The Gemini

17 - Partyman

October 31, 1988

"Son of a bitch."

Jody kicked at the right rear tire. Busted. It happened on her way home from work. All of her good vibes and optimism were wasted as reality slapped her in the face once again. At least the deflate happened close to home and the car was able to hobble the rest of the way there. She wanted to cry angry tears but she didn't have the time, in three hours she had to be at the club.

Two hours before go time she called Nikki to see if she would be her taxi for the night. Of course Jody knew that it wouldn't be an issue since the girl was already going herself. An hour before departure, Nikki showed up costumed and ready to party. Jody was nearly ready, she just had to put the finishing touches on her makeup and maybe fuss over her hair a little longer.

"What are you supposed to be? A two faced slut?"

Jody let into the apartment the woman who was dressed as Cleopatra, staff included. She waved her hand, travelling back to the bathroom. "It'll make sense later."

"I can't believe you own that dress." Nikki had never seen her in anything like it before. She knew her friend wasn't a prude, but she didn't think the girl had it in her to pull off a look like that.

Recapping the tube of red lipstick, Jody messed at her hair. "It was a gift from a friend."

Nikki's sparkle dusted brows jumped up her forehead. "What kind of friend?"

Satisfied with her facial appearance, Jody moved on to the full body mirror that hung on the back of her closet door. Smoothing hands down the dress, she keenly examined herself from different angles. The material fit perfectly to her like a second skin and, much to her surprise, it wasn't the least bit constricting. Her biggest task for the night was keeping aware of where she bent and how. She completed her look with seamed stockings, black heels, and of course the gloves.

"How do I look?"

Watching her do a slow turn around, "Like you waiting for your pimp." She laughed at Jody's frown. "I'm playing, girl. You look real good."

Jody shrugged into a trench coat and grabbed her purse. Nikki followed after in exit. "A classy hoe." She added.

Delivering a side-eyed look, "Get yo ass out that door." Jody laughed.

...............

94 East's annual Halloween Party was one of the wildest in the city. It seemed to get bigger every year. When they got there, the place was already swinging. Everyone decked in their spooky best in hopes of securing the title for best costume at the end of the night. The winner was crowned, given a five-hundred-dollar cash prize, and their own little faux golden skeleton trophy. Jody only won once and promptly blew half of the money on clothes.

House lights lit the space to give it an eerie feel. Spider webs and other Halloween themes were decorated throughout. Dominic was in the booth dressed as Dracula giving the people something to dance along to. Both Lisa and Matt manned the bar, she was dressed as the Mario to his Luigi.

"Y'all look cute." Nikki said.

"I'm so close to ripping off this mustache." Lisa complained. "I think I might be allergic to the glue. It's itching like crazy."

Matt chimed in as he crossed behind her in the middle of maxing a drink. "I tried to tell you to draw it on."

"Why didn't you?" Jody asked.

"She wanted it to be authentic." Matt snorted.

Lisa shrugged, "I could really use that prize money."