Only moments before, the mood in the dining room had been tense, but as Dana set her place card down on the table, a heavy more awkward silence descended upon the room. Mingling with the tension, such that it was now almost impossible to breathe the dense brooding air.

Marina sat studying the women. This group, once so close more like family than friends, now sat in an ugly silence, guarded and closed to each other. Not one dared to make eye contact with any other at the table. Instead all eyes were averted and hidden as the women occupied themselves, studying the stitching of the delicate tablecloth, the pattern on the fine china, or the state of their manicure. Anything not to have to look another in the eye, silently they refused to ponder the stinging words of Danas reading.

Marina cleared her throat preparing to speak, when Alice and Bette both threw her looks, confirming everything shed suspected for months now. This fractured broken group of friends, who could neither speak to each other, nor even look each other in the eye, could and did all agree on one thing: Marina was not one of them and was not welcome among them.

Marina considered Alice and Bette briefly, before lowering her eyes and acquiescing with a small nod.

The silence was shattered as Alice angrily spoke out, Okay, thats enough. What the ***** is going on? Who the ***** is behind this?

The women all responded to Alices outburst by looking at the host.

He took a deep breath, and looked at each woman sternly as he spoke calmly, You each received an invitation in the mail. As you all know, the invitation described the Inn and the local activities available to you during your stay. It was made clear that the weekend getaway was at no expense to you. Each invitation outlined the fact that this weekend getaway would involve a mystery and that the person to correctly solve the mystery would be assured a prize.

Each prize was uniquely tailored to the recipient and was intended to assure your acceptance. Your host was concerned that you may not accept, without this shall we say, bonus. There were things that were left out of the invitation, again, out of concern that you may not accept if you were made fully aware of all the details before your arrival. I went over those conditions just moments ago in the parlor. However, I can review them, just so you are all clear.

He paused and looked around the room. All faces were still turned to him, listening intently; he continued in the same calm tone, The weekend was designed with two goals in mind. First, that you each have an enjoyable get away, thus the agendas. Those were given to each of you by the driver that picked you up and indicates the activities that were planned for each of you. Great care was taken in the selection of activities in the hopes that each of you would have a truly good experience this weekend. The host has another goal that is not so obvious, but that is equally as important, if not more important than the first. It is hoped that during the course of the time you spend together this weekend, you will be able to recognize and accept the truth, both personally and collectively.

It was Bette that cut him off, The truth about what? That we were lied to and manipulated into accepting the invitation?

He rose from his seat before any of the other women could join Bettes outburst. His voice remained calm, but his tone was now clearly authoritative, Let me make this clear to you. In addition to the activities that have been planned for each of you, you have been given a task. You may choose to look at it as a game, or a mystery. To that end, there is a series of six clues that will be made available to you over the course of the weekend. Each clue is designed to help you identify and better know or understand one of the women in this room.

If you are the first to correctly associate each clue with the correct woman, then you are assured of receiving the prize offered in the invitation. You may choose not to participate in the task and merely enjoy the activities on your agenda. However, that assures that you will not be the first to solve the clues and you therefore give up any chance you had of obtaining the prize.

Additionally, you are free to leave at any time. We of course cannot hold you against your will. However, if you do leave, then you will concede to the loss of what ever was promised you in your invitation. Now, if you choose to stay and participate in the task, then there are two simple rules that you must follow: You may not at any time disclose the prize offered to you in the invitation and you may not identify yourself as being the one associated with any given clue. Without giving the women time to question him, he turned abruptly and walked out of the room, leaving the women to look about at each other in confusion and suspicion.

Jennys voice was barely more than a whisper, Could it be that given enough conviction a lie unfolds, however delicately or indelicately, into truth? All eyes turned to Jenny.

She looked down at Danas place card; she held it in her hand, having reached over and picked up the card as the gentleman spoke ignoring the words coming out of the man. She instead had read and re-read the card, turning the words over and over in her mind, until finally they had unfolded the understanding that had eluded her for so long.

Now that everyone was staring at her, she felt shy in the intensity of their stares as she spoke. Thats what Danas card said. Could it be that given enough conviction a lie unfolds, however delicately or indelicately, into truth.

