“Madame Bovary is the
sexiest book imaginable.
The woman’s virtually
a nyphomaniac but you
won’t find a vulgar
word in the entire thing.”
Noel Coward



Shane was trying to cheer everybody up. She could feel all her eyes on her. Tina was being over protective, Bette was at her side every single minute and Jack was just looking at her all the time. It was funny for Shane to be the center of attention in such an obvious way. She was feeling great, her arm was healing perfectly and she was not in pain any more.


They were all back in Flushing, watching Danas match and as much as all of them cheered her up she wasnt doing too well. Shane was looking at Alice who was still looking at Matt as if a Greek goddess was seated at her side.
Shane had to smile remembering the moment the girls, well, except for Tina and herself met Matt.

…Shane arrived at the er with Jack and Tina to find Matt already waiting for them. The other three, taking the next cab, arrived minutes later.

When the rest of the gang arrived they found Tina and Jack in the waiting room. Dana was still shaking and Bette and Alice were more quiet than usual. Nobody talked for a while and then as Alice stood up to go get some drink Jack and Tina jumped in their seats. Alice following their looks saw the most gorgeous men she could remember.
Thinking about it now it was good that Dana was still pretty much lost in her own world because Alices jaw hit the floor and she could not stop mumbling something that only Tina heard.
Matt explained to them Shanes condition. And the happy faces that grew on each and every girl made him chuckled. Jack introduced them and while waiting for Shane to show up they all enjoyed some idle conversation.

On their way to the hotel they were all pretty quiet, processing the night events and catching up with all the excitement.


Two days later Shane could see that she was, surprisingly the only one who seemed to be over that silly scary accident.
Matt pretty much mesmerized the girls. He was more fun and interesting that shed have waited from what Jack told her about him and from the brief lunch they shared once. Right now, in the middle of her friends, Matt was like a prince surrounded by his mistress.
He was not only great looking, even better looking than his sister, he was charming and very funny. Studying him, Shane realized that in many ways he was just like his sister with the differences that while Jack was the quiet, mysterious type, he was just the contrary. He was like a male version of Alice. He was the first with witty lines, sarcastic answers and silly jokes. And he seemed very much at ease with her sister friends.


Alices screaming brought Shane back to reality. Dana just won an important point, but still Shane could see that she was not doing her best. She was not sure what was going on inside Danas beautiful head but she knew her friend and she knew shed play better than she was.

The match ended with Danas losing it but to Shanes surprise it seemed that Alice was much bothered by it than Dana.


They all headed back to the city and at dinner, as they still had 4 days ahead of them Alice finally told them about the party.

She got their attention just by naming a possible party but once she started talking about the special party, the enthusiastic crowd listened carefully.

It seemed that Alice had tickets to a very exclusive party that was going to happen in one of the most exclusive clubs in the city.
She didnt mentioned it before because she thought itd distract Dana but now that she was a free spirit again they all could prepare it.

Prepare? Asked the always lost, love of Alices life.
Yes Dane, this party needs some kind of how could I put it?.. well its not an every day kind of party

Guys, she is teasing us again Shane was looking at Alice, teasing her with her most nonchalant tone

Yeah, shut up Bosley you know pretty well who is the teaser here Alice answered staring at Shane, trying to look mad.

Whats the party about Al? Tina, always the conciliator, asked.

Thats the kind of questions we need see guys as always, Tina is the one thinking straight Alice was saying all this while getting an envelope from her purse, then realizing what she just said, looking at Bette added,

Dont read between the lines Porter winking at Bette, Alice turned to take a look at Matt who was looking at them, enjoying the conversation, getting from it the perspective he needed to get to know better her sister friends.

Dana, noticing where Alice was looking at, pinched her on her tight, under the table, making Alice to jump a little, spilling her white wine glass.

Ups, sorry Tee Dana said, trying to clean Tinas lap with her napkin.
“Wow, you are all wet Dana whispered, looking at Tinas skirt.

Bette, Alice, Shane and Jack, all rolled their eyes in unison while Dana was still unaware of her words.

..and let the charade continue said the smiling reporter, opening the envelope, giving an invite (a pass) to each one of them.

It was a small burgundy red card (like a credit card, same shape, same texture) with just two words printed on it MADAME BOVARY”.


They all took the card, Matt included, and then after taking a quick look at it, turned to look at Alice who was smiling, waiting for what she knew were going to be silly,impossible to answer questions.

Dana, again, was the first to ask, looking at the card,
Al, what is this for?

This is the key to the unknown Alice was savouring each word, spelling them slowly.

The unknown?” Danas frowning face shown how hard she was trying, seriously, was eating all the clues Alice was throwing at her, was playing her game to every body amusement.

Yes Dane, this is the pass to get to know what you dont know, what you want and are afraid to ask, and to what you dont know you want but are going to find

So you mean you dont know what this is all about, right? Shane always the cool, said.

Alice, throwing a killer look to Shane, looked at the last card she was holding. It wasnt burgundy like the others, it was a purple.

You know Bosley, if you dont play with me I wont lend you my purple one

So Al, is anything require to go to this party? Matt asked.

Glad you ask (looking at the girls, opening her eyes, loving the moment), girls, and dude (nodding at Matt), this is a costume party

Jack and Bette groaned at the same time while Dana and Tina smiled. Shane just nodded.

Cool, thats fun! What kind of costume, anything in particular? Tina, very excited was already making plans, imagining their costumes.

Tee, my dear Tee, my lovely dear Tina (Alice, taking Tinas chin in her hand leaned into her, whispering in her ear) use your imagination(rising her voice, so the rest could hear them)from the name on the card and the colour on it, you all, am sure (looking at Jack and Bette, nodding at them) could imagine what kind of costumes will be fashionable

Alice, took her glass of wine (or what was left) and sipping it looked at her friends. All of them, Shane included were looking at their cards as if they were going to suggest to them the great costume that every one of them wanted to wear.

Let me just add that the guest list will be impressive, thats why the magazine finally let me do the article, and that we all will have to wear a mask Alice final words left a sweet powerful taste in her mouth.

WHAT? This time all of them asked in unison.
Matt was quiet, looking at them.

Yes, thats right ladies, thats the fun of it, we will wear mask and at twelve, like Cinderella (noticing Dana), No babe, you wont dress as her, (looking back at her ardent audience), as I was saying at twelve we all will remove the masks

Cool Added Shane, smiling for the first time.

Alice, enjoying the powerful silence, sat down, only to add,
Instructions will be given at the entrance of the club

Again, Alice felt six pair of eyes looking directly at her.

Instructions? Asked an incredulous Bette

Yes, thats exactly what I said Porter added Alice, sipping from Danas glass.
God, what are we, Lego games? Bette said, still unable to enjoy the common excitement.

If thats your wish Alice mumbled, smiling.