Masquerade

I can’t imagine what tonight will be like in a room full of people with human features hidden behind purchased faces. Just the idea of it slightly freaks me out. I’d been invited to many of these masquerade balls a dozen times in the past. I would usually decline because there always seemed to be something so cynical about people wearing fashionable facial expressions. I mean, for me there’s absolutely nothing entertaining about it.

The main problem for me is this: There’s not much information one can gather from the personality of a plastic disguise! I honestly believe that these types of parties just serve as a temporary release from the pressures of having to openly and readily share their blemishes, and gives all too much freedom to the act of being mysteriously manipulative for a complete space in time. Or maybe it offers everyone an opportunity to let it ALLL just hang out because after all, no one will know that it's you. ESPECIALLY since they won’t be able to see your face, ANYHOW.

My friends always tell me, “Melissa, you’re always so serious. You should learn how to relax and have fun sometimes.”

And maybe they're right. It's just that there are certain things I don't agree with, and maybe it's because I don't fully understand them. However, that won't stop me from being open about how I feel about them. NOPE, NOT ONE BIT.

So now I bet you’re wondering, “Why is she even going to this masquerade? It’s clear that she doesn’t want to.”

Well, unfortunately, my attendance was painfully conceived through the loss of a childish bet. And since I am a woman of my word. I have no choice but to go. So here I am on the way to my first masquerade ball. It begins at 8 pm. I will arrive by 8:30 pm. I figure the earlier I get there. The earlier I can leave.

Upon my arrival, I must admit I did not expect much. First, it was inconveniently set in an extremely isolated location near the swamps of Mississippi. Second, if I could judge a book by its cover. The loosely manicured lawn offered me many ideas of how the inside could look and smell. Although it was a mansion, it was screaming for a fresh paint job. The only advantage was valet parking. Which ensured that I would not need to squander away any time searching for that perfect parking space, and risking the chances of being devoured by a single-minded alligator pursuing its prey.

After exiting my vehicle I handed over my keys to the valet driver and thanked him with a crisp $50 bill in advance.

“Take good care of Roxy,” I said.

“Yes, ma'am,” he replied.

As he drove off I turned to face the front of the building. Bright Cellars was its name. There was no question needed for where I should go next. Nearby was a royal red carpet that led from the sidewalk to the front door which created a pathway through dense patches of waist-length grass that was on the left and the right side. The moon was full and the wind howled like wolves.

On my way inside I would be received by a well-groomed nobleman that appeared to be either a butler or an usher. He wore a white pinstriped suit and a white top hat with a feather. He had a thick, long, gray beard, and bushy-gray eyebrows.

When I finally arrived at the door the gentlemen smiled, tipped his hat then politely inquired, ”May I see your invitation ma’am?”

I smiled then quickly responded with, “Yes sir, here it is.”

"Thank you, ma'am," he replied.

After taking my invitation he then shined it under a bluish lamplight. The word that appeared was "Checkmate." He then performed a special rapping and tapping ritual on the door.

Tap, tap… tap…tap tap…tap

Then, someone from the inside slowly inched opened the door. It was as though they wanted me to savor every second of the experience of “Entering In.”

Welcome to "Checkmate" my Queen, may I take your coat please?” another gentleman asked.

“Why yes you may, thank you, sir,” I replied.

He assisted me in removing my coat and hung it up with all the others on a coat rack near the door. I smiled and began to sight fully explore my surroundings. My pupils were momentously dilating with waves of beauty. Graduating from the outside to the inside was a complete contrast. Similar to the shifting of night and day. The inside was like entering into Buckingham Palace. There were beautiful chandeliers that resembled diamonds from the best jewelers. There were massive Ice carved spectacles, an incredible spiral staircase with plush blue carpeting, and golden trimmed railings. There were man-sized vases that seemed too expensive to ever touch, as well as wall canvasses of beautiful wine orchards and vineyards.

When I finally made it up the stairs where the event was, I discovered an even more incredible theatrical scene. A scene that my memory could never recall. The theme for this mysterious event was given, “Checkmate.” The entire floor resembled a chessboard, and the guest was the pieces that simultaneously brought the game to life. There were 6 disguises to choose from. The King and Queen, The Pawn, Bishop, Knight, and Rook.

That night I was a Queen, and I was stunning. I decided that I would refute the request of adhering to the basic color palette standard of black or white. Instead, I wore a fitted sleeveless form-fitted mermaid tailed gown with extensive ruffles and satin hemming, black leather pumps, and red satin gloves. I reasoned that if I was obligated to attend an event I had no interest in attending. I would at least remain true to myself by doing it my way.

Once I arrived inside the room. It was like being transported from “Now” into the unfamiliar reality of somewhere between “Medieval Times and The Renaissance Era.” There I found magnificent hats with grand feathers, rambunctious gowns with tightly fitted corsets, and men dressed in powerfully embellished garb. There were Cardinals, actual birds that flew 30 feet above our heads. Fire blazed lanterns horizontally lined the walls and contributed to the room's romantic atmosphere. There were food pairing stations for any wine you could think of. Each one had a line of anxious guests ready to be adventurous.

For most of the night, I found myself standing near the Grand piano enjoying a generous glass of Merlot. I enjoyed hearing my favorite instrument that I’d always had a desire to know. The Pianist wore a Knights mask with an all-white embellished vest, tunic, and trousers. His fingers seem to barely trace the piano keys, but each melodic composition was like the taste of honeycomb bringing life to my soul. I discovered his name was Alexander. Alexander played exquisite selections from Bach, Beethoven, and many other composers I thoroughly enjoyed.

Although I could not identify who they belonged to, I could feel a familiar pair of eyes gently watching me. I was sure that there could be no one there that I knew or that knew me. However, if this was true, I could not see their hidden face.

Unexpectedly, a voice heavy in baritone whispered into my right ear. Asking me a question most women could wait a lifetime to hear………..

“Will you marry me?”

To disguise and interrupt my curiosity and interest in who this man was, I remained with my back to him. I laughed softly and replied. “Why would you marry not only a woman you don’t know but also one you have not yet seen?”

He briskly responded, “I do know you, and have seen you many times. During each time, you have always belonged to only me.

I became alarmed, but couldn’t decide whether I should leave or continue to converse with a man that could be a lunatic.

Who is this man? And why does he claim to know me as his own? I thought to myself

He continued with, “I know that you have a small dragonfly tattooed on of your belly, and the word butterfly written in Chinese on the back of your neck. You have always wanted to get married on the beach. Which is exactly where you will marry me. This is just the first night, the first date, and the first time that we meet.”

I had never shared with anyone that I have tattoos nor have they ever been revealed to another set of eyes. Especially not a man’s. I swore to my grandmother who raised me, but is now deceased, that I would never allow any man to see or touch my body unless he was my husband. And I have kept my promise thus far.

Frantically, I slowly turned around then forcedly snatched the King mask from his face. When I saw his face I was instantly overtaken by lapping waves of wonder.

“How could this be?” I replied

My eyes grew enlarged behind my mask. I could never forget those eyes. Those same blue eyes watching me now, and in my dreams. Several times I remembered that in my dreams, on the beach, we shared our vows so passionately.

With tears welling up in my eyes I asked, “How did you find me?”

He smiled and replied, "It's simple, I dreamt that this was where we would meet. I saw you dressed in all red standing near the piano, my Queen, waiting for her King.

"So what do we do now?" I asked.

He stepped back and bowed with his right hand behind his back and his left hand stretched out for me to take.

“May I have this dance?”

I took his hand, and he led me out onto the dance floor. I was very grateful that I'd lost that childish checker game bet.

Tonight was my first date with a King!

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