1487 words

Chapter Twenty-One, Just a Costume 2: Redressed

The team left the ARC together, with Jess. Lester was going to pick up his wife and meet them at Jess' flat.

Jess' mood did not improve. She grumbled as she poured herself some wine, sitting down at the kitchen table. She was in no hurry to dress for going out.

Abby and the others however, went ahead and changed.

Emily came out in her American suffragette costume.

"I'm not sure this really matches you," said Matt, coming out in an American gangster outfit: pinstriped pants, old-fashioned suit coat, and fake Tommy gun. "But it is the same country."

Emily smiled. "I think you look...dangerous."

He smirked. "Then it's me."

She laughed and kissed him.

Abby came out of her room giggling. "I'm bad."

She was dressed as Jane, in a brown, fur-lined toga-like dress complete with fur-lined boots. She carried a fake chimpanzee.

"Come on out, Conn," she said with a smirk.

Slowly he appeared. "I hate you," he said. He was Tarzan, an unhappy Tarzan. Abby couldn't help but giggle.

"You're mean," he said.

Matt laughed. Emily smiled. Even Jess managed to giggle.

"It's my turn to choose," said Abby.

"You just chose these to just to embarrass me!"

Abby laughed. "Embarrass you? How? Connor, you're hot."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she said.

"Thank you," he said. He pulled at his costume. "I guess the diaper isn't that small."

"It's a loin cloth," she said, smirking.

"It feels like a diaper."

Matt couldn't help it. He was enjoining Connor's pain, so he whistled and said, "Nice legs, man."

"Abby! Cheeky blokes will be doing this all night!"

"Connor, you look good. I promise."

"Can't we change into wookies or droids?"

"No. We wore those last weekend to Darwin's party."

"You have to take turns, Connor," said Jess. "Like me and Becker. Last year we went to your mate's Star Wars party. This year we skipped."

Connor smirked. "Yeah. Becker had enough of my mates, I guess. And your Leia costume."

Jess frowned. "I'd prefer to forget that."

"You looked hot," said Connor.

Abby hit him. "That was for Becker."

Jess giggled.

"Aren't you going to get dressed?" Abby asked her. Jess was still sitting, drinking wine.

Finally, Jess frowned. "I guess. I don't want to go, though. Emily, I need your help." She disappeared into her room with Emily. After a few minutes Jess said, "Ok. I'm coming out." She wore a long black dress, completely covering her.

They all did a double take. "No one gets to see my legs if Becker can't," she said.

"What are you?" asked Connor.

"I'm a widow."

"Gross," said Connor.

"Depressing," agreed Matt.

"Too bad."

"Actually, she's wearing my Day of the Dead costume," said Emily. "I shortened it for her."

"Thank you, Emily. This is the only costume I can wear. It matches how I feel," she said sadly.

Abby hugged her. "Cheer up. Becker might still make it."

Jess nodded. "I have happier costumes in my bag in case he does."

Abby nodded. "Good. Let's go."

"Wait. Aren't we waiting for Lester?" asked Connor.

"The king has arrived," said a grandiose voice in Jess' main hallway.

A tall, kingly figure strolled into view. Lester wore a luxurious red trouser with gold trim. His coat was very lavish and rich-looking. There were many medallions, jewels and elaborate embroidery on it. A shiny sword in an jewel encrusted scabbard hu ng at his side. Finally, a tall shiny gold crown sat atop his head.

Lester made a deep bow. "Arthur has returned."

Jess was speechless but Connor burst out laughing and clapping.

Matt shook his head while Abby chuckled. Emily was still.

"Um...nice costume," said Jess.

Lester nodded. "It better be for the price I paid."

"He's insane, isn't he?" asked another voice.

"Ah, here is Guinevere."

Mrs. Lester walked in, wearing a lovely golden gown. It was trimmed in aged lace, ribbons, and beads. The dress was huge, filling the hallway. "I feel silly," she said. "This dress is too big."

"Nonsense. Guinevere is properly attired," said the king.

She sighed. "We're too old, James. Arthur and Guinevere should be younger, prettier people."

