Who: All invitees and their dates When: October 31st, 2012 (forward dated) Where: Wayne Manor, Crest Hill, Bristol Township, Gotham City, New Jersey What: Halloween Masquerade Ball! Rating: PG-13-ish? Just in case?
The Manor had been transformed for the Masquerade being staged within that Halloween night. Once guests entered the gate, the drove up to the house through a haunted forest constructed from potted trees three deep (later to be donated to the Robinson Park and the city). They loomed over the drive with eerie purple lights winking here and there among the branches to reveal the shapes of owls, bats, goblins, and other creatures hidden within. Ghostly figures danced in the wind, just out of sight; it was enough to either enchant or unsettle before the car arrived at the parking area.
Alfred stood his post at the door, dressed - as were all the staff - in livery from the days of the Revolutionary War, but not in its usual crisp condition. His clothes were aged and moth-eaten, worn with time, and even his hair and face appeared to sag as if the weight of the years sat heavily upon them. They floated through the Manor like the ghosts they were supposed to be, their black domino masks floating over their eyes.
Inside, candle sconces and candelabra had sprouted like brilliant growths on the walls and tables. The flames were electric, but the lights flickered realistically, giving off a warm orange glow. All artwork had been replaced with those of darker themes, and the regular drapes had been replaced with heavier ones in darker colors, and shrouded in extremely realistic cobwebs. The ballroom chandeliers had been painstakingly taken down, piece by piece, and replaced with new ones, bought just for the occasion, which provided enough illumination to see by, but also added to the ambiance with a yellowish tint and occasional flickering.
The hors d'oeuvres managed to remain elegant, even while resembling human body parts, and specialty drinks included those in a variety of candy flavors, resembling brain hemorrhages, or with garnishes designed to look like eyeballs.
It looked to be a fun evening, one in which society would finally meet the newest and youngest member of the Wayne clan, and could enjoy socializing, dancing, eating and drinking, until and even after the masks came off at the stroke of twelve - the Witching Hour on Halloween Night.
Trick or Treat.
((NOTE: This has become a charity event for Hurricane Sandy. Give Big!))