The Night and the Dancing

Swiftly approaching was a soon to be remembered evening, and all were making preparations. Now, dear Reader, let me set the scene: the greatest party ever was to be held this Friday night, and everyone was begging Time to move just a little faster. As usual, he was quite content to move at his normal speed despite their pleas.

I personally had received the honor of a formal invitation, and had resolved to honor it by py attendance. I had gone out to find a good suit, and later I found it, tried it, and bought it. All was set for the evening, and I anxiously awaited it.

I had seen all of my friends going slightly mad over finding a date to take to this party. One of my friends, Al Gainesville, bless his heart, had actually believed that the girl, who was out of most of our leagues, he asked and said she would go, would actually oblige that promise! Oh, it was, of course, hilarious for all the onlookers!

There was one girl I thought of asking, but the more I considered it, the farther my courage slinked away. So, after a great amount of pondering, I decided to go alone. I wonder, if only I had asked her…

Soon the night was upon us, and Al and I were the only two from our social group that had the honor of attending. He was entering the party with an attitude of incredibly high spirits, as was his nature, and seemed to dismiss the fact that he was alone. This mattered not to him, for Al was a social hummingbird, if such a thing exists, and could easily befriend anyone he came into contact with. I, however, had been experiencing the blues, seeing as I was alone, and would most likely continue the entire night thusly.

Now, dear Reader, I cannot continue my memoir without mentioning the grandeur of the mansion where the party was being held. It was mostly wood, intricately and sparingly carved. What was not wood was stone, hand-laid to create a perfect blend of materials and evoke a sense of luxury. It was also located adjacent to the bay, and, on this particularly cloudless night, every feature of the small palace by the water shimmered in the frosty moonlight.

Al and I took it all in, and then entered into, well, neither of us really knew at the time what was going to happen. Once out on the massive rear terrace, we slowly plowed through the throngs of guests, cordially greeting acquaintances we had only perhaps seen once or twice. Above this great patio where nearly all the guests gathered, there stood a balcony, some windows, and a set of stairs right next to them. In that upper room were the rest of the guests, getting food, lazing at the tables, talking over this thing or that.

It had not been long before I had began to wonder about our mysterious host. I had gone around asking about him outside as I made my way to the stairs, where I went inside and presented the same inquiry. I got the same general answer from everyone with only a few contrasting details: no one had seen from him or knew who he was. Some knew only his name. They told me, but I forget what it was. At this point, I certainly knew that I had not been magically transported to Long Island, yet a part of me thought I would be hurriedly introduced to some agitated polo player as I made my way through the crowds.

The music from the four piece band was roaring swing; a booming spell that had taken over everyone, and they danced the night away with hearts and feet guided by each savory note. The music had even reached me, and I began to feel right at home dancing wildly in the sea of people.

I have only been proud of my dancing, not just idle shifting and swaying, no, real dancing, only once, and it was that night. I ascended the steps and jived my way over to the balcony, where I started to cut a rug. Everyone looked up and began cheering my name, and the head of the band was leading the cry! A couple more men bounded up the stairs while the music roared on in a new ferocity, and joined me on each of my sides. Overcome with the power of swing, we just let loose and had fun, and the crowds loved us.

After the song ended, I shook hands with the two other gentlemen and we descended from the balcony with thunderous applause. That song, coupled with our dancing, was the peak of the night, so the band chose to play something a little more tame after that, for a little relief. As everyone returned to the usual state of a party, one of my friends found me and asked “Where’d you learn to dance?”

“I don’t know!” I responded, equally as astounded as he was.

“Nice!” he said between a laugh and a chuckle, and was lost into the crowds again. Truly an astonishing evening indeed!

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I had completely let go of myself and all concerns, questions, and any other distractions, and had totally given into the party. I was immensely enjoying myself, especially as compliments kept rolling in as I perused and mingled within in the vast halls of the mansion.

As I approached the main dining room, I saw Al at a table by himself, and looking quite forlorn. He had removed his jacket and undone his tie, and with this, I knew something must be terribly wrong.

We had sort of switched spirits, Al and I. When I arrived at the party, I was not expecting much. I thought it would be a bunch of strangers and friends standing around. But now, I was a bit of a legend, and was having the time of my life. Al, however, had taken my subpar mood from before and was sinking into aloneness.

I cheered up my friend with some consoling words and a reminder that we were, after all, at the biggest party of the year. His face then brightened, he started to smile, and we went out to enjoy the rest of the amusement.

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Later into the night, after the hectic and frenzied guests had become more relaxed, the slow dancing had begun. Since I was alone, I strolled over to the columns supporting the balcony and stood in the raised platform’s shadow, with my face only being revealed by a strand of light strung above my head.

At first, I was resting, but then I looked at all the wild animals that had almost magically become distinguished individuals, slowly turning with a dear partner. Now I notice that Time had been foreshadowing. I looked longingly at those peaceful people on that night as I still look at them today.

These feelings were dismissed about ten minutes later, when those undomesticated beasts had become quite irritated with standing too still, and the band had let loose a brand new crescendo.

I returned to my party state, and had an amazing evening that I will remember forever. Yet, I still wonder… what if I had asked her?