Dancing at the Moma (Invite only; casual)

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

'Man, it's doing great. KMC's up there with the high profit margins these days - people must love their cars. We really raked it in over Christmas, so yeah, you could say its doing abit fantastic.'

Claudius nodded, smile widening a little at the young man's obvious enthusiasm.

"Excellent," he said warmly. "I'm glad to hear it."

'Ah well. Now you know, huh? Can't say I know the electee much, though. Seems decent enough. You know him?'

Claudius had just opened his mouth to make a reply when who should appear at their side but Hector Tormei himself. Claudius' warm smile became an outright grin as he shook his hand.

"Hector," he replied. "I'm very well, and all the better for seeing you again. It's been awhile."

He turned his attention back to Levi.

"This is Levi Knowles, Hector, of Knowles Motor Company."

[kuku]

Cathy stepped back to examine herself. Her hair was twisted into a mess of curls pinned loosely at the back of her head. Bright clusters of diamonds sat at her ears, and threaded delicately around her neck. The dress walked the line between class and sex appeal. Something she always did, and knew would get pushed in Heathcliff's face when he picked up any newspaper or magazine or turned on the TV.



Tonight's soiree was supposed to be the talk of the town. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but there was nothing she loved more than a good party. Especially one of this caliber. It seemed like lately she had managed to spend more time out of the spotlight that in it. As much as she loved her party girl ways- especially getting away with it like she did, that did not sit well with her.

As she made her way to the Moma, Cathy took copious amounts of time to pose for the photographers. She was here to be seen. After all, she had never met the nights host, but she knew of him. He was a powerful man indeed. Cathy wasn't entirely aware of his political intentions, but she knew enough to get her through the night. Eventually she was going to want to get some face time with him anyways. After all, connections were what mattered. Tonight would be a perfect opportunity for that.

Finally Cathy made her way into the party. Everything was gorgeous as she had expected. Taking note that her host was occupied at the moment, she decided to wait her turn. There was something about him that made her want to obtain the most dignified of introductions, and she figured inserting herself in a conversation already in progress was not the way to do that. She felt the need to prove that she was more than a socialite when at political events and she intended to do just that.

But there was no harm in having fun. Nobody was expected to be all business all the time. Lifting a glass of champagne from the tray offered to her, Cathy stepped further into the party, looking for someone to talk to. Preferably male...She couldn't pretend she didn't intend to give Heathcliff something to agonize over. Of course the night was just beginning and by the looks of everything it would be one to remember.

[rocky]

Imagine she has fire-engine red hair. And also that it doesn't look like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards

Adrienne didn't really own a formal gown (not one that she didn't feel a complete fraud in, anyway). She was far better at the vintage rock star chic edition of glamour than in anything remotely resembling elegant, and that was how she had chosen to arrive. The length of the skirt and the height of her neckline implied conservatism, but the outfit clung to her curves in a way that screamed pin up -- her cherry red hair was loose and curled, and she was balanced atop a pair of five-inch heeled pumps, which brought her almost to eye-level with Reed. The over-all effect was rebellious and striking, and for once Adrienne was enjoying it. It helped far more than she cared to admit that she was there with someone.

She despised attending this type of event alone, and she often had to, at Plush. The sneering comments about how she could possibly write a relationships column when she clearly was not in a relationship never took long to start flying in those situations. As tentative as she was about venturing into this ... arrangement with Reed, she was glad to have him.

He swept her in to the event with well-practised ease, and she allowed him to slip off her leather jacket and hand it to an attendant.

"I won't let the sharks get you," he said. Adrienne smirked. Tonight she was going to at least feign confidence. He'd seen quite enough of the unfortunate side of her, which was insecure, flighty and vainglorious at best: he'd asked her there, to an event that was incredibly public and glamorous, and she decided that his confidence was enough for the both of them, just this once.

