[2023]

5275, I’m going to teach you a trick. A way to remember even more than you do now. To capture a moment in it entirety.

We stand outside the the venue. You’re teaching me this now? Can’t this wait until after the event. This red dress is itchy and my nipple will burst out any moment.

When you walk in, I want to you to do a quick mental check. What do you taste? What do you smell? What do you feel? What do you hear? When you’ve gathered all of this. Put it into a mental jar and label it. Put the jar on a shelf and look at it. Know that you can pull from this jar when you need to. Open up this memory and feel, touch, smell, taste, hear, everything again.

Are you ready to try it?

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Hello, miss….

Miss [Goya.]

Goya, the fruit canning family?

A distant cousin. I was just invited with a friend. Are you having a good time?

Yes, I am. And you?

Well, you’re the first person tonight, and I’ve kind of been left on my own. I’m happy to have a conversation with someone.

Can I tell you a really awkward secret? I was hired to look good at this party. Given the dress. Talk to people.

“Really? Who is your employer?”

I assume the person throwing this party. Usually people hire pretty people to make them look good. And you, sir? Who do I get to tell secrets to?

Really? I’m surprised you don’t know me. I’ll tell you a secret. He whispers in my ear. So damn typical.

I love secrets. I whisper back. Let’s keep him guessing.

This is my party. He says loudly as he pulls back. So really who the hell are you?

HER spits out her drink. Coughs. Play dumb and let’s see where this goes.

Your party, huh? Well, thank you for hiring me. As I hold up a glass of champagne and begin to drink it again.

I didn’t hire you.

Huh? Then who did? I take another sip and play with the rim of the glass.

Well, actually I’m not surprised. I’m contracted often by third parties. Tonight was particularly easy. The only thing I was told was to make time for the men that talk to me. Nothing else beyond that.

Every man?

Yes, every man.

Miss, you seem nice but also overly and unnecessarily stupid. That task is suspicious and vague. You shouldn’t put yourself in these type of positions. You’re going to get in trouble if you haven’t already.

First off, I’m not stupid. I’m just getting by. And I’m doing what I can with the resources I have. Second, get in trouble? I don’t usually get in trouble. I’m just here to be pretty, and keep people company. There’s nothing more to it than that.

I’m going to have to ask you to leave. This party was meant to be for donors only.

Donors, I’m used to be being hired for these kind of spaces. Walking around mingling with people. Make them feel like this is the best party and they are doing a great cause and that they are beautiful people. Can I help you do this? Please, can I stay? If you don’t want me playing the socialite, I’ll just stay in the corner. You can even search me afterwards.

This isn’t my problem. This is now yours.

I’ve got to report back and getting kicked out early won’t look good. The person who hired me might even be here. Plus, this stupid person is just here to do my job, eat some food, and be nice to people. I get closer to him and smell the mint of mouthwash. Not a drinker? How can I be nice to you? What can I do for you, so you let me do my job?

Another waiter comes up with more alcohol. It is 5249. Damn, you’re not doing a very good job of hiding that you hate me.

How about if I’m a waiter? I grab another glass from the server and hand it to [the man.]

I don’t drink.

What can I get you instead?

I’m pretty particular, so I serve myself. That means he is afraid someone will poison him.