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Master of Ceremonies
by Elizabeth Zerkel Les is a modern day Gatsby, making a reputation as the man who hosts ridiculously themed parties. Instead of a lavish mansion and never ending yard, Les lives in a modest city house with a small front porch. Yet his home transforms to the place to be seen during the weekends. These themes go beyond the typical “black tie gala” or “murder mystery dinner” that have worked their way through the party scene for ages. Instead, Les insists on swanky hobo parties, pie cook-offs, and nights celebrating famous villains. The more obscure of a costume, the more satisfied he is. Those who refuse to partake are told, “get the hell out.” So no one ever shows up not dressed accordingly. If the guests refuse to play, Les will not open the door. Les’s brain flutters with ideas for the next theme, a more complicated costume, a better drink to create with whiskey. Utterly oblivious to his friends’ frustration, nothing is ever simple. He lives for the complexity, the challenge, the delirium. His ability to distract his brain wholly depends on these soirees. If Les stops creating this playlist of music, perfectly crafted to accompany the newest speak-easy theme, She slithers through the cracks of the mental walls he constructs. She is the reason he works so hard to forget. She transforms loneliness into a plague. Whiskey over ice, a sugar cube, a dash of bitters, and an orange peel. This Old Fashioned is the perfect pair for his three-piece suit and fedora. He catches a glance of himself in the mirror as he walks to the living room and smiles a tinge. He feels most alive when in costume. Les takes a swig of his drink and turns the front porch light on, waiting for his guests to join the spectacle. It will be another night of playing dress up and make-believe and maybe tonight will finally be enough. |
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