Of course Halloween Gay Christmas isn't just for gay men; children have a stake in it too. An early morning call informed Mister Offender of a potential disaster; the lovely Miss P had a family emergency and could not set up a Halloween party for which 80 children were expected to arrive. Of course, only the magic of the gays could save the day. Mister Offender leapt into action, and I offered my services as well. We went to a party supply store, picking out decorations that would be spooky, yet not scary, as the children were young. Decorations in hand we arrived at 2:00 p.m. with only one hour to prepare the room.
The magician, the d.j., the bartender and the caterer had all arrived, but needed to be arranged in the room. The layout was reviewed; placement and decoration decisions made. Children would climb a stairwell entering the room with matching witch garlands over head. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, gift bags placed on a low window ledge would beckon the youngsters into the room. All windows would be covered with spider webbing, which would glisten in the afternoon sunlight pouring through the windows, with little plastic spiders casting shadows. One wall would be covered in a 'spooky forest' backdrop topped with green spider webbing, a perfect spot for glowing parents to become portrait photographers. With fifteen minutes remaining, the room was perfect and the party was ready.
So I went to the gym.
For, you see, this was not some charity event for underprivedged kids. Miss P was no school-marm. No, she was a manager of one of Manhattan's finest apartment buildings, and Mister Offender was not just a friend, but a coworker on the management team. And the kids were the offspring of millionaires and heirs. But still, it was a fun diversion out of Gay Christmas and a quick visit to Halloween.
