Sunday, May 9, 2010

Magpie #13

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Stella leaned back in her chair, or at least as far as her corset would allow. She enjoyed observing the guests around her long dinning table. Her secret to throwing a successful dinner party was not only her unpredictable sense of humor but how she could feel the flow and movement of the evening. She sensed that tonight's party would be in need of more than a little assistance.

To her the dinner party was a symphony and she took a moment to loose herself in the performance. Voices no longer formed words but joined in the concord of sound taking the form of the strings and winds. The china and crystal became the percussion. And the staccato of laughter quicken the tempo always enriching the texture of the movements.

She knew that her symphony had already played out the first movement, the animated talk around the table, the quick steps of the servants as they circled the table attending to each guest. But now silk gowns began rustling as the women stirred restlessly in their chairs signifying the second slower movement. To keep the evening interesting, they couldn't linger on the Adagio where satisfied appetites and drinks could lead to lethargic guests. Parties were much more enjoyable when the evening ended with a lively minuet.

Stella was the conductor and it was her job to keep the symphony moving. It was time for the group to move to the parlor for after dinner drinks, conversation and cards. This was her favorite time of the evening but as they settled around the room she felt the awkwardness hanging in the air like an atonal instrument. (she should have never invited the Hamiltons and Wellingtons to the same party!). The tempo continued to falter after the dull story told by Mr. Brentwood.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures" was her thinking as she excused herself for a moment to the side bar where champagne was being poured into crystal flutes by James, one of her servants. She had only done this once before.


She removed her glass eye (the result of a childhood injury) and placed it in one of the glasses of champagne. She whispered "James, give this one to Mrs. Brentwood."

21 comments:

Sheri said...

girl, this was amazing!!! i loved it from beginning to end and especially the way you wove all of the musical stuff into it (of which i have no expertise in music, or could you tell?). you, my dear, have outdone yourself with this excellent magpie tale!

The Crusty Crone said...

Wonderful writing. Thoroughly enjoyable. Now I must be off to check out the rest of your blog.

Lisa said...

I love the comparison of a dinner party to a orchestra. And it was completely funny and entertaining! Bravo!

Pauline said...

And we get to imagine the end! This was clever.

Brian Miller said...

tight magpie...love how you left it there at the end...so nicely done...

Bossy Betty said...

Love the ending!

Liz Mays said...

Now that's a dinner party that will go down in history!

Catalyst said...

Oh, I wish I had been there for the finale of that one! Great writing, Tori!

rxBambi said...

I love it! I bet Mr Brentwoods NEXT story will be awesome!

fab tale!

Helen said...

I am also a musical person and I loved how you wove everything together .... I could 'see' everything in my mind's eye!

rel said...

tori,
Oh my, the crescendo must have been something to witness!
This tale is very novel and creative: well done!
rel

joanna said...

I was wondering how you would end this very clever witty piece of writing -- the ending was awesome.

Joanny

Tess Kincaid said...

Stella was a Mrs. Dalloway of sorts, with a little "White Countess" thrown in for good measure. I liked this one a lot!

McGillicutty said...

I have been gone too long!!! This is fantastic!!! you are a little sneaky to even dream up such a thing. Wonderful, wonderful stuff... love ya!!!

Tumblewords: said...

I feel like the fly on the wall - very visual piece. Great read!

Unknown said...

beyond thrilled with your post...I feel like i just met a star,,,,autograph please....

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

remarkable magpie,
magical ending!

Mike said...

LMAO!!! Ewww!

I think that I would puke if someone sent me that drink!

Mike said...

I was getting spam and then BV told me to do away with the Anonymous comment option and it all stopped.

~T~ said...

A lovely composition! Everyone needs a party trick like that.

Theta Mom said...

What an awesome ending!!!