Grunts and sighs filled the room as the women all began to respond to her comment. Taking no notice of their protests, Jenny continued in her small voice, as if speaking more to herself than those around her. I think its right. We pick through pieces of our reality choosing only those we like and wrap ourselves in them; wallow in them; hide in them. Until, finally, we have sufficiently twisted and rationalized the facts so that we can emerge unscathed, head held high. We no longer care if weve wrapped ourselves in a lie or in the truth, all that matters is that were able to tout our beliefs, our convictions proudly; wearing them as armor, protecting us, shielding us from our own recriminations, our own guilt and fear. Jenny glanced up at Marina as she spoke, hoping desperately that Marina could see the apology in her eyes, before she turned her attention back to the other women.

Jennys words had come out of the blue and caught the women off guard; they stared at her, mouths agape, heads shaking.

Alice didnt care what Jenny was babbling about; all she wanted to know was whos behind this charade. Okay, which one of you is behind this? asked Alice as she looked around the room accusingly. When she got no response, she continued, glancing around the elegantly decorated room. We know this place is ultra expensive, that rules out Jenny, Shane, Kit and myself. It also pretty much rules out Marina, now that shes been dropped by Francesca. So, Bette, Tina, Dana, which one of you is behind this little fiasco?

Jenny and Shane just grunted at Alices comment, the truth of Alices statement serving only to highlight their feelings of being outsiders in this group of women who never had to worry about money. Each had secretly suspected at one time or another that they were a pet charity case that the women felt obligated to take under their wing.

Marina shrugged and rolled her eyes, as she let this stinging dig roll off her back.

Kit, however, took offense at the statement, but only sighed in annoyance thinking to herself that Alice didnt know as much as she thought she did. She obviously hadnt been following Kits career. Her collaboration with Slim Daddy had served as the spark shed been waiting for all those years. Since her first meeting with him, she had worked on a half dozen music videos, and she had a deal in the works for her own CD.

Tina and Dana both looked at Bette who sat shaking her head emphatically. I had nothing to do with this. If I did, you can bet that the group would be much smaller. She said shooting Shane, Jenny and Marina a look that sent a shiver down Jennys spine.

Hey, before we go all ripping people to shreds, Shane said, as she subtly patted Jennys leg beneath the table, There are only 8 of us here, and there were 9 clues. Remember? Lurch there, She indicated the door the man had just exited through, said that the final clue could indicate one of us thats missing.

Yeah, but whos missing? Were all here. Dana offered as she looked about the room at the faces once so familiar and comforting to her. Unless you think someone like say Ivan or Tonya, or carpenter girl are behind this.

The mention of Candace brought a gasp from Tina.

What? Dana said, I didnt say her name for Gods sake. What do you want me to say? Shall we go with a Harry Potter and call her She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Dana threw her hands up in the air. For Gods sake, Tina it was months ago. Get over it!

Bette glared at Dana threateningly. It was only recently that Bette and Tina had begun to talk to each other. If Dana continued down this road, it could ruin all the progress theyd made to working things out.

Hey, come on, now. Kit soothed. She wanted to stop this line of thought before things got too ugly. Alice has a point. But, the real question isnt who could have funded this little shin-dig; what we really need to be asking is who knows us all well enough to put together those clues.

Once again, the women sat bewildered, pondering this latest question. As the silence stretched, Kit spoke again, Maybe it doesnt matter who did this or why. Maybe theyre right and we all need this weekend

Kits voice trailed off; at that moment, the man reappeared followed by two young women. One of them was pushing a three tiered tray carrying covered platters; the other carried four bottles of wine.

Marina sighed, Vino, no un momento demasiado pronto.

Maybe the others didnt hear, or they just didnt understand, as no one reacted or responded, but Shane couldnt help but smirk at Marinas quiet declaration. She didnt understand every word of it, but she had picked up enough to know that Marina was very glad to see the wine.

The man stopped by his seat as the women placed the serving platters on the large table. Dinner would be served family style, with each dinner guest helping themselves from the platters. As the covers were removed, revealing the lavish meal, he gestured grandly, Dinner is served, ladies.

The aromas that wafted from the table, elicited a sudden collective sniff that caused the women to laugh. For the first time, the women looked around at each other, smiling, and there was a hint of the friendship and familiarity they once shared.

For the next several minutes, the only sound was the scraping of utensils on china, as they all shifted their focus to the meal. It seemed that some of the tension was dissipating, as Mmm. This is really good led way to please pass the salt which opened the door for does anyone else want more wine? and slowly, casual small talk broke out at the table. It was not the casual friendly conversation they once shared, but it was civil and it was bearable.

