The little orange AMC Pacer sped down the road on the boys’ 5-hour road trip to Riverside. The two had prepared well for the journey with copious amounts of cheese-flavored crisps, grape soda, and gummy bears, the packages of which now littered the floor of the vehicle. Chester had justified the purchase of these items as a way to get all their immaturity out of their system before arriving at this fancy soiree. Binging on childish snacks would for-sure expend all their immaturity for a time, leaving only their mature, sophisticated sides left. That was how that worked, right?
Chester, seated in the passenger seat, stared at himself in the small sun visor mirror while he wrestled with his dark grey necktie in an attempt to knot it properly. “Hey, how did that third step go? Once around the tree the fox chased the rabbit? or was it the rabbit scooted under a bush?” He pantomimed the children’s rhyme that they were taught by the condescending clerk at the menswear shop as he further tightened the grey silk noose he was fashioning around his neck. Glancing at Gerald, who was already fully dressed and focused on the road, Ches turned to show his friend the mess he had made of his tie. “This isn’t right, is it? How did you do it?”
Gerald grinned, but did not take his eyes off the road. This was his newly-restored car and there was no way he was going to even ding the paint. “I told you how to do it already, idiot” he replied, “Twice now, actually. You’re hopeless, you know that?”
Ches returned to struggling with the knotted mess with the aid of the tiny 3-inch mirror. Since he obviously wasn’t getting any help from his friend, he turned to muttering his frustrations under his breath. “Who the Hell comes up with this stuff, anyway...formal parties. This is the last time I ever wear formalwear, I can tell you that.” He heaved a sigh and slapped the sun visor back into its stowed position, his exasperation reaching its peak. “Well, I just hope they serve those little bacon-wrapped cocktail weenies. That might just make up for all of this.”
The car slowed as they approached the marina. Gerald chose a parking space far from the other cars in an attempt to prevent accidental scrapes and scratches from other car doors and discourteous folk. There were actually quite a number of vehicles already parked there, including a little red compact, a dark blue van and a rather attractive motorbike. A handful of limos loitered by the curb, their uniformed drivers sharing a smoke and a chat under a streetlamp. Gerald avoided their gaze as he ogled the motorbike.
“Come on, Ger, we’ll miss the food--er, I mean party.” Ches said, renewed enthusiasm enriching his tone and parting his lips with a smile. He grabbed hold of his friend’s shoulder and dragged him away from the red-and-black motorcycle just before the man had a chance to lay his hands on it.
The faint sound of music lead them to the ferry. The song was familiar. Jennings Taylor, was it? An odd choice for a fancy party, Gerald thought. He somehow expected to only hear stuffy old baroque tunes at this shindig. While not really a Jennings Taylor fan, he had to admit that the man did give a bit of life to what he feared might be a major drag. Alright, fancy party, that’s two points for you. Maybe he won’t be surrounded by fossils after all.
The two boarded the ship and immediately noticed a large group forming around the bar. Not a bad idea. They exchanged glances, Ches still manhandling his tie. Ches yelped as Gerald slapped his hands away from the silk accessory, and the latter, but not without an over-dramatic sigh, helped retie it properly. “Come on, let’s go see who we’ll be stuck at this mansion with.”
Gerald and Chester arrived at the rear of the group. “Howdy, all!” Ches exclaimed cheerfully and waved. “The name’s Chester, and this here’s Gerald.” Ches turned to point at his friend, but found the man gone. Typical.
Gerald had become distracted by a buffet table on the other end of the room and wandered off in that direction. He was surprised Ches hadn't seen it first, as the man usually was the first to spot food, but the again Ches wasn't the most observant in general. Now at the table, Gerald noticed another man surveying the hearty spread laid out in front of them. Trouble seems to seek out other trouble, so they say, and it appeared to be true in this case.
"Hey, looks like this party will be worthwhile, eh man?" Gerald asked the dreadlocked man cheerfully, rubbing his hands together with anticipation for the upcoming feast. This buffet wouldn't know what hit it. "I don't know about you, but I think I am going to live a little and start with dessert first." Picking up a plate, he began sawing off a slice of a fruit tart. "Name's Gerald, by the way. What do you call yourself?"
