for me to walk toward the house and climbs into my car. I wait because I need a moment to gather myself before I walk inside. I watch as he drives my car around the long half-circle driveway and down the street.
It’s then that I realize I didn’t get a valet ticket. A second later, I remember that the instructions said there wasn’t any reason to worry about that. I turn toward the house, which was white with blue shutters over at least sixteen front-facing windows. The lawn was perfectly manicured. Lights were on in every window. I can hear people talking inside, but it’s not overly loud so as to indicate a party. That’s a good thing – no one is supposed to know what goes on inside this house tonight. That’s why all their cars were taken to a location down the block and spread out.
I swallow hard as I think about how I got here in the first place. A friend of a friend of a friend recommended this to me after I got drunk one night and confessed some things I might be interested in doing one day. I’d mentioned something about a bucket list, and she’d suggested this. I’d thought it crazy for over six months. Then, one night, I’d gone to the website, entered three layers of passwords along with the name of the person who had referred me, and read the instructions and rules for membership. There were rounds of background checks and even a medical exam to ensure that everyone would be safe. I’d have to get regular tests after this if I choose to retain my membership, but that’s a big if. First, I have to walk through the front door.
“Winter,” a woman says as I approach.
She’s standing outside the door now, looking at me with an expectant stare.
“Masquerade,” I reply.
She nods and looks down at her hand, where she has different color bracelets. They are real gold and silver, but they’re to be returned at the end of the event. She has a couple of other types as well. I know they’re bronze and platinum because I read the instructions, but I can’t really tell that since we’re standing on the porch, the light above us is not lit, and it’s after eleven at night with a new moon in the sky offering little to no light.
“Here you go,” she says, holding out a gold bracelet. “First time?” she asks.
“Yes,” I confess as I hold out my wrist for her to place the bracelet there.
This is the next layer of the experience. After turning in my car and giving the password for tonight’s party that would change for the next one and the one after that, I receive my bracelet.
“You’re on time, which is good. Although, you should know that since we rotate houses for safety, we can’t always guarantee there will be rooms available if you’re late.”
“I understand,” I say, taking my hand back.
“Rooms with open doors are available even if people are in them. Rooms with closed doors mean–”
“Privacy,” I reply, having memorized the directions.
The woman nods again and looks me up and down before saying, “Well, enjoy.”
“Thank you,” I say back.
She moves out of my way, and the door opens from the inside as if there’s someone standing behind it, listening or watching us, preparing for my entry. I walk inside, and my eyes squint instantly due to the change from dark to light. The house opens to a massive foyer complete with a chandelier hanging in the middle and an opulent staircase that curved around and up one side, leading to the second floor.
“Your bag?” a man says, nodding to my purse.
“I’d like to keep it, if that’s okay,” I say.
He nods and says, “Your jacket?”
“Yes, please,” I reply and shimmy out of my long, black jacket that had been concealing my elegant little black dress chosen just for this occasion.
“To the right is the party,” the man said, taking my coat. “To the left, you’ll find refreshments. If you choose to imbibe, we do reserve the–”
“I know,” I say, recalling the part about them conducting breathalyzers and providing designated drivers if necessary – anything to prevent a guest from drinking and driving and that getting back to the people at the party.
“Upstairs, there are eleven bedrooms along with other private and not-so-private spaces. If you need anything, just find anyone wearing this ribbon on their lapels, and we’ll be happy to get it for you.” He pointed to a green, plain ribbon attached to his tuxedo jacket.
“Thank you.”
“Door knocking starts fifteen minutes before the end of the event at four,” he said.
I nod. The party went from eleven to four in the morning, but I doubt I’ll be here longer than an hour – I just want to walk around and take it all in tonight. I don’t plan on actually participating. I don’t know that I’ll ever participate, but after six months of not being able to get it off my mind even before I did my research – and then more months of background checks and testing – I’m more than curious to see what all the fuss is about. Of course, the hefty membership fee is also keeping me here for at least an hour. The first night is fifty percent off. After this, if I want to come back, I have to pay the full fee, and it’s an annual commitment. I can afford it, so that’s not the issue, but it’s a lot of money to give away if I don’t end up liking it.
“Can I get you anything?” the same man asks.