You are cordially invited

[time_goes_by]

Who: OTA!
Where: The Keller house (A large Victorian House)
When: Evening

Janie wasn't surprised when Phillip asked her to do something in addition to her list of things to do regarding the campground incident, including helping in the lab, getting set up for shooting lessons, and getting supplies. He wanted to throw a dinner party for something he'd done at work. He asked that she hire a catering service and send out invitations.

After getting more information from him, she discovered that his company had discovered a way to make cheaper transitior radios. They would sell for $29.95, and the company was certain that would increase sales.

She thought the party was nice, but knew that part of it was to alleviate some of the mystery of the place. Phillip's family had once been rich and well-known, but over the years they had begun to fade into obscurity. When Phillip's pretty wife died sixteen years ago, he closed off the mansion and was rarely seen until several months ago.

Hours that could have been spent learning how to kill things, or studying so she could understand more science were spent cleaning, closing drafts, and giving out invitations. She was sure to give Mr.Chow one, since she was rather fond of the grumpy old man, almost begging that he come to the party. There was the bridge club, because they were her best friends, and all of the high society people, since Phillip insisted on it. She also invited Gloria and the people she'd seen around Rev.Templeton's church. Lynn was instructed(against Phillip's wishes) to invite as many friends as possible.

She was told not to invite anyone from the Texaco, so of course, she did. It would be a lively party, and she hoped to get her friends alone for at least a few minutes to talk about things.

Comments

[katherine_the_great]

Finally that damnable bridge club had been useful for something, Chester reflected, adjusting his suit jacket. He was at least passingly familiar with the family history of the house, and if Katherine's acquaintance with the servant girl meant they had an in to the high society party, he was determined to make the best of it. As long as Katherine didn't embarrass him.

"Chester. don't fret so much, and remember to be polite," Katie admonished as she leaned forward to ring the bell. As usual, she was dressed in a lovely evening dress, deep green with matching high heels and purse; Chester had practically insisted she wear it tonight, perhaps because of the sloping neckline.

[max_ine]

Maxine stepped out of Eric's car, and took a deep breath. For once, she was wearing a dress - and a pretty one at that, if a bit old-fashioned. It was a classic style, she supposed, even if it was from the 40s. One she hadn't had much call to wear since Joe had died. The deep blue color of it suited her. Though it had been let out a few times over the years, it was well-tailored and had been rather expensive in its day.

A smart little hat and gloves complimented the outfit. And coming around to her side of the car to take her arm was Eric. Having a date to this fancy party (and to Founder's Day for that matter) made her stomach flutter with butterflies.

In spite of everything bad going on in the town, what was going on with her and Eric definitely seemed good. She smiled as he took her arm and they headed up the driveway.

"Oh hey, it's Katie... and Chester."

[lancaster_industries]

Eric nodded politely to both of them. "Evening, folks. Lovely night for a party, isn't it?" His concession to the formality of the evening was a nice, well-pressed suit and well-combed hair that made him look unusually clean for someone who spent most of his time wrists-deep in engines.

[time_goes_by]

A sour-faced butler opened the door, and let the small group into the house, leading them through the impeccable home and to a large room on the first floor. A serving staff walked from guest to guest, offering hors d'oeuvres and the sound of a piano could be heard over the chitter chatter of the guests that were there.

"Hello!" Janie smiled, glad her friends could make it. She was not dressed like a maid, but instead in a gold evening gown. "I'm very glad that you could make it tonight.

Phillip Kellar walked over to the small group, and eyed Janie for a moment, since she was not supposed to invite some of the people in that group.

"Hello. I'm Phillip Kellar, it's nice to meet you. I assume that you are Chester Wilson?" asked Phillip, to Chester. He seemed to ignore everyone else, mostly because he'd really only wanted Janie to invite Katie, Chester, and that woman from the university.

Janie snagged a tray of drinks from a waiter, and offered them to her friends.

[katherine_the_great]

"You assume correctly, Mr. Kellar," Chester said with a polite smile, offering a hand to shake. "A pleasure to get to meet you." Katie accepted the drink with a smile and a nod. "Thank you, Janie."

[max_ine]

Maxine took a drink with a nod of thanks. "Great party you've got going," she said.

"Looks like half the town's here."

Or at least about half of the people at the party were people she knew.

[time_goes_by]

"Janie was in charge of getting the invitations out." Phillip said, with a frown "Chester, I understand you are in sales. One of my associates is interested to hear about your marketing strategy." He attempted to lead Chester to a group of men dressed in expensive tuxedos. "Their wives are chattering over there, Katie." Phillip pointed to a small group of women, and ignored Max, Eric and Vito.

"Thank you, Maxine." said Janie, after Phillip finished talking "I'm glad all of you are here. I was only given one restriction on who to invite, but I'm never that good at listening."

