chapter 3- part 1

Chapter 3 - The Masquerade

By the time Evelyn returned to the roller skate diner the guests and corporate had arrived. She went up to one of the cast members and ordered her favorite burger from Penelope’s Pitstop.

“Avocado, fried egg, cheddar cheese, sweet pickles, on Texas toast with bacon Mac and cheese, and fries,” one of the cast verified as they skated up to Evelyn’s table.

She smiled and nodded, satisfied with herself. Letting out a little sigh she thought of how nice it was to finally get a bite of food without an interruption from Sam.

“Evelyn?” she didn’t even get to enjoy the first bite. She held back an irritated groan.
Swallowing she looked up to a group of three. Two of the faces she recognized. Andy being one, stood off a little to the side.

“Hello Marissa! What a pleasure to see you again,” she flashed her corporate coworker a quick grin.

“Oh no, I hope we aren’t interrupting your lunch! I just would like to ask you a quick favor, dear.” The older woman clucked in a fake friendly tone.

“Oh no, not an interruption at all,” Evenly lied through and a friendly grin.

The older woman nodded approval, “This is my daughter Stacey. She did ballet for a couple years, and she’s danced in several plays. She wants to make the switch to acting. She’s been applying as a cast member. You wouldn’t mind taking some extra time with her to talk about the role, show her the ropes, and maybe give her an idea of what it entails.”

Evelyn nodded, “I’d be happy to! Just keep in mind, Sam is in charge of the Cast. I do character and story design.”

Marissa nodded but Evelyn felt as if her last sentence had been completely ignored.
“Why don’t we catch up with you back on the ship!” Marissa chattered. Then she, Stacey and Andy returned back to the rink and resumed with the crowd.

Now Evelyn was free to let out a little groan. While distracted with Stacey and her mother she didn’t notice Sam slink back and rejoin the cast members. Sam had refitted herself with new shirt from the gift shop along with the dolphin shorts. Mainly because she’d dripped ice cream on her uniform but, the new shirt was also much more comfortable.

Evelyn finished her burger and buried her nose back into her tablet.

————-
Back on the ship Evelyn unlocked the door to the cast room for Stacey. She watched the petite, young adult, walk into the darkened room.
“Here is where most of the behind the scenes action happens,” Evelyn smiled.

“Interesting,” Stacey droned, looking anything but interested.
Evelyn took a moment to think.
“Do you have your VR chip on you?”

Stacey nodded.
“Follow me,” Evelyn instructed with a grin. She led Stacey back to her cabin.

“Alright, put your VR chip on,” Evelyn smiled.
“The dinner theme tonight is Masquerade ball. I have a screen in my room for designing your virtual appearance. We can design your costume for tonight.”

Stacey’s expression finally looked a little engaged.
Sighing in relief Evelyn opened the door. The VR emitters started, and the normally bland cruise cabin metamorphosed. Stacey stepped onto a lush patch of clover. In the center of the room was a bed, soft and pristine. The bed was suspended from a tree by white satin ribbon like a swing. Cascading from the ribbons were white gardenia blooms. The blossoms were clustered together at the base of the suspended bed creating a canopy. A gentle breeze made the bed sway and caused a down pour of white petals like warm fragrant snow.
There was a little trickling stream behind the bed and further back there was a long arrangement of various white flowers carrying on far past where the eye could see. A monarch butterfly landed on Stacey’s nose, and Evelyn let out a soft giggle.
“Sorry I forgot to shut off my Moon Garden VR simulation this morning. I find it relaxing. The white blossoms reflect the moonlight, and most of the flowers are more fragrant at night.”
She began fiddling around in the room until a screen came up. Stacey stepped in front of it, and began to swipe through outfit settings. With each swipe her appearance immediately changed.
Stacey finally turned around to face Evelyn. She had and imperial looking gown on. Her masquerade mask had extended edges with decorative French curves. The intricate dips and curves trailed down far below her jaw. The mask was encrusted with jewels anywhere there wasn’t velvet or lace. The dress was a rich mauve. The warm mauve tone complimented Stacey’s auburn hair that fell in thick waves around her. There were accents of black in the middle of the dress. The corset top (not that Stacey needed one) had a sweetheart neckline that plunged in the center. The back of the corset was laced with golden ribbon. Little gold accents gave the dress a warm sparkle.

