"Ryan, I got the strangest invitation in the mail today," Rita informed her older brother when he answered the phone.
"Well, how strange?" Ryan asked his 26-year-old sister, 12 years younger than him.
"It's an invitation to the Sibling Ball," she replied. "You can only get in with an invitation and you must be a brother and sister."
"Wow, that is a bit strange, isn't it?" Ryan replied, his attention now caught. "Who sent it to you?"
"My old roommate from college," she replied.
"Sara?" he asked.
"Yes," Rita answered.
"Sara was pretty crazy," Ryan observed. "Lots of fun, but definitely had a crazy streak."
"She was a great roommate," Rita said. "I've never had so much fun as I did with her."
"Well, why don't you call her and ask her about it?" Ryan suggested.
"I already did," Rita replied. "She wouldn't really tell me anything, just that it was the best party on the planet and that it would be a life-changing event for me. She said that she and her brother have been going to it for years. It only happens once a year, apparently."
"But why did she suddenly send you an invitation?" Ryan asked. "Have you stayed in regular contact with her?"
"That's another part of what's so weird," Rita said. "I haven't had any contact with her for a few years. I actually asked her why she was sending me an invitation to world's best party after not hearing from her for so long."
"What did she say?" Ryan asked.
"She said that I was smart and that she figured that I could probably handle it," Rita replied.
"That's it?" Ryan asked.
"That's it," Rita said.
"And?" Ryan asked, dragging the word out.
"It's happening at Cray's Castle," she said.
"Damn!" Ryan exclaimed. "I've always wondered what that place was like. It's fantastically huge, right up on the side of the mountain overlooking the hills and the ocean. Supposedly some really eccentric people bought it a few years ago."
"I knew you'd react like that," Rita said with a laugh. "I can remember scouting the place with you more times than I can count when we were kids. The place fascinated you even back then."
"And?" Ryan asked, again dragging the word out.
"Well, a part of me is curious about the party," Rita admitted. "Like I said, I never had a bad time with Sara, only really good ones, and I know that she wouldn't do anything that would hurt me. I thought that maybe you could go with me and you'd finally get to see the inside of Cray's Castle."
"Well, even without throwing in Cray's Castle, I admit you had my curiosity piqued," Ryan admitted. "I'm sure it would be interesting if nothing else."
"The invitation says to reply to an email address with our names and contact information, as well as proof that we're brother and sister if we'd like to attend," Rita said. "Then we'll receive further information and instructions. Should we do it?"
"I can't see any reason not to," Ryan replied, "but the whole thing has a strange feel to it."
"I know," Rita said. "No matter how good it seems, there's always this nagging feeling that we're not seeing the whole picture. That's another reason I want you to go with me, I guess. I'll feel safer."
"Well, reply to them and we'll see what they send," Ryan said.
"You don't think Emily and the kids will mind?" Rita asked, referring to Ryan's wife and 2 young daughters.
"I can't imagine why?" Ryan replied.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"This is definitely strange," Ryan said to Rita an hour later after he had received an email relating to The Sibling Party.
"I don't even know what to say," Rita said into the phone as she looked at the same email on her computer.
"Everyone to wear an eye mask and outfit which will be provided at the door," he read.
"It looks almost unworldly," Ryan said as he scrolled down through the email, looking at the few photos provided of previous parties.
"There isn't much to those outfits," Rita noticed.
"Each sibling couple will be given a numbered bracelet upon entry," Ryan read. "That number will also be your name for the evening. This is an evening of games and each sibling couple will participate in the games as a pair. These will be adventuresome, stimulating adult games. If you have any doubts about being comfortable in such a situation, please do not reply for the final explanation and instructions," Rita read. "Whew!"
"Opposite sex siblings only, adventuresome, stimulating adult games. Eye masks for anonymity. Everyone to wear the same skimpy-looking outfit," Ryan said. "Are you still curious? It's sounding like it might be a bit more than just drinks and hors d'oeuvres."
"God, I don't know," Rita replied, laughing nervously. "I mean, I'm not a virgin. I'm sure we've both seen a porno film in our lives and I've seen some hanky-panky at parties before."
"You want to go," Ryan said, a statement, not a question.
"Does it bother you?" Rita asked.
"What, going to the party or you wanting to go to the party?" Ryan asked.