[katherine_the_great]

Chester headed along after Phillip. "Ah, I see... that's the trouble with trusting women to handle invitations, they invite all sorts of strange people if left to their own devices. And yes, I've been working on getting our brush lines cross-promoted into television spots and specials - it's really quite exciting."

Katie smiled politely, but didn't wander off just yet. "It's going to be one of those evenings, isn't it?"

[max_ine]

"I hope my date doesn't wander off for the exciting lure of brush and business," Max said, then gave Eric a grin because she was fairly sure he had zero interest in talking to Phillip, Chester and the businessmen.

"And heh-- it's pretty much always one of those evenings, Katie. At least lately."

[vito_marchese]

"Miss Maxine, good evening," Vito said. He had acquired a scotch on the rocks and fidgeted with the ice. "Looks like quite a turnout, eh? You look wonderful tonight, that's a very nice dress."

[time_goes_by]

"All of you look nice." Janie said "Are you two here on a date, Eric and Maxine? Is that something I shouldn't be asking? Just ignore Phillip. Mr.Phillip, whatever I'm supposed to be calling him. Those guys will be over there talking for a while."

[lancaster_industries]

"Well, as you know, it's improper for a lady to attend a social function such as this without an escort," Eric answered with a smile.

[max_ine]

Maxie grinned. "Yeah, he's my escort-- for here and Founder's Day."

Speaking of dates and escorts-- Maxine looked from Janie to Vito with a questioning look.

[vito_marchese]

Vito cleared his throat and took a big swig of his drink.

"So, how about them Yankees?"

[time_goes_by]

Janie smiled at Vito for a moment, then looked confused when he asked about the Yankees.

"Phillip isn't fond of Vito, but... he- erm. Yes, but it's not the most socially acceptable thing. I guess we don't have to worry about Vito losing any business since what happened at the Sunoco... right? Or did I just say something that I'm not supposed to?"

[max_ine]

Maxine grinned and mimed sealing her lips. "Don't worry," she said after 'throwing away the key', "your secret is safe with me."

She liked both Vito and Janie and thought they made a fine couple anyhow. And with everything going on in the town, it was hardly a time to be worried over social niceties.

[katherine_the_great]

Katie raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment further on the matter. She did spare a glance over to where Chester seemed to be making himself at home chatting with other affluent gentlemen, shaking her head. "I never can enjoy the vapid talk."

[time_goes_by]

"Those women are none to nice." Janie said, referring to the group of wives that Phillip recommended "And I never liked vapid talk much either, but I haven't had much time to see anyone, so I thought... Well, there's something I want to show you, but I'll see if anyone else shows up first. Most of all, I want everyone to have a good time."

[vito_marchese]

"Business has acutally been okay," Vito said. "I do need to get more guns, soon, and talk to that guy about the bullet ... oh. Um. Something crossed my mind." He lowered his voice. "I think the guys from the Sunoco station were buried in the bottom of that pothole."

[katherine_the_great]

Katie frowned. She supposed it -would- be an efficient use of a hole in the road, all things considered, and if the road was being watched anyhow, certainly anyone digging the area up would be noticed quickly. "Chester has a pistol he keeps in his closet with his 'civil defense preparedness' things, but honestly, I'd be worried about carrying a gun around... I'd be worried I'd shoot the wrong person."

[lancaster_industries]

In a nonjudgmental tone, Eric commented, "Besides, ladies aren't generally expected to handle the shooting responsibilities. But civil defense... you know, maybe if you were interested in that sort of thing, you could have a good reason to learn. All part of being a responsible citizen, defending the homestead against the Communists, all that such. And would explain why you're snooping around places where you oughtn't -- all part of ferreting out Communism. Isn't that the American Way or something?"

[max_ine]

She gave Katie and Janie a smile as the idea Eric was giving them sunk in.

"Maybe we can start a women's civil defense class at the firing range. I bet Fred could teach us all the basics. And that'd be a good reason for all the women of the town to go down and get some practice in. Doing our civic duty and all that.

I know I want go get some practice in. I've got Joe's service pistol at home, but I'm not all that good with how to use it."

[katherine_the_great]

Katie pondered. "You know... that could work." She cast a glance over her shoulder at where Chester was still chatting amiably with his new buddies. "If I sold it right, I could even get Chester to help. He likes feeling important..."

[time_goes_by]

"And... If we stuck a poster up for those radios, I'm sure Phillip would put some money towards it." said Janie, liking that idea. "He's trying to improve his image. That's why we're having this party. Oh, I've been stocking supplies too. We'd started, since he's having that bomb shelter built, but I thought with everything happening, it would be smart to gather as much as we can."

[katherine_the_great]

"I suppose I should go mingle, just in case the boys come looking for me," Katie said, eyeing the wives' group. "I actually recognize Mrs. Daugherty from church, at least."