It was a typical Saturday night for Jason Anderson. He was on his way home from yet another keg party; alone as usual. The only difference tonight was that it was Halloween and instead of his typical t-shirt and jeans, Jason was dressed in a tight black shirt and pants with a white skeleton emblazoned on the front. Jason chose a lightweight costume knowing how warm it was expected to be. The thin material hugged his athletic frame, showing off not only his muscles but also his package, a fact that he hoped to use to his advantage.
Jason had gone to the party hoping to hook up with his longtime crush, Erica. Although she was at the party, and looked stunning in a slutty nurse costume, she was much more interested in Derek, the quarterback of their school's football team.
Jason is an awkward eighteen year old high school senior who, though handsome with a good body, had never been very comfortable or successful with the opposite sex. He dated a few girls but never made it past first base and had hoped that Erica would be the one to help him out of his rut.
While driving home, Jason called his friend Scott to see when he finished his shift at the hotel.
"What's up?"
"Still working. I'm on the late shift tonight. How was the party?"
"A total bust."
"That sucks. You should swing by the hotel. There is a crazy party going on. You should see the outfits that these women are wearing."
Jason thought it over for a few moments before responding. Scott had been his best friend since grade school and always looked out for him. The past few times that Scott tipped him off to a party at the hotel had proven to be worthwhile so he decided to head over and indulge in some free drinks instead of going straight home.
"Alright, I'll be over in a few."
"Come in the back door, just like last time. I'll be there."
"Cool, see you in a bit."
Jason hung up and took a quick right turn, changing course for the hotel.
Scott worked in the catering group of the biggest hotel in town. During the spring and summer months the massive hotel was filled with sun worshipers and beach goers, but during the fall and winter it mostly as a convention center. Large groups often booked the banquet hall for various parties, attracted by the cheap off-season rates.
Jason pulled his beat-up Jeep into the employee parking lot and parked in the far corner. He weaved through the parked cars as he made his way to the service door that his friend left propped open for him. Nearing the door he could make out the silhouette of Scott in the shadows of the building, smoking a cigarette while waiting for his friend.
"Hurry up would you. I've got to get back on shift, we are getting slammed in the kitchen tonight." Scott called out to him.
Jason picked up his pace and without skipping a beat followed his friend into the bustling kitchen.
"Sorry, I got here as quickly as I could."
"No problem. I'll get you in and catch up with you later when my shift is over."
Scott led his friend through the kitchen and past the staging area.
"Hey, what's all this?" Jason asked, pausing in front of a pile of boxes.
"That stuff is leftover from the casino room that they set up earlier. I think it was some sort of charity thing.
Jason's hand slipped into the open top of one of the boxes and pulled out a fistful of poker chips. His friend snapped him out of it as he stared at the plastic coins.
"Come on, I don't want to be late for my shift again."
"Ok, let's go." Jason said and pushed the chips into his pocket hoping that he might be able to play a little poker at the party.
"Here, put this on. I'll catch up to you later. Have fun in there." Scott handed him a black mask and then hurried back to the kitchen.
Jason waved back at his friend and pushed through the swinging door into the large ball room. As he strode through the door he felt someone grab his arm and pull him aside.
"Not so fast!" A voice snapped at him from behind.
Jason couldn't believe that he was busted already.
"Everybody has to wear their mask. Let me help you with that." He was relieved when the mask was snatched from his hands and reappeared in front of his face. A pair of hands tugged at the mask from behind before finally releasing him.
"There you go. That mask won't be going anywhere now." The voice had acquired an assertive tone.
Jason surveyed the room and saw that everyone was wearing an identical mask. It was a black half mask that covered the top part of your face, effectively obscuring the wearer's identity. The mask was made of thick fabric with thin firm ribs running through it that caused it to form to the curves of the wearers face when tied tightly, as his was. The mask covered the wearer's cheeks, eyes and forehead, while leaving their nose and mouth exposed. He saw that the back of everyone's head was adorned with a black silk ribbon tied into neat bows and assumed that his was no different.