and the atmosphere. Sharing typewriter stories is a popular conversation starter and he gets to read a few different tales, including one about a stargazing hedgehog and another about a house built over a stream with the sound of the water echoing through the rooms. He overhears someone mention that there are people doing private storytelling sessions in other rooms but speaks to no one who has yet been on the receiving end of one. He gets confirmation that yes, it is indeed that famous author across the room and by the way there’s another one just over there that he hadn’t even noticed.
In the blue-tinged bar he finds himself conversing about cocktails with a man in a suit wearing one of the house-provided masks and a Hello, My Name Is tag with “Godot” written on it stuck to his lapel. Zachary notes the name of a Godot-recommended bourbon on the back of his printed-out ticket.
“Excuse me,” a lady in an oddly childlike pale blue dress and white knee socks says and then Zachary realizes that she’s talking to him. “Have you seen the cat around here by any chance?” she asks.
“The cat?” Zachary guesses her to be a brunette Alice of the Wonderland variety until she is joined by another lady in an identical ensemble and then it is obvious, if slightly disconcerting, that they are the twins from The Shining.
“The hotel has a resident cat,” the first twin explains. “We’ve been looking for her all night but so far no luck.”
“Help us look?” her doppelgänger asks and Zachary agrees even though it sounds like a potentially ominous invitation given their appearance.
They decide to split up to cover more ground and Zachary wanders back near the dance floor, pausing to listen to the jazz band, trying to place the familiar-sounding piece of music.
He peers into the shadows behind the band even though he thinks it unlikely that a cat would hang around with all the noise.
Someone taps him on the shoulder.
The woman dressed as Max, taller than he expected with her crown, stands behind him.
“Would you like to dance?” she asks.
Say something suave, a voice in Zachary’s head commands.
“Sure,” is what his mouth comes up with, and the voice inside his head throws up its arms in disappointment, but the king of the wild things doesn’t seem to mind.
The details of her costume are even more impressive up close. Her gold mask matches her crown, both cut from leather in simple shapes and treated with a rich metallic finish. Beneath the mask her eyes are lined with gold and even her eyelashes sparkle with the same golden glitter sprinkled throughout her upswept dark hair that Zachary now suspects might be a wig. White buttons lining the front of her gown are practically invisible against the fabric, secured with gold thread.
Her perfume is even perfectly suited to the costume, an earthy blend that somehow smells like dirt and sugar at the same time.
After a minute of silent not quite awkward dancing, once Zachary has remembered how to lead and found the rhythm of the song (some jazz standard he recognizes but couldn’t name), he decides he should probably say something, and after mentally grasping for ideas he settles on the first thing he thought when he saw her earlier.
“Your Max costume is far superior to my Max costume,” he says. “I’m relieved I didn’t wear mine, it would have been embarrassing.”
The woman smiles, the type of knowing almost smirk Zachary associates with classic film stars.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people have asked who I’m supposed to be,” she says, with a clear hint of disappointment.
“They should read more,” Zachary responds, echoing her tone.
“You are yourself with a mask on, aren’t you?” the woman asks, dropping her voice.
“More or less,” Zachary answers.
The king of the wild things who might possibly be wearing a wig smiles at him. A real smile this time.
“More, I think,” she says after considering him. “What brings you here this evening, beyond fondness for literature and cocktails? You seem like you’re looking for someone.”
“Sort of,” Zachary admits. He’d almost forgotten. “But I don’t think they’re here.”
He pulls her into a turn mostly to avoid bumping into another couple but the flutter of her gown makes the move look so impressive that several people nearby pause to watch them.
“That’s a shame,” the woman says. “They have deprived themselves of a lovely party and lovely company, I think.”
“Also I was looking for the cat,” Zachary adds. The