Midnight in Monte Carlo - Part 1

Disclaimer: I have allowed the right side of my brain mix with its left side while writing this story. So you may find more of my creativity combined with facts in this. This is fact combined with fiction.

I missed the chance of my lifetime. I knew its now or never. But I missed the chance. They say opportunity knocks the door only once. It had knocked much louder and left. Its gone. I stood there missing the sole chance of that day. I wondered what I am doing in this big dazzling party. Its not a question. Its just an exclamation.

Until few minutes before, I had thought I had found the reason for coming to this party where I know a very few people and that too not very well at all. But now, I felt like a stranger once again.

2 HOURS BEFORE

I was running rather than walking back from office. The party is at 7:15 and I am just leaving the office. The distance from office to my room is about a mile and it takes 20 mins by walk. I also need time to get ready for this party. I can take the bus too. But I don't usually do that. I want to enjoy the long walk watching the scenic landscape along the way. Even in this hurry to get ready for the party, I didn't want to take the bus. There I was running like a school kid out of his classroom as soon as the bell rings.

I reached my room in 15 mins after getting strange looks from the people on the road. I don't care anyway. It's the first ever dance party I am invited to and I am not going to be late for that by any chance. I booked a taxi for the travel to the party as I don't know the directions to reach this place. The address showed,

MIDNIGHT IN

MONTE CARLO

Venue: Science Museum

"What kind of party would be orgainzed in a Science Museum?", one of my colleague quoted when we got the invitation cards. "Who cares, as long as wine and girls are there" said another.

"I heard they have an excellent DJ there. He plays all kind of songs set to match the perfect mood of the dancers bringing the party very much live", the third said.

"Its a Christmas Party organised by the company dude. With all the money pouring in, I am sure their arrangements will be the brilliant."

"It better be…. I am renting a Porsche for this party's sake. It better be good"

Wow! I wonder how much it will cost him. "Come on guys, this is just a party orgainsed by the office. You are all going to see the same faces you are seeing everyday in office…. Are they….', I added.

"Not the same faces dude. Many other companies are joining us. I am already looking out for a particular gal in this."

"Whatever, I am leaving for the day guys", I said and closed my thinkpad.

The voice on the phone came again, "Can you tell the address again please"

I returned back to the present and said the address again. I was still doubtful about going to a science museum for a Christmas party.

Half an hour to get ready, I started my thinkpad again and started itunes. It started with Mission Impossible theme song. I thought of taking a hot shower but decided against it as the time was less and taking a shower before the party looked more dramatic as I have read in many novels. I just laughed and washed my face. Gosh! The water was too cold. I haven't turned the hot water tap. Returning back to the senses, I turned the tap and washed my face well with warm water. It was really refreshing.

The music player was playing Golden eye when I took my new tuxedo from the shelf. The music matched with the style the tuxedo showcased at the right time. When the song was ending, I was in my tuxedo, adjusting the Bow tie to the perfection. I imagined more like a James bond getting ready so smoothly with nothing but style. Yeah. My name is Bond, James bond. The taxi sounded from outside. Perfect timing. I looked around to check if I have taken everything I need for the evening. Added with a new perfume, adjusted the kerchief in my coat, tried a nice smile at the mirror which looked still awkward. I blamed the mirror for that, though I know the truth. Then my eyes caught my camera. Should I take it? Will they allow it? I don't know how its going to be? An imagination came to me with some well built body guard coming to me picking my camera and lifting me by the collars and shouting "No cameras!" I decided not to take the camera and kept it back in the cupboard. Then I left to find my escort.

"Am I going to travel in THIS?" I would consider not going to the party at all than going there in that. I regretted calling that taxi company every bit. The driver stood there smiling at me with the door opened. I wondered if that smile had a laugh hiding in it.

To be continued......