The Phantom of The Country Club
Summer 1988
Tony eyed the invitation once more; he'd been looking at it repeatedly since it had arrived by special messenger this afternoon. The invitation was to the Masquerade Ball at the Fairfield Country Club; that in itself was enough to floor him, but the accompanying note was that part that completely threw him for a loop:
"Please by my guest at the Ball. I'll be dressed as Christine from "The Phantom of the Opera," awaiting my Phantom so we can make beautiful "Music of the Night'."
Tony was still in shock. Who could have sent him such an invitation? Dare he go? Whoever sent him the invitation had to be well connected enough to be part of the Country Club; but he didn't know anyone there beside Angela and Mona, and he was very certain neither one of them sent the invite. He'd have to make sure Jonathan wasn't up to his old tricks again. He didn't want to show up at the Ball only to find out Jonathan had set him up with his mother again. Maybe it was someone from the Parents Association? The Chaneys were divorcing, maybe the soon to be former Mrs. Chaney would be his Christine? A smile came over his face, he would have no argument with that, the woman always added a nice touch to the meetings.
After making sure Jonathan had not set them up, Tony rented a Phantom costume, complete with half mask and went to the Ball to meet his secret admirer. He searched for quite some time to find his Christine, with the show having just opened on Broadway a few months ago it seemed that half of Fairfield decided to dress up as the Phantom characters.
The invitation sender hadn't counted on the ballroom being filled with Christines and Phantoms; she continually scanned the ballroom looking for Tony but so far had only found five false Phantoms, four Dukes of Earl, three Han Solos, two Supermans, and an Elvis Presley who told her he wasn't a Hound Dog and begged her to keep him from Heartbreak Hotel by giving him her phone number. "Christine" refused.
Finally, she saw him from across the crowded room: Tony. Poor guy was at a loss, looking for someone he didn't even know. She'd have to come to his rescue, if only she could get across the dance floor without being accosted by another Phantom. Tony continued to look around, trying to see if anyone was looking for him. Maybe the whole thing was a joke; cooked up by...he didn't know who to get back at him for something. Maybe he should leave, he thought. This was a big crowd and he didn't know anyone. Just then a waiter passed by carrying glasses of champagne. Tony decided to hang around a while longer; if his Christine never showed up at least he could have champagne and shrimp.
"Christine" finally managed to make it through the crowd, she was behind Tony scared out of her wits. He was completely unaware of her presence. She had to calm down, she could do this. Slowly, step by step she tiptoed up behind him. "Hi," she whispered. Tony didn't hear her over the music.
This was crazy, what was she doing? She should turn around right now, let Tony think he'd been stood up. Just then Tony turned around to see a vision in a late Victorian white bridal gown before him. She wore a long brown curly wig and a lacy mask. Tony had to admire the Victorian fashion of low cut bodices.
"Hi," Tony said, "you looking for me?"
She nodded. He was relieved. They stared at each other for a couple of minutes, neither quite knowing what to say.
"How about a dance?" Tony finally thought to ask.
"Christine" nodded.
She wasn't very talkative.
Tony took "Christine's" hand and led her to the dance floor. He put one hand on her waist and she almost felt faint. Tony had finally put a hand on her, it was a dream come true and it sent chills through her. They started a slow waltz for what else could they dance to in these costumes? The Hustle certainly wouldn't work. "Christine" felt the room swirl around her as Tony led her in the dance. His hold on her was strong; but not forceful. She felt safe and protected; yet there was also the promise of illicit courtship in the dance. It was a thrilling combination.
"Thanks for sending me the invitation; it's not often I get to such a swanky affair," Tony said, trying to get his mystery Christine to speak.
"Christine" couldn't speak. The moment Tony had said "affair" she lost her head, all she could think about was her desire for him. He was wearing a tux and he filled it out so well. He was holding her close and it was intoxicating; she was a woman in overdrive, desperately wanting this hunk of a man. She was throwing away all her inhibitions; now all she had to do was share her interest with Tony. She smiled at him. He smiled back.
The music ended and "Christine" was relieved; there was a quiet patio through the French doors. She took Tony's hand and tugged; silently asking him to follow. Tony was game for anything. Whoever this woman was, she obviously wanted him here. They found a deserted corner, populated only by several potted trees which provided complete seclusion.
Alone in the darkness of the patio, "Christine" was having a difficult time catching her breath. This was partly due to the tightness of her dress and even more partly due to Tony's proximity.
Tony looked at the vision before him, she was nervous, but willing; it didn't take much to figure that out. "You want some champagne?" he asked. She nodded, then shook her head.
OK, so she was indecisive; he could deal with that.
"I'm sorry," she said in a voice not really hers, "I just can't believe you're here...I mean...we're here...together."
Whoever she was, she was cute.
"I'm glad we are." If it had been possible, Tony would have seen a charming blush on her face, but it was hidden by her mask. He stepped a little closer to her, "so here we are out here in the moonlight, in which you look enchanting."
"Thank you," she whispered gripping her hands in front of her out of nervousness. She wasn't nervous that he would touch her; she was nervous that he wouldn't.
"You have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don't know yours."
"Just call me Christine," she said. Fine, if that's what she wanted, that's what he'd do.