And it was just as well, because they were already beginning to draw glances in their direction. Adrienne was at least a class beneath the majority of these people, and she knew she was only there piggybacking on Reed's position, but she didn't care. She was only there for him, anyway. And she liked him in most positions.

"All right, my champion," she said, under her breath. "Tell me who's a shark. I don't know any of these people."

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope was starting to get seriously lost in this sea of rich people. And Tormei didn't even bloody recognize her. Just her luck he wouldn't recognize his chat room "stalker". She snickered quietly at the thought as she followed him around, and said a peasant "Bonjour" to De la Fere, and gawked mildly at seeing an oil magnate atnd the "King" of the Hamlet media empire in the flesh just a few feet in front of her.

All the while she was plotting how to get back at Faustus. The man was a pig, there was no doubt about it. And he still thought she was going to sleep with him! She turned around and caught Faustus' eye as he went for a blond who was apparently studying the art work. She threw him a fake smile and a stiff middle finger before turning back to Tormei, who was chatting up Claudius Chandler, the Hamlet Enterprises CEO.

"You know what?" She chimed in as sweetly she could, "It's a shame one doesn't invite ones opponents to these things. I would very much enjoy watching you berate Richard Plantagenet about his spelling, Mr. Tormei. Just like a snippy schoolmarm, eh?"

[mabs]

Reed was unsure how a woman could look so prim, in a high neckline and a long skirt, and yet so devilishly dirty as well. Adrienne accomplished it thoroughly, and for once, Reed was content to actually gaze only upon his date this evening. His typical routine was to scout the room of the other gorgeous women, paying minor attention to his date, when he happened to need arm candy. But now, he was quite content to gaze at the curves that were poured into the tight skirt, screaming that Adrienne was a posterchild for the vintage and the chic.

And she didn't look too damn bad as arm candy either.

Reed smiled and waved at a few acquaintances across the room, giving them a good hearted nod. Most of these people either knew of him, or had some reason to need his services and line his pockets with cash. Regardless, these were his people.

"Fanny Ransford and her minions are a veritable pack of them. My ex-wife," Reed spoke softly. She was closer to his level now, height wise, and he didn't have to bend awkwardly to talk to her in discretion. An advantage of the death traps on her feet. Not to mention they made her legs look longer, and more sensual, and...God. He couldn't drag her off to the coatroom, so he might as well stop thinking of it.

"There," Reed added, nodding towards a pack of immaculately dressed, arrogant looking women. Franny herself was wearing cream, her hair pulled up in a conservative bun and her wrists and ears dripping with pearls and diamonds. Ever the image of simplistic riche. And ever the resting viper.

"The host, Hector Tormei, is occasionally one. I'm never quite sure if he is in my pack or another, though," Reed spoke honestly to Adrienne, as they approached Tormei and his party. He still had his hand at the small of Adrienne's back and he approached Tormei with a sense of comfortability that came from growing up in this type of scene. Though Hector seemed to be busy with a lady and a couple acquaintances that Reed recognized, but didn't know. He gave the man a nod and patted his shoulder in passing.

"Excellent party Tormei. We'll have to catch up later," Reed called jovially to the older man. He shuffled Adrienne off through the throngs of people, picking up to flutes of champagne on his way towards one of the walls of art.

"For you, my dear," he spoke with a grin, handing off the flute to Adrienne. God. Those legs. And that--

Reed shook the thoughts. They would get him no where.

[notmyproblem]

Levi's glance followed, and as he realised that Hector Tormei was approaching them, he expressed keen approval, then rose to the colourful face, with a lip-caught smile which seemed the climax of his decorative transition.

His face was illumined as Claudius spoke his name. The peculiar ability to express more than he felt was always his, but at the instant he felt more than he was able to express. He leaned toward Tormei a little, as if companionably: and genially shook his hand for the second time. Giving him a smiling, frank look, he continued the introduction. 'Mister Tormei,' They detached hands, and Levi shrank back to the side of Claudius. 'It's a real treat to have been invited, sir. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your campaign.'

