Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Prosperity (05/11/06)
-
TITLE: Prosperity With a Twist | Previous Challenge Entry
By
05/14/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I used to be their friend, that is, up until a few months ago. I was having lunch with Danielle when all of a sudden she blurted out, “I’m so tired of putting up with snobs for neighbors, attending parties that only want the most glamorous, the richest and whatever! Bill and I have been thinking about doing something drastic to get away from this oppressive lifestyle! Maybe we’ll just up and do it!”
I didn’t know how to reply so I said, “I don’t know what you mean. You always seem to be so happy, both of you. Inheriting all of that money from your aunt, why that’s a blessing many don’t get! And, I know you and Bill are in love. I’m sorry; I just don’t get it!”
She looked at me funny and said, “You just don’t understand, Tonia. You just don’t know how hard it’s been for us! You don’t know what we’ve gone through, having all of this money. Maybe we should just stop being friends…”
Well, that’s the last time I saw or heard from Danielle. At least until last Tuesday when I received an invitation from her in the mail to come to a dinner/play at their mansion. It was to be a “who dunnit “ with dinner an hour before. The date was set for Halloween –just three weeks away--and we were all to wear costumes.
Of course, I’ve always wanted to go to a Halloween party for adults-but with the addition of a dinner, plus play in a lovely mansion…Well, I think you know what decision I made!
About a week before the play, I saw Danielle at a fancy clothing shop, “The Classy Boutique.” I overheard a conversation between her and a much younger looking man. Danielle said, “I can’t wait until the play, then this crazy lifestyle will be over and Bill and I will be able to do what we want!”
The man replied, “Be careful Danielle, Bill may have other plans. Don’t forget, I knew him back in college and he seldom followed through on anything!”
“Nonsense! He knows what we need to do and he’s ready for the change! See you at the party and don’t be late!”
Passing through the store without seeing me, she got into her limo outside and left.
The night of the party came and I walked in dressed like the Wicked Stepmother of Snow White, found my assigned table and sat down…
It was dark inside, except for a few candles and some dimly lit spotlights focusing on the makeshift stage in the middle of a very large dinning room. There were about 20 people all together and soon the host and hostess—Bill and Danielle --- entered—dressed as characters of the play, “Gaslight.” They sat down with the other guests and minutes later, dinner was served. About an hour later, several people cleared the tables and then the stage was set for the play.
About a half hour later, the play began. Candles and a few stage lights, brightened the made-up stage but gave an eerie but suspenseful glow to the atmosphere.
Gaslight has always been a favorite of mine, so my interest was high and lasted up to the last scene, when the murderer and torturer, played by Bill, was arrested and taken away and when Danielle, who played the tortured woman, was set free. It was thrilling to watch and at the end everyone was clapping and yelling Encore!!…Encore!!.
Then, all of a sudden, all of the candles and lights went out…It gave me a creepy feeling; like maybe this wasn’t the end of the story.
Tragically, we all found out later that evening that Danielle’s dead body was found, hidden inside a cave on the outskirts of town and her husband, Bill gone, never to be seen again.
All that was left behind was an unsigned, handwritten note, lying on top of Danielle which read, “I gave Danielle exactly what she wanted…a way out. Good bye and good luck.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
That aside, I think it's a really interesting piece. It's certainly 'out of the box', and very thought provoking. Thank you for giving me something to ponder.