I was up in my office and looking out the window. Sara was walking around the pool deck checking the decorations and displays. I remembered three weeks ago when she floated the idea for the first party "Sara and Paul's Fizz Fest." She took the project on and created an event from almost nothing; while working in her law practice as well as sitting for the bar exam. I knew things were moving forward when the twelve cases of Champagne arrived and the three wooden crates containing the Large Rehoboam bottles which were equivalent to six normal bottles came to the house. They were for display and also were up for silent auction.
There were tables setup around the perimeter of the pool deck for the three Champagne houses who donated the wine. Another table was setup for the caviar vendor who donated several types of caviar. There was also a food table with sushi. The caterers also set up cocktail tables and chairs for our guests to sit.
My attention moved back to work. I had two scripts on my desk. One I wrote the other was my next directing assignment. It was easier for me to make notes on the paper copies, so I was reading the "Rom-Com" memoir of Sara's and my relationship. I wrote it at her urging, but I was very hesitant to let her read it. She brings it up to me all the time. The next person to read the first draft would be Bret. She has become plugged in to the producing community and could tell me where to market the script.
I decided to go down and see If I can lend a hand to William, Mrs. Kelly, our recently hired Butler/House Manager, and Sara as they finish the prep. As I got to the pool area, I saw the small musical group setting up their equipment. Sara was in her element giving orders to William and Mrs. Kelly and the catering staff. She was dressed in a tight pair of slacks that covered a pair of high healed boots. Sara's top was red and conformed to her curves. If she was trying to get me cranked up, she was succeeding. The musical group started playing adding some music to the area. The group consisted of an electric guitar, bass and drums. They added the perfect vibe to the party.
"Paul what do you think will our friends like it?"
"If they don't, they aren't friends anymore, this is wonderful."
Sara took me to a secluded part of the pool deck and embraced me. When we pulled apart, she looked at me with a piercing stare.
"Paul you can't become a wall flower, you need to circulate and encourage folks to submit bids on the champagne. You're one of the hosts and you will need to act like it."
I received my marching orders and told her that I would get out and mingle. We were expecting fifty plus people including our new neighbors. Other guests included staff from the production company and the law firm that Sara is associated with. The proceeds from the silent auction would benefit the local women's center. A representative from that group was scheduled to make an appearance, along with several volunteers. I hugged Sara again, stepped back letting her inspect what I was wearing. I was glad that she didn't send me back to put on something else. Sara kissed me before she went tearing after some loose detail.
"Save some of that for later sir," she said as she went to find Mrs. Kelly."
I went over to a portable PA system and tested the microphone and was happy that the system would fill the space. Sara did not tell me what the budget was, not that it would matter. She used her father's contacts to get three Champagne houses to donate the wine we would drink and the wine for auction. Sara knew someone who had contacts in the caviar business and got us a supply of Russian caviar and some other kinds. The caterer provided servers and engaged a sushi chef to make different rolls and provided other party food.
Guests were beginning to wander in so that was my cue to mingle. Sara was talking to Lisa Golden the star of my Code Women project, as I walked up.
"Paul you didn't tell me you were such a slave driver!"
"If you look in the dictionary under director that the definition of the job."
"Lisa says that you worked the crew for ten or eleven hours," said Sara.
"So, we could finish on time and I believe the crew and actors were well rewarded for the extra time."
"You see Lisa he has an answer for everything, please enjoy yourself sampling the Champagnes."
Lisa and I air kissed before she walked away. More and more folks walked into the pool area. Stopping to fill out the register and get name tags. A volunteer from the Women's Center applied a name tag to my shirt.
"There you're official," said the woman.
I went around the tables to encourage bidding on the giant bottles. I sampled some of the wine and wrote a bid for one of the giant bottles and deposited in the box. I picked up a glass of Champagne and walked toward a very distinguished woman; who happened to be my boss. Bret and her husband were able to find help with the new baby their other kids and finally busted out of their house.
I handed the glass to her and looked at the ring on her right hand it was now sporting a third ruby.
"George re-presented it to me when we brought Mary Megan home. She is doing great. I need to send Sara a thankyou card for letting the kids swim over here it was great to have them out of the way when we were getting the little one settled."
"Make a bid on one of the silent auction items. If you win, you can invite us to help you drink it," I said.
"Paul, I saw the final version of your episode and I love it. I knew you had directing chops."
I broke away from Bret and found some other member of the production crew and we discussed the production. I sampled champagne from another house. I stopped and discussed the wine with some others gathered around the table. I grabbed a second glass and went in search of Sara. She seemed to have disappeared. I couldn't go in the house because I was one of the hosts. I walked around and several starlets offered to relieve me of the champagne. We stopped when a photographer walked up and took our picture.
William walked by and stopped. "Mr. Rogers, Her Grace is in the house; she asked me to tell you that she is talking to her mother. She wants you to continue hosting the event."
I had a million questions, but I continued be the host. Mrs. Kelly walked up with a very distinguished woman with her.
"Mr. Rogers this is Mira Williams the development director for the Women's Center."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kelly. Ms. Williams it is a pleasure to meet you. Sara was called away but should be here soon."
We walked to a table and picked up glasses of Champagne and talked about the wine to each other. I noted how important The Woman's Center's work was. After a few minutes of conversation, she went to talk to someone that she knew. I walked by another table who's wine I hadn't sampled yet. William walked up to me and asked that I follow him. I thought that he was going to introduce someone to me, but we walked inside, and he directed me to the elevator. We went to the second floor and into my office. Hanging in the closet was a Tux.
"Her Grace requests that you put this on, I am here to assist you."
I got out of the clothes that I was wearing and started to put on the suit. William helped me with the bow tie and then inspected me from head to toe. William and I took the elevator back down and I walked out stopping by a table for a glass of Champagne.
"Mr. Rogers you are needed at the microphone," said William.
I walked toward the microphone and saw that Bret was standing by waiting for something.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to sample some great wine and fabulous food and engage in good conversation. I want to acknowledge our hosts Sara Salsbery and Paul Rogers, let's give them a round of applause. But we are here for a more serious purpose, to support the Women's Center. Write your bids for the large Champagne bottles. Also make as large a contribution as you can by writing a check. Mira Williams Development Director of the Women's Center is here and she will gladly accept your checks," said Bret as I walked up to the mic.
"Ditto to what Bret said, make your bids as large as you can and then write a large check to help the organization," I said feeling a little self-conscious being in the Tux.
Ms. Williams replaced me at the microphone and explained the programs that the center supported and again asked for donations. "The Center accepts Zelle transfers so you can donate using your phone."