He would have said more, but Tormei was, for the moment, indisposed to listen as a young woman, nearabouts Levi's own age, began to speak to him with her own peal of conversation. Finding it better to wait for a slow convalescence: he tilted his shoulders toward the angle of Claudius, excercising a wise social discretion. 'It's been a while?' He echoed, asking him in joking skepticism. There feeling a brief behind how the man knew Tormei would follow.

[JACK THE RIPPER]

Victor hated them both. Tormei had set up this event to kiss the asses of all the wealthy voters out there, and everyone knew it. They went for the party and stayed for the party. Victor was not exactly a 'politics' person, but he didn't like Plantagenet or Tormei...maybe he just shouldn't vote? But he always did, it was the sensible thing to do, so he would. And he would definitely vote Tormei.

Sorry, old friend, he thought with a funny little smirk as he gave his keys to the little valet man. Richard Plantagenet and he had known each other for upwards of fifteen years. Not only were those bad times, Victor not wanting to relive them, but he also disliked his policies. No smoking in public? It had drastically decreased the income he got in the tobacco business, even if the liquor was still going. Oh well. He would endure it. Richard would probably be there, too.

He straightened out his outfit; his well-preserved black-tie wear, that actually included a literal black tie. He felt like he should have a woman on his arm, at least, to make the suit look better--but he had decided to go alone tonight. Perhaps he'd pick one up.

Victor entered the room and examined the scene that lay before him; nothing there really spoke to him, except for the museum itself, as everyone had already gotten into clusters like this was some kind of middle school dance. He didn't much want to be there, but he had to be--he had to thrive with normal people, away from his medical journals, away from his murders, away from the plotting; he fed on knowing that he was slipping right under peoples' noses.

With a charming smile, he broke his monitoring gaze and joined the party.

((I don't know where he's walking, but it's somewhere. Someone can just adopt him XD))

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Tag: Hector's group, especially Penelope,
plus anyone else who wants to say hi.

The Museum of Modern Art was, unfortunately, not ranked among the locations at which Monte Cristo usually spent his time, those locations consisting primarily of his apartment, his office, and occasionally his residence on Long Island. The count's work as an investment banker demanded long hours from him- or perhaps it should he said that he demanded long hours from the work. Even the many invitations he received to various get-togethers seldom pried him away from his desk.

However, he had been invited to a party hosted by one Hector Tormei, a mayoral candidate. Of course, Monte Cristo's loyalty lay with Richard Plantagenet, the incumbent, and it would take more than a good deal of effort to sway him. But this fact remained unknown to everyone save himself and Richard, so Monte Cristo had decided to meet Richard's opponent firsthand.

Opting to remain low-key this evening, Monte Cristo arrived at the museum in a simple black sedan. His attire consisted of a black pinstripe suit and black tie, beneath a long black overcoat left unbuttoned. He had wondered about being underdressed, but once he stepped inside the building, he realized he need not have been concerned. Despite the formality of the invitation, the gathering felt quite casual, with guests engaging in lively discussions and at times shouting across the room.

The count recognized some of the attendees from their photographs across the media. He spotted the tall and well-dressed Hector Tormei almost immediately. There were other impressive names in attendance as well- Levi Knowles of Knowles Motor Company, Claudius Chandler of Hamlet Enterprises- upon reflection, he decided he would have preferred to see Harry Chandler there, though the opportunity to make a new acquaintance was welcome- the corporate lawyer Reed Armstrong, the socialite Catherine Earnshaw- and, by some inexplicable anomaly, Faustus. How did that insufferable being find himself asked to all these events? It was ridiculous.

After observing the crowd for a brief moment- he noticed that another man, also sporting a black tie, had done the same- he decided that the simplest and most courteous course of action would be to begin by greeting the host. Tormei was chatting with another group of guests at the moment, to which Monte Cristo proceeded. He would likely be noticed and subsequently harassed by Faustus, but he would deal with that bother once it occurred.

