Prelude

Would you honor us

with your presence?

For tonight's focus -

deceit, intrigue,

mystery or just

dancing and masques...

.....

"You say you found this in our mailbox? No postage. You don't find that strange? It means that someone was on our property."

"What I find strange is your tone. Especially since, when we first moved in five years ago, I was the one asking for a security alarm system. While you think about that little tidbit also think about what you're wearing tonight."

.....

Philip and Pamela approach the double doors. These would be incredibly tall were it not for the size of the house. It resembles a gothic cathedral except for the modern elements. It surprises the couple that there is electricity. The cars being driven by staff to the garage at the back of the main structure seem out of place, as if intruding.

"What did you say these people do for a living? And how exactly do you know them?"

"As far as I know, no one knows them. The word around the neighborhood is that these people basically keep to themselves. It's the husband and wife and the twins, a son and daughter, both high school age. Although, they may be home-schooled. None of the neighbors' children have ever seen them in any of their classrooms."

"This is starting to sound like the beginning of a bad vampire film."

"I'm too curious not to come. Where is your sense of intrigue?"

"I'll let you deal with the intrigue. Just point me to the food. With a mansion like this, the spread better be top notch. I hope our host isn't a crashing bore."

"I keep forgetting I married a caveman."

At the door, Philip looks into the eyes of what he suspects is an Indian woman. Her costume is teal with gold trimming. It flows in the breeze. Her vale gives nothing away, forcing Philip to stare at the hazel eyes. She hands him his mask. This is a white face with features depicting fear. It would be frightening were it not for the orchestra's selection lightening the mood.

At the other side of the entrance Pamela could not take her eyes away from the sultan's abs. His only clothes were billowy teal pants with a golden sash and a teal turban dotted only with a gold nugget at the center, just above the forehead. Pamela notices that he wares no shoes. A mask is handed to her by him. His smile distracts from the depiction of the harpy.

Both spouse lose track of one another as they are whisked away by the mesmerizing servants. The woman lightly wraps her arms around Philip. She saunters at his side, leading him to the buffet table; the fragrances from the food make his mouth water. The male servant takes Pamela's right hand in his own and wraps his left arm around her waist. She can't decide whether the scent coming from him is his own or some musky scent that he applied. His closeness makes her breath shallow. Her eyes are locked on his and she realizes, they're dancing.

The ballroom, if it can be called that, is a glass dome. It is surrounded on three sides by the colossal mansion and the part not connected overlooks the ocean. At least, Pamela thinks so, it is impossible to know for sure as the night intermingles with the light from the glass structure. The horizon is unsearchable. The light source for the dome is a mystery. Pamela begins to feel warm and dizzy behind the mask. At one point, she regains consciousness to find herself in the servant's arms. She is being carried through the crowd and down a huge, white marble staircase.

Philip sits between two strangers both have women by their side, other guests is his guess. Their masks cover only their eyes, but still he cannot make out their identity. For a moment he wishes he knew where his wife was and then he tastes the wine.

Philip exhales and finds himself carried on a rug by several of the female servants. They're laughing and speaking in their own language. Those with free hands rub oil on his naked body. It was only then that he realized he had no clothes. They all descend, a downward spiral. Philip comes to terms with his predicament. He was enjoying himself until he realized he was tied to the rug.

.....

The lights are turned on. Pamela had been trying to remove her mask. There was a small padlock at her collar that she could not get open. When the lights turned on, she was startled. As she looks around, she notices the mirrored ceiling. She can see that the long corridor angles to the extreme left. She calls out, but there is no response. She begins to walk to the other end and turns left. This part of the corridor is like the other-charcoal grey walls, no windows or doors, the mirrored ceiling and overbright light sources mounted on top of the walls. From where she was standing, she could see a part of the rest of the labyrinth where she was trapped. She leans on a wall, slides to the floor and weeps bitterly. The probability that she would die soon became overwhelming.

.....

The ladies had removed Philip's mask. He tried to talk to them but they merely laughed and slathered him with more scented oil. One poured something into the mask from another flask, brushed it evenly throughout the inside of Philip's mask, then a few of them held his face in place while the mask was placed back on him. Another slave walked to Philip with some more wine. She poured some in his mouth, but he spat it out. They held his face again. This time, the slave poured it into his nostril. Philip's choice was drink or drown.

.....

Blinding light brings him back to consciousness. He is still naked, still has the mask on. He realizes that he is staring at his image on the ceiling. He springs to his feet.

What is this? Whose twisted fantasy? This mask is glued to my head? Why? At least this oil doesn't stink. Where are my clothes?

"Pamela!" God, where is she? "Anybody, hello!"

.....

I can't just sit here and cry 'til I die. Get up, Pamela. Now! What did I hear or read about mazes? If I stay left, will I find my way out? God, will there be obstacles? Please don't let there be obstacles. Philip! Where is he?

.....

Nothing. Nothing but grey walls and this perverted mirrored ceiling. Is it a two-way mirror?

"Hey. Hey, you perverts! My wife better be safe or I'll hunt you down. DO YOU HEAR ME!!"

Nothing but silence. Philip screams once more. This time, it is an indiscernible word that gets lost in rage. When he catches his breath, he begins walking, trying to find an exit.

.....

Pamela comes across the first break in the wall. Unfortunately, it makes her turn right. She makes a mental note to take a left turn at her first opportunity. Another break, another right. She pauses before she moves on to this next corridor. Tears begin to stream. For her, it is as if someone is manipulating her steps. She becomes angry and walks around, into the corridor where she sees black leather whips, chains and other sexual tools strewn about.

These items terrify Pamela. She takes a belt and wraps the softer end around her fist. If I have to use this, I'm going to make it count.

Pamela picks up a hammer as well.

.....

Philip turns to the next hallway. He sees a harpy wielding weapons. Her scream was high pitched and she ran to him. He had seconds to decide. He ran to her.

.....

Pamela smells the perpetrator before she saw the naked man in the mask turns into the hallway. It was the same scent that the servant was wearing. She screams and runs to attack before he realizes he is in trouble.

.....

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen for joining us for our first act. Enjoy a fifteen minute intermission. Afterwards, please join us in the second circle for our second act where we see how humans handle survival while lost in nature without tools."

As the voice speaks, the lights go out in the labyrinth below as water flows through it, washing away remains......