Costume Rabbit Night extended preview

Extended preview for my Official Patrons.  Other tiers already have full access.

Samantha reached into her purse as her phone began to ring. “Hello?”

“Sammy. It’s Ben. How are you doing?”

She sighed. “Hey, Ben. Having another get-together, are you?”

“What? I haven’t even said anything yet?”

She rolled her green eyes. “Because you only call when you want me to come over for one of your crazy parties.” She tapped her left hand on the table. “Why don’t you ever call for, I don’t know, coffee? Or maybe to go out to eat? With how much we see each other, you would think we would do something besides hang out at silly parties.”

“They are not silly. They are the best thing this side of the state.”

She laughed. “Oh, please. You rent a dingy motel half the time. My cousins twenty birthday party was better than your last three parties, and we just went down to the beach down the road and went skinny dipping.”

“Hey, I don’t want to hear what crazy shit your family finds fun. Look, are you coming or not?”

Samantha shrugged. “Who knows? I might be busy this week.”

“What about tonight?”

She held out her hand in front her of head and examined her nails.

“Let me check my schedule.” She waited a long and excruciating minute. “I think so. But I will have to just squeeze it in.”

“Ughhh. Well, make adjustments, Sammy. And get a costume. A Wonderland costume.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I am going to throw the biggest theme party of the year. Vess is not going to out stage me another year.” There was a moment of silence. “I will see you in about two hours then. Catch you then.”  The line went dead.

Samantha sighed. “A Wonderland-themed party?” She shook her head and slid her phone back into her purse. “Well, at least it isn’t just going to be another drunken motel visit.” Her phone vibrated. “I knew he forgot something.” She pulled out her phone to see a text from Ben.

“Oh, I forgot. The part will be at the Wondersky Motel. I know that you can find it as it is the same place as before. I just thought that since it is a Wonderland-themed party that, Wondersky would be a great place to have it, right? I knew you would agree.”

Samantha slapped her face. “Cheap ass.” She shook her face. “Now, I almost wish I had something going on tonight.” She set her phone down the side of the oak table. “I guess it is a good thing I have an Alice costume from last year.” She laughed as she walked into the next room. “My boyfriend at the time insisted that we go to this parade as Alice and the Mad Hatter, but when I actually tried and met up with him, he had taken some bimbo I didn’t know in a Red Queen outfit.” She shook her head. “It was the worst Halloween I had ever had.”

She opened her closet and pulled the Alice dress down from a hanger. “Well, it will be nice to get dressed up again. Even if I am going to be with a bunch of drunk fools.” She threw the dress onto the floor. “That is the only issue I have with Ben’s parties.” She pulled out the white apron and leggings. “He sometimes supplies too much booze.” Samantha pulled out the petticoat and turned around. “There, I think that is everything for the outfit except for the heels. But I left those by the door.” She laughed. “I like those so much I wear those casually.”

She threw her clothes onto the floor and shook her long dark hair. Samantha then slid the long white tights up her pale skin. “Wow, I forgot how tight of a fit these things are.” She winced as she pulled them up around her waist. “Ok, that is good.” She then picked up the dress and slid it over her body, followed by the apron. Finally, she slid the petticoat up under her dress. “Nice, I look like Alice already.” Samantha admired herself in the mirror. “Well, I hope that no one else dresses up like her at the party, or this will be embarrassing.”

She sighed. “Still, I feel like something is missing.” She snapped her fingers. “The bow.” She twisted around and searched her closet. “I know it’s around here somewhere. Ugh.”

She pushed on the sides of her dress and squeezed into her closet. “I should have gotten the bow out of here before putting on this puffy petticoat.” She shook her head and noticed the white bow sitting on a ledge above her head. “There it is.” She reached up and grabbed it. “Got you.”

Samantha then fell backward and out of the closet. “Ouff.” She fell onto her butt and rubbed her head. “Well, at least I am ready to go.” She tied the bow around her chest. “Hopefully, it will be better than I am expecting.” She made her way to her feet. “And nothing weird will happen this time.”

***

About an hour later, Samantha stood outside of the Wondersky motel as she hugged herself for warmth. “I don’t know why Ben thought it was a good idea to have a costume party in winter. I should have remembered my coat.” She walked forward, her Alice dress dragging in the nearby snow. “When I get inside, I am going to hover over one of the vents until I warm up. Brrr.”

