Invitation Only

 My name is Cassandra. My employers, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Windsor, are having an invitation only soiree tonight for the Blue Book crowd. You know, the ritsy social register kind of people? THAT Blue Book. Guess what? Unknown to them, I, Cassandra Nobody, will be among their honored guests. The best part? They won't even know it is me! (Haha!)

The Windsors' lovely daughter, Margaret? Margaret is bored with fancy costume parties that she's required to attend to keep up appearances for her parents. Margaret wanted to attend another event with a young gentleman, who shall remain nameless. So, I, Cassandra, ended up with Margaret's designer costume to wear to the event. In addition, I'll be well fed and entertained. Oh, and did I mention, Margaret gave me real sterling silver jewelry and actual money besides?! Whoever HE is, it sure was awfully important to Miss Margaret, wasn't it now? I wondered how she was going to get out of the house in the first place. But I'm not complaining. That's her little problem to deal with, as far as I'm concerned. Ask no questions. I'm just the kitchen help, you understand.

Just this afternoon, I came down with a terrible case of the flu, don't you know? None of the staff wants to catch it. The Windsors CAN'T have kitchen staff contaminating any food or drinks for their lofty friends. So..... I am in my own comfortable quarters, to rest. I was even given a bottle of brandy, on the condition that I quarantined myself away from everyone else.

Let's see what Margaret's costume looks like. Luckily we are about the same size.... Margaret told me that she was going as the Lady of the Lake, straight out of Arthurian legend. (You know.....King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, Morgan le Fay, that kind of thing.....)

Wow! Her costume is just beautiful! Fortune smiled upon me to even look upon it. Gossamer silk, light as air, in a shade of blue that truly is the sea incarnate! It looks as though it has silver lights running through it.....cloth of silver, finer than any cloth of gold ever dared to be. It is truly exquisite, to the point of taking my breath away when I touch or gaze upon it. I can't believe that I am getting the chance to wear anything like it.

The slippers that complete the costume are of a blue a shade darker than the dress, with silver satin heels. There is a tiny deep blue sapphire stone on the top of each slipper. They are utterly elegant. Any Lady of the Lake would be fortunate to possess them.

The tiny sapphire pendant that Margaret gave me will be perfect with it.

Let's see. I've looked at my costume. Where's the invitation?

It is true that Margaret herself wouldn't really need one, but to insure that I would be able to assume her place in her stead, she brought me one of the engraved invitations and replies that the guests had received.

"If you have any trouble, show the doorman this.", Margaret had told her. In her hands were a small silver-edged card, that matched the invitations. I clasped it in my hands carefully.

Cassandra was going Invitation Only.