Now that they were finding a comfortable, if only temporary peace and the conversation held the womens attention away from her, Marina relaxed back into her chair and studied each woman in earnest. She tried to remember when shed seen each last finally, she decided it didnt really matter; it seemed as though it was another lifetime. Externally, little had changed in the women.

Jenny had cut her hair; Marina suspected that Shane had talked her into the change. The long raven hair, that Marina had so loved to run her fingers through, was now a short pixie cut. Tina had lost weight and looked exhausted with dark circles under her eyes; Bette didnt look much better, but as always managed to hide her personal side better than Tina. Kit looked better than she had ever seen her, but Marina couldnt quite tell what was different about her. Dana had clearly stepped up her training; the muscles of her arms were no longer only weakly defined, but clearly visible possibly even bulging. Alice was just Alice. Nothing, it seemed had changed for her. And, Shane.Shanes eyes were dark and hollow; Marina saw only an empty shell where once such a lovely soul had shone.


As the plates were cleared and the conversation evaporated into cleared throats and yawns, the man spoke. Why dont we try this again. Tina, would you please read your place card.

Oh, ***** no, man. Were not doing that again. Shane exclaimed. Look, were clearly stuck here together, so lets just start trying to figure out all those clues. I think the one I read should be easy. I think we all know who that one is Shane paused and cast a cold glare at Marina. What did it say?…. Something about ambition and ascending into *****.

As Shane spoke, the other womens eyes all followed her gaze to Marina. Heads nodded and a murmur of agreement spread through the group.

With an amused look on her face, Marina gave a slight nod of her head as she returned their stares, saying nothing, allowing them to think what they would. The smug exterior hid her inner struggle to remain calm with the unexpected betrayal in Shanes icy glare and harsh accusation. It cut her deep, and the eager agreement of the others only served as a sprinkling of salt into the wound. Marina did not look away from their damning eyes, but rather held their gaze meeting each one in turn. She would not allow them to see the pain they had inflicted.

Kit cleared her throat and began slowly, It seems to me, that we have each descended into our own private ***** to one degree or another. Kits gaze moved around the table resting briefly on each woman as she spoke, and that quote could apply to any or all of us at this table. Her gaze rested on Marina last; her eyes were warm and soft, and the subtle kindness brought stinging tears to the back of Marinas eyes.

Not me. Alice interjected. My career has never been better; I was promoted to editor and I have a story thats been picked up by Cosmo. Ive never been happier.

Tinas mouth dropped open slightly as she stared at Alice, not believing the words that just came out of her mouth.

Hm. Having ambition ascending into *****. Dana muttered. I thought you always said youd never take a job as editor. Always wanted to be where the action was, not stuck behind some desk reading other peoples stuff.

Oh, you should talk about having ambition, Dana. Alice huffed. Arent you Miss Subaru. Arent you ranked for the Masters?

Ive worked my whole life for this, Alice, and you know it. Dana said, struggling to hold back her tears.

Thats not the point of the quote. Marina said quietly. It is not in having ambition, but it is the way in which we pursue it that we fall further and further away from our goal.

Silence descended on the room, as each woman thought of their own ambitions and desires, and the way their pursuit of them had, in deed, taken them not closer, but farther from their goal.

Marina looked about the table at each of the women she had once called friends taking in the deep sadness enveloping each until finally her eyes rested on Jenny. She had hardly allowed herself to think of Jenny these past months, but having her so near, brought back to the surface all the grief born out of that disastrous night.

Alice stole a glance at Dana, struck with the pain and loss; they had not even been able to hang on to even a weak shadow of their friendship after that one desperate kiss.

Tina closed her eyes to the sudden jolt of sadness as she thought about how she and Bette had been trying so hard to become a family of three, that they lost sight of their family of two.

A sad smile flitted across Kits face as she thought of kind, gentle Ivan. She had so desperately wanted to be loved, that shed allowed herself to believe that she could be something she was not.

Shane, unwilling to deal with her feelings, sat anxiously waiting for her next high. Also wanting to be loved, to be in love, seeking it in the one place that it could never be found.

Jenny simply stared at the linen spread out in front of her allowing the understanding to grow in her.