“Gorgeous,” Evelyn breathed.
“I do pride myself on my style,” Stacey replied confidently.
Stacey stood there in the mirror admiring herself for a few more moments.

“Well I guess we should be getting you back to your group,” Evelyn hopped off her swinging bed. An array of butterflies touched down on her shoulders and head. The beautiful creatures seemed to be begging her to stay. She let them sit where they lay. Her face brimming with happiness. It was becoming clear this was one of her favorite places to be.
“Wait,” Stacey said softly. Evelyn looked away from a butterfly on her shoulder.
“I’m going to get the cast job right? With these looks I’m a shoo-in.” Stacey continued.

Evelyn’s smile flatlined.
“Stacey...” Evelyn began carefully. “I’m not a programmer, but my design choices go into every aspect of the virtual reality. Every VR space on the island and the ship is my carefully planned masterpiece. I am the artist, and I’m constantly improving my masterpiece. You understand as a cast member you will be my paintbrush?” Evelyn motioned around her moon garden, “I spend a lot of time creating, and improving my work. I expect you to spend a lot of time on your craft as well.”

Stacey frowned unhappily. Evelyn braced herself but nothing could prepare her for what would come next.
“Maybe you’d go easier on me and expect less if I did you some special favors?” Stacey responded.
Evelyn squinted with frustration.
“The quality of my work is more important, no matter how special the favor is,” Evelyn’s voice lingered in the air anxiously.

Stacey reached for the sweetheart neckline of her top. She yanked it all the way down completely exposing her bare chest underneath, “My favors are pretty special!” Her voice commanding.

“Get out!” Evelyn’s voice was quiet and monotone, “Please get out of my room.”
When the door finally shut behind Stacey Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief.
——————-

“Okay, let me get this straight. You somehow made it into her room, and she showed you her moon garden?” Andy paused looking at the obviously annoyed Stacey.
“Then you flashed her?” Andy sighed

“She was like, calling me a tool, or something. You told me to try to seduce her. You said she likes girls,” Stacey rebutdtaled

“Can you walk me through it in a little more in detail?” Andy responded seriously peeved at this point.
Stacey relayed more exact details to Andy. Surprisingly, her account of events was close to accurate.

Andy sighed as the story began to unfold.
“So what you’re telling me is,
She tells you she wants you to work hard, to be part of her masterpiece. You’re looking at her, sat in her gorgeous garden, covered in butterflies. ” Andy paused and Stacey nodded yes.

“That’s when you thought it would be a good time to get the titties out?!” Andy groaned incredulously.

“I panicked. The only person I’ve ever seduced was a TA in chemistry.” Stacey complained.

Andy shook his head in disbelief. “ I can’t believe you. You somehow manage to get into her bed room. You admire her intricately designed garden, listen to her spiel on dedication to work. Through all this it never crosses your mind seducing her was going to take a little more finesse?”

“What do you want me to do? Write her a poem?” Stacey growled back.

“No, but maybe, try harder when you’re trying the same thing with Sam,” Andy responded matching her angry tone.
——-
With the Masquerade dinner show the dinning hall was transformed into a Cistercian castle. Evelyn barely noticed the rocky brick, and the arched hallway as she stumbled in. The chandeliers were already dimmed and she thought she could hear talking. She saw Charlie, in a purple mask with long peacock feathers sticking out from it.
“You’re late, they’re about to finish main course.” Whispered Charlie in a hushed voice.

Evelyn just nodded. She didn’t want to be there. She was terrified she’d run into Stacey, or worse Marissa. She found an empty table and sat down. To her relief, Rory found her. Much like the night before he loaded up her table with entrees and starters. She made a mental note that she owed him. She would tell Sam he needed a bigger role in one of the shows.

Sam crossed her mind again. She felt her chest pang longingly for the familiar voice, and predictably. She rationalized she’d be safer from lingering embarrassment, If there was someone with her. She scanned the room hopefully. A second later she wished she had not. A couple tables over sat Sam and Stacey. Stacey had hiked her period-accurate gown to her upper thigh level. Puffery and ruffles overflowed the chair she was in. Stacey was draping a bare, dainty ballerina leg over Sam’s lap. Evelyn watched miserably enthralled. Sam threw back her head, opening her mouth. Stacey dramatically dropped a cream puff in. Then another went in her mouth.