She walked up to a door covered in giant playing cards and teacups. “I am guessing this is the room Ben rented this time.” She shivered and ran her hands along her dress before she knocked. “Well, it better be. I can’t stand being out here another minute.”

The door suddenly opened, and Norman blinked his amber eyes at him. “Oh, hey, Samantha.”

She shivered as she answered. “Hey. Where is your costume?”

“I am not dressing up no matter how much Ben complains.” He crossed his dark arms. “He can whine all he wants, but I only dress up when I want to. Besides, have you seen how cold it is outside? You would have to be crazy to dress up today.”

Samantha snorted. “I know, right. Now can you let me inside?”

“Oh, sorry.” He stepped aside.

She rushed inside and shivered as Norman closed the door behind her. “Any longer out there, and I would have turned into a popsicle.” She looked around at the half a dozen people gathered in the small room in Alice in Wonderland outfits. “Bigger turn out than Ben usually gets.”

“Ya, but don’t tell him that.” Norman leaned against the door. “You know how he is with these things.” He laughed. “Also, nice dress Sammy.”

She brushed the snow off of her dress. “You know I hated it when people call me that.”

“Ya, that is why I called you that.” He laughed and walked away.

She looked around the room. “Well, I don’t see Ben anywhere. This is my time to hit the refreshments.”

She walked over to a table full of Eat Me cookies, and red punch marked Drink Me. “Well, isn’t this quaint.” She picked up a cookie. “Mhhm, chocolate chip.”

“Oh, hey, Sammy.”

She looked up to see Ben as he adjusted his giant hat. “Oh, nice Mad Hatter outfit.”

“Thanks.” He set down a plate of carrots. “Like the Wonderland-themed food?”

“Umm, I guess. But what are the carrots for?”

“Umm, duh. From Fredricks Rabbits garden, what else?”

“Hey, Ben.” He turned his head. “Where is the booze already?”

He turned around. “Don’t worry, Ester. I will go outside and bring it in.” He turned his head. “I will be right back, Sammy. Enjoy yourself. Mingle. You know. Have fun until I bring in the fun stuff.” He rushed off.”

She sighed. “Ya, whatever.” She picked up a carrot. “I am not sure I am going to stay long once the beer is out anyways.” Her eyes went wide after she took a bite out of the carrot.

“Wow, this thing is strong.” She took another bite. “What did Ben put into this? It is a waterfall of favors.” She shook her head. “Whoh.”

“Hey, Sammy, hold this.” Ben thrust a six-pack of beer into her hands. He then set the rest of the beverages onto the table before taking the booze out of her hands. “Ok, everyone, time to party.” He then put the beer down on the table.

Samantha smiled as her heart began to race. Ben looked at her. “Hey, are you alright?”

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“Your cheeks are all red.”

Samantha shook her head. “I just feel a bit hot. I think the change in temperature is getting to me. I was freezing just minutes ago, and now it is so hot in here.”

Ben laughed. “What are you talking about? IT is almost as cold in here as it is outside.” He narrowed his green eyes at her. “You are not sick or something, are you?”

“Of course not.” She took a deep breath. “Just because I feel a little hot doesn’t mean there is something wrong with me.” She scratched at the side of her dress. “And itchy.

Why is it so muggy in here?”

Ben sighed. “Look, Sammy. Thanks for coming and all but ya.” He turned around. “Heather.”

Samantha continued to scratch at her chest. “Ugh, what is going on?” She looked around. “I need to get to the bathroom. I am guessing that is where they have the controls to the heat around here as I haven’t seen it anywhere else in this beaten-down dump.” She shook her head. “Otherwise, I might have to spend the party sitting just outside the door.

That will be sooo much fun.”

She made her way to the bathroom. Once inside, she closed the door behind her. “Ok, where is the humidity control.” She shook her head. “Ugh danmit, all I don’t’ see it. Uhhhh.” She began to rub her right hand vigorously. “This itching is getting out of control.” Tiny white hairs began to poke out of her hand as she scratched. “Huh?” She held her shaky hand in front of her face as thick white hair covered the back of it.“What is happening to me? Owww!”