Abe could not have missed the gala going on. It cued every drop of curiosity in his scaly blue body. He cautiously came nearer and nearer marveling at the Halloween festivities.
He'd never attended a Halloween party. He finally came close enough to attract some attention, to put a webbed toe on the velvet red carpet.
"Hey, buddy, great costume!" a person of City origin said and slapped him on the back.
He jumped and looked back at him dumbfounded before responding.
"Uh, yes. Self-made," he said cautiously.
The be-masked man nodded goofily and headed in. Abe decided to follow, feeling much safer now that he could pass himself off as costumed. His breath was taken away as he entered the Opera house. He wish he had worn shoes. How uncouth!
"My God," he muttered as he looked up, left, right, all around spinning. It was beautiful. This was where he was meant to be. He felt at home in the decor and the pompous.
Red wine suddenly became heavy in his hands and all he saw was the deliverers tuxedo-ed back as he walked away.
The spectacle, the performance, made him gasp.
"Oh," he said. And then, "Oh, well done, indeed." He clapped.
He felt the presence, nearby, that he had come to identify as one who was not of the City. Someone brought in, like himself, was behind him. He turned around at the pale, ghostly girl, knowing she was in costume, and cocked his head as he got her attention.
His hands floundered, no pun intended, unused to having a drink in his hand and not wanting to slosh it as he gesticulated.
"Excuse me. Do you know, do they do this every year?" Abe asked, gesturing to the interior of the Opera house in a grand movement of one hand and arm.