The residential area known as Cherry Grove passed quickly by outside the window as Roger and Ellen drove into the fading light of the evening. The couple had moved there some four months ago when Ellen had been offered a very lucrative position with a newly minted energy contractor, it was a dream job for Ellen but a tough decision to move away from family and friends. Roger was still trying to catch on with one of the local businesses in some computer support capacity but that had been far from their biggest problem. Though they had a beautiful new house in a posh neighborhood they still felt a bit cast adrift, both of them were terribly shy and making new friends was a difficult task for them.
At least that had been the case until just recently when a chance encounter with a man in the neighborhood had led to an invitation to join his social club. The man in question named Richard, was a tall and rather athletic looking gent of perhaps sixty, with a barrel chest and a voice to match he spoke with just a hint of a European accent perhaps German or maybe Russian. He had stopped Roger one day when he was out watering his lawn, they began to chat about this and that until after two months of occasional run-ins on the sidewalk he had appeared at their door one day. He was there to offer them a chance to visit and perhaps become members of what he described as a rather exclusive co-ed social society.
"I think you both would rather enjoy it," he said when bringing the invite "It's a tight knit group and we certainly have a lot of fun together and I can assure you the facility is first rate."
"So it's like, what, a country club then?" asked Roger.
"Err...well something like that, it's one of those things you really have to see for yourself, we initiate new folks once a month, next time is this Friday" Richard answered.
"Initiate...sounds like a frat," said Roger with a bit of a frown; he had always hated that kind of elitist crap, mainly because he was never invited.
"HA! No it's not like that at all, more of a formality really, but one that has to be observed" Richard replied. "So what do you say?"
Roger paused in thought running a hand through his dark brown hair as his brow furrowed in concentration.
"I guess I can talked to Ellen see what she has to say about it" he replied with a smile lighting his handsome features that had often led to comparisons with a young Clint Eastwood.
Well after a brief talk with Ellen, they had agreed and that is how they found themselves traveling the back roads of the county for the past hour trying to get their GPS to cooperate and take them to the right address.
"I think this piece of shit is busted" Roger complained. "We've been driving around forever and there are no houses out here, it's the middle of nowhere."
"Wait!" said Ellen. "Isn't there a turn out just past those trees ahead?"
What looked like a turn out turned out to be a narrow road that soon brought them to an old black iron gate that stood conspicuously open, as they passed through Roger noted the correct address posted on one of the granite columns. After a winding drive through a heavily wooded area their eyes widened in surprise as they emerged before an enormous mansion that looked right out of an episode of Downton Abbey, Roger slowed the car and turned in to the drive as a well-appointed valet stepped up to his door.
"I will take care of your vehicle sir" the valet offered smartly. Roger reached for his wallet but the valet waived him off.
"Not necessary sir, please enjoy your evening," said the valet and with that he swiftly entered Rogers's car and sped away around toward the back of the massive estate.
"Huh...well, I guess we knock" said Roger stepping up to the rather ornate double doors that stood some twelve feet tall and were made out of what appeared to be heavy oak. Before he could knock, the door suddenly swung open and they found themselves starring at Richard's smiling face as he fairly beamed back at them.
"Delightful!" he said, "I'm so thrilled you could attend, please come in."
He waved them into an expansive entryway that seemed to soar up toward the sky with a gorgeous glass ceiling letting in the last fading light of the day.
"This must be Ellen, Roger's description hardly did you credit my dear, you are a true beauty" Richard said as he actually took her hand with a kiss like an old world gent. Ellen found herself blushing a bit with the complement though truthfully every woman liked to be told she was beautiful.
"Thank you so much for inviting us" Ellen managed to stammer out.
"Not at all my dear, delighted to have you" Richard replied "Why don't we step this way."
Richard led them down a short corridor that ended it what appeared to be a sort of library with bookshelves covering most of the walls, on a small breakfront sat a nondescript black decanter and Richard moved to it quickly pouring three glasses of a slightly amber liquid.
"Here, to the beginning of a wonderful evening and hopefully a long association" Richard offered in toast after handing them each a glass.
"What's this?" Roger asked.
"A bit of a home brew we prefer around here, I'm sure you will quite like it," he offered back.
Figuring that it couldn't be poison if he was drinking it as well Roger quickly downed his with Ellen doing the same, it had a vaguely fruity taste like wine but with a bit more kick and it soon spread a warmth through his stomach. As they stood eyeing the tomes covering the walls a new figure entered the room, a woman, in her early forties perhaps with short dark hair wearing a long black evening dress.
"Ah Penelope right on time, Ellen this is Penelope she will take you where you can change for the initiation ceremony," Richard said.