He reached the group in time to overhear a red-haired woman refer to Richard and his spelling. The count had little idea what the woman meant, but he felt mildly disappointed that this seemed to be little more than a Plantagenet-bashing party, if her remark was any indication. Nevertheless, he remained perfectly cordial, as always.

With a smile, he said to the young woman, "I cannot claim to know very much about the inner workings of politics, but I don't recall any of the candidates running on a 'spelling-pedant' platform." He chuckled and offered the group his customary bow. "Pray forgive my intrusion, but I felt it would be most appropriate for me to greet and thank our kind host this evening. I'm Count Monte Cristo, investment specialist."

[MAYOR HECTOR "HADES" TORMEI]

Still addressing his current company Levi, Penelope, and The Count especially

[/right]

"Mr. Knowles," Hector nodded in Levi's direction. It was always a nice opportunity to meet another business man. And when said business man was well known to Hector's most trusted friend, then it meant that he was a man that Hector should get to know better. "We'll have to set up a lunch date later, to become better acquainted. I trust that you are a more than competant business man, and I would like your input concerning some business related policies that I am looking to implement,"

Hector barely reacted when he was greeted in passing by one Reed Armstrong, making a mental note to catch up with him later, the same with the young man, Victor Griffiths, who passed and the young socialite that Hector vaguely recognized.

He was preparing to strike up a pleasant conversation with Claudius and Levi when that girl, Penny, followed him into the group.

"You know what?" She chimed in as sweetly she could, "It's a shame one doesn't invite ones opponents to these things. I would very much enjoy watching you berate Richard Plantagenet about his spelling, Mr. Tormei. Just like a snippy schoolmarm, eh?"

Hector scowled, ready to tell the girl off for being so...odd and rude, when something clicked. Penny...child...correcting Richard's spelling...Hector barely managed to keep himself from squawking with indignation. "You're that brat from the chat site," Hector hissed through clenched teeth. "You-"

Luckily for the mayor hopeful, another man approached the group, speaking casually and charmingly. Hector turned to greet him, a smile slipping into place effortlessly. Extending a hand, Hector spoke in a much practiced calm tone, "Welcome, I'm glad you came, sir. And don't mind her, she's simply bringing up irrelevent facts from a conversation that has no weight in my campaign. She's simply a child, she doesn't know any better,"

[IRENE ADLER]

Starting to see the flocks of people, she noticed Faustus stare at her hips. A chuckled escaping her as she turned around to see a man who she had not expected to see her. She was hoping that she would not see him, but seeing him with a lovely little companion she chuckled.

Reed, oh yes she knew his name now, she had down a background check on him. After all she was a crook, and she had her way around the system . But then again, she wondered and hoped she would not have to face him.

Her glass raised to her lips and nursing her lips as she continued walking towards a sitting place near as she started to hear the little one talk about Richard. This made her halt and turn around, this would be amusing to a certain degree. She started to hear the conversation, a mild smirk forming on her face as she heard the woman suggest her point of view.

She quickly turned serious when she heard the insulting tone of Hector. As she dropped her glass and started to pick up her dress hem. Her body walked towards Hector as she chuckled. " I actually think a child's point of view is very important.. since a child could actually become a citizen and a citizen has rights to actually vote." she said and smirked. Her face , turning around to stare at the other guest.

Turning around she started to see the guest in front of her as she smiled and started to pat the little girl, she had heard that her name was Penny. That was a lovely name, she hoped the child would not be hurt by Hector, if she knew him he was a big bully. Besides that there was always the quick exit of the whole crowd.

With her if she liked or not.

" And is it not important to show the youth of this city that their candidate accepts them, not scolds them in front of his guest." she added , a smiled forming on her face. She did not care what he would say later, she had a point to say and she wanted to defend this child.

[CLAUDIUS CHANDLER]

'It's been a while?'

Claudius glanced over at Laertes, somewhat amused by his tone.

