Paul soaked in the moment as he took to his makeshift stage to announce the contest. He had been planning this party for months. His annual Halloween parties had become legendary in certain circles in Los Angeles, spoken about in hushed whispers over stiff drinks.
Halloween was Paul's favorite holiday because it gave license for typically reserved people to unleash their unbridled sexuality. It was by far the sluttiest holiday, he thought.
Securing an invitation on his carefully curated guest list was not easy. He eschewed the celebrity class. He disliked actors and preferred to surround himself with people who had other careers in the entertainment industry. After a couple of decades in California he had finally found his crowd. People who were fit and healthy and beautiful but also down to earth and comfortable in their own skin. People he genuinely enjoyed.
Paul had the means to throw a truly extravagant celebration, having achieved real success in his career as a film producer. Every year he pulled out all the stops, trying to outdo himself. This year, his estate had been transformed inside and out with dance floors, elaborate decorations and numerous surprises for his guests. He had hired several performers including an aerialist, a pole dancer, and go-go dancers. They were all costumed, of course, along with the wait staff and bartenders.
He looked out over the gathering crowd and was impressed by the intricate and provocative costumes. He thought back on last year's party. By the end of the sexiest costume contest, there was not a soft cock in the house. This year he planned to up the stakes significantly.
Paul welcomed the crowd and announced the rules of the contest. At the stroke of midnight, contestants would take to the stage, one group at a time, and perform a skit of their own invention. Each participant would play the character dictated by their costume.
"If you're dressed as a sexy vampire, you play a sexy vampire," he explained. "You'll have use of some simple props, a table, some chairs, but mostly your creativity will make the difference. I know this is an artistic crowd and I expect great things."
The sexiest performance, in his sole judgement, would win the grand prize. The prize was an all-expenses paid trip to Cabo to spend a week at Paul's private villa with full use of his house manager and personal chef.
At this announcement, his guests began to chatter excitedly. Paul spoke up over the din. "The only rule is that photography is strictly prohibited, for the sake of our contestants. Anyone caught with their phone out during the performances will have it confiscated by my staff." He looked around at his guests to make sure they knew he was serious.
"Okay, come on up here and put your group on the list any time before midnight. In the meantime, eat up, drink up and enjoy yourself!"
* * *
THE ARREST
"So's this how you thought we'd be spending our third date?" Emily asked.
"Not quite!" Adam laughed. "Figured we'd be watching some Netflix, maybe getting ready to 'Chill'." He raised his eyebrows, making it clear that he was joking. Kind of.
"Just didn't expect to be 'chilling' in front of an audience for the first time, huh?"
"I told you we didn't have to enter the contest," he said.
"It'll be fun! I don't even care about winning."
"Wouldn't it be more fun to watch everyone else make a fool of themselves?"
"You're not chickening out on me."
"A lot of my friends are here, Emily."
"C'mon Adam. I thought you were 'willing to try anything once'," she said tossing a quote from his Tinder profile back at him.
"Babe."
"I won't embarrass you. Don't you trust me?" She brushed a lock of strawberry blonde hair out of her face and looked up at him with soft green eyes. Her smile curved mischievously at the edges. That face gutted him. He knew it would always make him give in.
"I do, I think." He grinned. "Anyway, it's not my hot little ass that everyone is going to be staring at up there."
"Don't be so sure. I gotta show all those lady friends of yours who you belong to now." She winked as she smacked his ass.
"Up first," Paul's voice shouted over the chatter, "we have Emily and Adam! Please come to the stage!"
Emily grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the front of the room.
"Shit." Adam's heart was racing. "So, what's our plan again?"
"I'm going to arrest your ass."
"Okay. I'll follow your lead."
"Don't worry, I've watched a lot of Law and Order."
They were greeted with clapping and catcalls from the crowd as they stepped onto the stage.
"Emily, it's a real pleasure to meet you," Paul said. "You look fetching in your uniform. I see you're an FBI agent?" He pointed to the bold letters on one side of her large chest.
"Federal Body Inspector, actually." Emily turned around and pointed to the text on her back. Her black uniform jumpsuit wore more like a long-sleeved one-piece bathing suit. It was skintight and was cut high, exposing the bottom half of her tan butt cheeks.
"Lucky for us!" Paul said, pausing to admire Emily's petite figure. "And Adam, I see you're still doing CrossFit."
Adam shrugged an acknowledgement. His convict uniform consisted of orange spandex briefs that were barely larger than a speedo. Black suspenders ran up his otherwise bare torso, showing off his muscular chest and rippling six pack abs.
"Thank you guys for going first." Paul turned to the crowd. "They will be performing a skit called 'The Arrest'. Let's give them a warm round of applause and help them break the ice up here."
The crowd got loud. "Take it away guys!" Paul exited the stage and after a moment the crowd quieted down.