"Balderdash," he said majestically.

"Nonsense," said Matt. "You're lovely."

She blushed and nodded. "Thank you."

"Yes, you're a good knight," said Lester. "Darn. I should have had you all appareled as knights and ladies in waiting. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Sorry. They wore that last year," said Jess. "Come on, let's get going. If we have to."

"Are you alright, dear?" asked Mrs. Lester.

"She's just cranky because the Captain is detained," said the King.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe we should sit this one out..."

"Guinevere! I command you to desist that kind of talk. We are all going. To the carriages!"

"Is he going to be talking like that all night?" asked Connor.

"I'm afraid he will," said Mrs. Lester crossly.

The team laughed.

"Did you hear me?" bellowed the king. "Let us go!"

"Fine!" cried Jess. "The sooner we get this over with the sooner I can come home to my wine...and Becker, hopefully!"

Abby laughed and took her arm. The entourage followed the once and future king out.

Jess didn't insist on multiple club hopping, which frankly, bothered no one. So they showed up early to Dance Your Abs Off.

Joe greeted them. He was dressed as hippie.

"I thought you would wear a costume," joked Connor.

"Funny," said Joe. "Where's..."

"Don't ask," said about five voices.

"He's not here," said Jess. "Delayed by work."

"Oh. I'm so sorry, Jess."

Jess smiled sadly at Joe. "Thank you."

"You look awesome. Hold it. I didn't sell you that. Jess, are you cheating on me with another shop?"

Jess giggled. "He he. You're funny. Of course not!"

"It is mine," said Emily. "However, I did purchase it from you."

"Oh, that explains it. Jess' costumes have a way of etching in my mind. I try to forget. I swear."

Jess giggled again. "I believe you. Wearing anything else just didn't feel right. I'm in mourning."

"But your man is alive and well," he said.

"Yeah. And I"ll see him soon," Jess said, but added, "after Halloween probably." She sighed and moved to find a seat. "Someone order me wine, lots of it."

Slowly the night moved along. More dancers arrived. The music got louder. Jess had more wine. Abby finally cut her off so she'd be sober when (and if) Becker arrived.

She was forced to dance. Honestly, she was touched by her friends' concern. She was even commanded to dance with Arthur.

But most of the night she was content to sit and wait for Becker or for the evening to end.

It was about two hours into the party. Jess was sitting alone.

Abby and Connor, breathless from dancing joined her. Abby frowned. "Still no Becker?"

Jess shook her head.

"I'm sorry."

Jess nodded.

Connor stole a sip of Jess' water.

"It won't be too much longer til the contest," said Connor. "I really wish we could change."

"Sorry, Connor. No," said Abby.

Matt and Emily joined them. "I do not like the one in charge of the music," said Emily. "He is rude. I should teach him manners."

Matt laughed. "Arthur commanded you not to."

Emily smirked. "Indeed."

"What happened?" asked Jess.

Matt smirked. "She asked for a waltz."

"They played one, didn't they?" asked Jess.

"They have played three," said Emily. "Three is not sufficient."

Matt laughed. "That's why she and the music director are not friends."

Jess giggled. "Oh. I'm sorry Emily."

"Thank you. We shall sit with you."

Jess nodded. "Fine."

Matt looked around. "Becker?"

Jess shook her head.

"Sorry."

Mrs. Lester joined them. "No, James, I will not dance anymore. And I swear if you utter one more 'command' I'll belt you."

The team laughed.

"I could send you to the headsman for mutiny, my dear," he said.

"Go ahead," she answered.

"When is the contest?" asked Lester. "I'm ready for my prize."

"Oh, boy," said Abby, with a laugh.

"Something's happening on stage," said Connor. "Maybe it's time."

They all turned to see the lights going up on stage. The whole area glowed.

"What kind of lights are those?" asked Jess.

"I dunno," said Connor.

They watched the shiny lights. Then they all felt a sense of dread at once. They knew what was happening.

An anomaly had formed on the stage.

"Well, the good news is Becker might show up now," said Connor dryly.

End of Chapter Twenty-One