"Hector and I have been friends for the past twenty years or so," he explained. He would have said more but he was distracted by the altercation between Hector and the younger woman who had chimed in.

"It's a shame one doesn't invite ones opponents to these things. I would very much enjoy watching you berate Richard Plantagenet about his spelling, Mr. Tormei. Just like a snippy schoolmarm, eh?"

"You're that brat from the chat site," Hector hissed through clenched teeth. "You-"

Claudius suppossed the latter was meant for Penny's ears only, but from what he'd gleaned in her words and the expression on Hector's face, he had guessed exactly what the case was. Hector had told him about this particular discussion when he himself had been on the chat site.

He was unable to supress a chuckle at this and had half a mind to tease Hector about it. However it was at this point that another man approached the group, and Claudius deigned it wise to have his jokes for later. He didn't want to hurt his close friend's chances in the campaign after all.

[notmyproblem]

Levi is talking with Hector, Irene, and Claudius and anyone that might be tagging around them.

'I'll get my secretary on it.' Levi replied to Tormei, strongly interested.

Yes, he was partly satisfied. He believed that he had gained a firmer footing among the rich, priveleged and fashionable social class. In a degree he was right, gain a friend in Tormei - who had a chance at going on to be Mayor of New York City, and it would effect his sector standing.

This idea clicked onto him. Like a squirrel in a cage his mind seemed to be aimlessly, unceasingly astir. Though when prompted, it speedily returned to Claudius. He stood with his face uplifted, thinking. 'Impressive.' He said, calmly smiling with extraneous interest. It was possible that Claudius might have had the same idea, which was certainly interesting from that point of view, that very novel point of view. He took a champagne from a passing tray and prolonged his smile, before he rose the glass. Though Claudius was of Hamlet Enterprises - a company fighting his own for the city's popularity - the competition felt, for now, very well meant. Unless subsequent events made it otherwise, that where Levi's opinion stuck.

The young woman drawn abruptly back into the conversation, and Tormei's reaction cause Levi to draw his lips together, and lift his brow with the faintest inquiry. A sudden call, at a perfectly impossible distance, saw another woman entered into this gradually heated movement. She drew forward her own remotest stir, and a hard, slow smile passed over Levi's face.

'How many reflective, if highly opinionated, children have you raised then, ma'am?' Came the airily asked question.

[rocky]

Adrienne is with Reed and anyone else who wants to join them

Adrienne took the champagne and sipped at it. Champagne she had always found it very easy to go lightly on -- she frankly thought it tasted like piss, but she never turned her nose up at it regardless -- she liked to stand with it. She liked to be seen as a champagne drinker, even though she wasn't one.

It was only a shame it wasn't pink, then it would have matched her skirt. The skirt was a recent purchase. Adrienne was notorious for squeezing into tight little black dresses for these events, but given everything that had happened with Reed, she had decided a strategy was definitely in order. She wasn't going to let him even glance at anybody else if it could be helped. If he remembered so much as one artistic piece from the exhibition she had categorically failed.

"Fanny Ransford and her minions are a veritable pack of them. My ex-wife."

His wife was a sour looking woman, to say the very least. Adrienne couldn't help but compare herself to her; where Adrienne was curvaceous (if she was being generous, 'hippy' if she was being honest), Franny was slender. She had the sort of haughty, tight-lipped beauty one might expect from the wicked stepmother in a fairytale -- she looked positively venomous. Adrienne wondered where she fit into Reed's 'leggy blonde' mantra. If that was who he had married, and women like Vivien were who he was fucking, where did that leave someone like her?

"That's your ex-wife?" When Adrienne spoke her voice betrayed genuine surprise; she didn't know what she had been expecting, but that wasn't it.

"The host, Hector Tormei, is occasionally one. I'm never quite sure if he is in my pack or another, though."

"I don't think sharks travel in packs," she said mildly, and took another sip of champagne, amused. He was with a writer -- the least he could do was make a vague effort to better align his metaphors.

