6 - Opening

William Eckert

June 6, 2000

It must be today, it must be today.

Tradition must be kept. Must be today...it was the last time. Good thing I already sent out the advertisement. Now we have no choice.

Mr. Jay was not pleased. "TODAY??" he howled. "What? You know how ready I am?? NOT."

"I assure you, it is set for noon," I said, frowning.

"I was going to advertise it as a historical experience!" Mr. Jay cried. "How can we do that? How--we don't have time to advertise---"

"I assure you, that has been done already."

Silence, while our proprietor panted as he struggled to contain himself. "What do you have planned?" Mr. Jay asked thickly, as though through barely restrained frustration.

"Masquerade ball," I said. "It was in all the posters."

"I see," he said, regaining his calm. "And...I don't suppose we have anything for that? Do we make the guests bring their own?"

"Of course, all is accounted for," I said. "Costumes for all of the staff, and you, of course, are in the closet at the very end of sixth floor hall."

Samuel Jay

June 6, 2000

We all scrambled, but managed to make it. I got first pick of costume but didn't care what I got. Ended up with a green-black striped suit, and the masque of a plague doctor. Odd. O well.

All was set, I waited nervously as the guests arrived. Rich people, some middle class probably, all able to make their own gown. It was really impressive watching them trickle in from my spot on the music stage at the front of the ballroom. They were in the fanciest gowns and suits I had ever seen all in one place. Marveling, it suddenly came to me, that this palace was of the 1800s but Shakespeare was four hundred years ago...I mentally noted to perhaps try other times in history as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, hugely relieved out butler had written a speech already. The guest's chatter died down and they listened, all eyes on me. Quickly, before my courage failed me, I went on, "Tonight--well also tonight--Today is the day you have awaited. Today, this hotel opens to the public. Today Letare is --- well, able now to be enjoyed by all who love history...Ah, 'Letare' is the Latin word for rejoice. So let us do so."

People cheered and clapped. I resisted the urge to swipe the sweat off my brow as I stepped back, glad at least I had only forgotten my lines a couple times. Maybe nobody noticed.

Lively music began, starting the party. I watched the guests begin, slowly at first, to pair up and twirl around the lovely room.

I went into the crowd, dancing with several ladies, knowing that the entertainment would last until long after the sun set. My mind went on with plans, what was for dinner, when I should check, and all the while I found myself glancing around the room. Almost lazily, as though I were looking for someone.

When I realized who I was looking for, there she was. A dark blue dress, fluffing outward and speckled with little silver specks, making her skirts look like the night sky at its finest. They winked at me with every little turn of hers, and I peered at her face to be sure. Through her matching butterfly masque, I recognized her eyes instantly.

Restraining myself from walking over then and there like in movies, I waited and nodded politely to the lady in pink I had just danced with, waiting until the song ended before I went to find Gin.

The song ended, I kissed the lady's hand and thanked for for the dance. Nearly dying with the wait, I didn't leave until she wandered away and took the arm of a man in a blue suit and green stripes. I rushed over to where I last saw Gin. She noticed me as I approached her on the stairs before the entry.

"You're radiant," I breathed.

"Pinstripe," she said.

I was startled a moment before I saw her grin. I relaxed, now that I knew she wasn't making fun of me.

"The sun has set." Matter of factly she said it, softly, like a butterfly perhaps. "Come."

I followed out into the cold air, biting, but I only noticed it for a second. We wandered to the edge of the property, or at least to a decorated fence that stood some ways from the entrance. It served no purpose other than to look fancy. We leaned against it, pretending to be on a balcony. Or I was, at least.

"What a lovely night." I looked to her, dreamily, only to realize she was staring at the sky. Sheepishly, I looked too. I could see the Milky Way. We were out in the middle of nowhere.

For hours we talked, (ok fine, it was probably maybe only one) and suddenly there came a scream from inside.

We ran. The lights were off---the chandeliers!! What happened---

Wait. We burst into the ballroom, and stared at the lights. "They're flickering!" I panicked.

Just as suddenly, the lights went out. Ladies screamed again. Men shouted.

Then the lights returned, just as bright as before. An awed gasp went up from the audience, and then some cheered, more clapping. Music stared up again, a lively jaunt, as though nothing had happened.

I had been frozen in the doorway. I felt I knew what happened.

"They think it's part of the show." I turned to look at Gin, behind me. She went on, "The spirits undoubtedly want people to come and stay, so they shock and amuse." She frowned. "At least at first."

"We need to drive them away before it comes to that," I said, urgency slowly flooding my chest.

Her hand was on my arm, calming me. "Tomorrow."