"Christine," he reached out to touch her cheek and she sighed. All Tony could think was that this "Christine" had better be who he thought she was. Tony didn't hesitate any longer, he leaned in to kiss this beautiful enigmatic woman. "Christine" felt Tony's lips touch hers and wasn't sure how she remained standing. Fortunately Tony sensed her almost swoon and put his arm around her, she put her hands on his arms and held on for dear life. The kiss was slow, sweet; yet insistent enough to ignite the flash point of "Christine's" passion.
He kissed his way down her low scooped neckline, stopping at its lowest point in between her breasts. He took his time kissing and licking the tender spot, enjoying the way her breathing became more and more shallow while her heart beat more and more quickly. "Tony," she whimpered which only spurred his own libido into a higher gear. He moved her back against a stone pillar for better leverage and placed both hands at her waist. She moved her hands up to stroke his neck as she leaned against the pillar for support.
Tony leaned in again, this time nuzzling at her ear lobe and he wound an arm around her. She ran her fingers through his thick, luxurious hair.
"Christine" ached to unbutton Tony's shirt and have her way with his chest; but she wanted him to take the lead in this, wanted his ultra-masculinity to be at the point. Speaking of the point, Tony was pressing in on "Christine" and she was very, very happy that even through all the layers of the voluminous skirt she was wearing, she could still feel Tony getting his point across.
It wouldn't hurt for "Christine" to take a little initiative, would it? In the haze of her cloudy mind "Christine" decided it would not hurt, in fact it could be very pleasant. So she dropped one of her hands down to cup around the virility of Tony's manhood.
Tony was so shocked he almost stopped the nibbling of "Christine's" neck that he was doing. Almost, but not quite.
"Christine" decided to be a little bolder and unzipped Tony's pants and slipping her hand into his boxers; making sure her own point was getting across.
She definitely had Tony's full attention now; she had Tony's full attention before too, but now he was sent into overdrive. When Tony was previously nipping at the top of "Christine's" bodice he noticed that the garment was secured by a hook and eye closure. A few slips of the wrist and "Christine" would be free from the "ties" that bound her. Tony pulled far enough away to look "Christine" in the eye as he passionately unhooked the corset top. A firm tug at the chemise left "Christine" exposed and glowing in the moonlight. She looked exquisite.
"No bra!" Tony thought, "score! Gotta love those Victorians and their faux-prudish underwear!" Tony went into full on breast worship; taking care of one luscious pearl with his mouth and the other with his hand, periodically switching.
"Christine" lost the point as it was becoming more and more difficult for her to stay standing. She had to grasp the pillar behind her as slipped further and further into blissful oblivion.
"Tony, don't stop; don't ever stop," she begged.
He obliged.
She couldn't stand it anymore, she pulled up her skirt and wound a leg around Tony; hoping to gain some strength from his vast supply of muscles. This put Tony over the edge; he paused long enough in his obliging to look up at "Christine's" face. She didn't need to say the word "yes" as it was written in her eyes.
Tony pulled her skirt up a little more; he could feel the unusual sensation of stockings; no pantyhose tonight. "Why did stockings ever go out of style" Tony wondered as stroked his hand up the interior of "Christine's" thigh feeling her bare skin. She wasn't even wearing panties; obviously "Christine" had a plan in mind when she sent the party invitation. She was warm and willing; and he got the point across, causing her to gasp "Tony!" at the sensation.
He delved into her sweet femininity, enjoying her heat and every soft curve her body had to offer. She put her arms around him and held on tightly as her world was exploding in an array of ecstasy that she had never felt before.
Neither knew how long they managed to stay together, but when it was over; "Christine" was a sated shell of her former self, back to holding on to the pillar for support. She was blissfully happy, yet unable to speak; she looked at him and he responded by cupping her cheek and kissing her.
She put her arms around his neck again, holding him close; never wanting to let go and wishing they could stay right here forever. If she could freeze a moment in time, this would be it. Actually it would have been a few minutes previously, but she wasn't thinking clearly enough to make that distinction.
They held each other until the moon disappeared behind the clouds. From inside the ballroom they heard the Master of Ceremonies announce that it was ten minutes until the unmasking.
As "Christine" had already been as unmasked as she cared to be; she had to tear herself away from Tony to protect her anonymity. She started to adjust her clothing. Tony put a hand over hers to stop her, "what are you doing?"
"I have to go."
"You becoming Cinderella now?"
"Tony, please."
He let go, "ok, ok."
"Thanks," she said as she kissed his cheek; meaning thanks for letting her go, not thanks for the sex, well ok, some thanks for that too; but Tony knew what she meant. He helped her finish hooking up the corset which was damned near as sexy an action as unhooking it; especially the way he was looking at her as he did it. It was only the time crunch that kept "Christine" from throwing caution to the wind again. Tony took a few moments to make sure all his clothing was in pristine form as well.
"Am I presentable?" she asked, flipping her long brown curls over her bodice.
"You look gorgeous."
She closed her eyes and took a very deep breath. "I look freshly...loved" was all she could think.
"57 seconds until unmasking," came a voice from the ballroom, bringing "Christine" back to reality.
"Gotta go," she said as she ran off.
"Don't I even get a slipper, Cinderella?" Tony said to no one as she was gone.