"Tormei, though." Adrienne frowned. The name was familiar. As a green card touting immigrant she didn't take much stock in local politics -- at least, that was her excuse for not taking much stock of it. "The name is familiar. I don't know why...."

[yolanda7g]

To the group with Hector, then to Irene off to the side (Irene, slight godmod here but I'll change it if you feel she wouldn't follow him )

Faustus' large eyes widened even more at her response - did he? Did he just get flipped off? OH NO SHE DIDN'T. At this point he wasn't even paying attention to the other guests. She had turned to Hector and said some thing but Faustus already opened his mouth to tell off her sorry little ass. But Hector already was about to do so for him. His face brightened up into a triumphant grin. He was liking this guy more and more, already!

But his joy was short lived as Monte Cristo came walking in. Oh hell, what the heck was he doing here? Faustus would die of boredom if he had to stand here and listen to more of his long ass stories. Listening to the conversation, Hector seemed to finally get her dig in on Penelope and thats when Faustus made his move. Speaking mostly to Penelope but (very) loud enough for the group can hear, he added:

"That's right. She doesn't know any better. In fact, if it wasn't for me, she wouldn't even be here but now I'm starting to think this kind of scene just isn't for her. So you know what?" He put a hand to his chest to further emphasize the following sentence."I apologize on her behalf. I really am truly sorry for her behavior. Don't mind her, really."

Then he faced her fully and told her in a discreet voice under his breath, "Good luck findin' another date. What's wrong wit' you, gurl?!" He finished this to catch the tail end of what Irene was saying...barely. Boy did she look good. Mm mm MM! Shoot, that's okay, Penelope really need to learn how to get off her high horse because there were plenty of women out there, thats for sure. She wasn't the best thing since slice bread. And shiiiiiiiiiiitttt, did Irene prove that point just by standing there. Oooo wee!

Then another man interjected with some snide comment. But Faustus inserted himself before Irene could retaliate.

"Ya know what, I think it's important to hear the opinions of young people, but certainly not those who just trying to be rude and are uninformed. Am I right or am I right?" He said to the group at large, but mostly to Tormei. "Now if you'd excuse me."

He looked pointedly at Irene. He mouthed "You? Me?" then nodded off to the side - a not-so-discreet hint that he wanted to pull her aside for a bit.

He walked a few paces away from the group and thats when he really began to soak in the fact that he was standing only a few feet away from Claudius freakin Chandler. He was like a walking money tree. Dolla bills just fall from the sky where ever he goes. This was just ridiculous. Funny, at the mayor's little get together he had the 'pleasure' of meeting his crazy drunk little nephew - but at Hector's he got the real deal!

To Irene he said with a cheerful grin, "What are you doing here, girl?"

[PENELOPE LAFONTAINE]

Penelope was furious, and scowled sourly at Tormei, and especially at Faustus. Everyone, even Faustus' blond, who, admittedly, was trying to help, was so patronizing, it made her want to scream.

"Excuse me, I'm 26, in case you didn't notice. Which is well past whatever legal ages you have here. And I am quite well informed thank-you. I just don't like neo-liberal politics very much. And that seems to be all there is in this country." She smirked at Tormei as she grabbed a flute of champaign from a passing tray, draining it quickly.

Just then, a men swooped in, with a bow and a polite introduction. "My, aren't we the charmer...Monte Cristo, was it? It's to meet someone with manners." She smiled slyly and flashed Tormei a knowing grin.
"So the light bulb's finally turned on in that vast head of yours, Tormei." She remarked snidely. "That's all well and fine, but I had hoped that you would stop referring to me as a child. I don't think a child could pull off this dress so well."

She turned in her gown to show off her curves, letting her hip lightly graze Tormei's leg in a teasing gesture. As she was doing this, she turned her head in Faustus' direction, gave him a confident smirk and mouthed a "go to hell" in his direction. Tonight was quickly turning into one a doozy of a party...