Prologue

Abraxas takes in the surroundings and this woman who has summoned him, he settles into a chair and speaks the familiar words of his usual greeting. What do you want to know about lies, my dear? Ill tell you about lies. There are white lies and black liesand many shades of grey lies. Some lies are justified. Lies told out of kindness. Lies that preserve dignity. Lies that spare pain.

She considers what he has said, choosing her own words carefully, Ive carried you in my life long enough and often enough to understand that, but what are lies?

He ponders her question, her concern of them, speaking silently to her, Is it simply to tell an untruth? Is there an absolute holistic relationship between untruth and dishonesty or insincerity? Or could it be that given enough conviction a lie unfolds, however delicately or indelicately, into truth?

Now she is forced to ask, What is truth?

Again His answer circles her, Is it the state of case, the body of real things, events and facts? Is it our fidelity to a belief? Or, is it simply the sincerity of our action, our character and our utterances?

He knows she does not yet recognize the circle, the human condition of conviction and how it forms the infinite loop between truth and lie, and so he continues, Is conviction our belief or is it our great power of persuasion to promote a belief? Could that power be so great, that we convince another of their error, to embrace our perception of truth? But is it truth that lies encapsulated within the belief?

He smiles as she begins to know, to understand, for now she circles, That would mean that truth is relative, elusive, and definable only by the bearer of the thought, or the receiver of the idea? And therefore, any variation in understanding between bearer and receiver is a greater level of truth, or, has truth become the lie and conviction the cause?

He speaks once more, challenging her to her own convictions, My power is great, because they do not perceive me. I implore you to look upon them, witness what they cannot and help them to understand, before it is too late


Chapter 1

They were encased in small ivory envelopes each postmarked the previous day here in L.A. with no other indication of the sender. One by one they are opened, unaware of the invitation, the invitation hidden within the obvious words printed there in sage. Eager and excited to accept at face value, all had returned their R.S.V.P but one.

For days she had stared at it, wondering why she had received it, why it said what it did. Then two days before, she received a second envelope; this one was no longer an invitation, but an imposed acceptance, alerting her that a car would arrive at half past two on Friday to escort her to the location.

It was not until the limo arrived and she stepped out of it, did she know for certain that she was attending. Even after entering the vehicle, she held to the opportunity to decline with a simple request of the driver to turn around. After two and half hours of turmoil and hesitation battling within her, she finally acquiesced to the idea of being pampered one last time in a lifestyle no longer available to her. After all, how awful can it be to stay for a weekend in such a place?

A place of luxury, this Victorian B & B, exclusive and secluded in the midst of southern Californias Santa Ynez Valleys wine country. Fine dining, shopping, horse-backing, bicycle rentals, and gliding, along with winery tours and wine tasting, spas and aroma therapy massages, all available, all planned according to the agenda handed to her by the driver. It had been long since she had enjoyed such excess.

He greeted her friendly and gracious, helping her with her bags and escorting her to her room, You may wish to take a few moments to freshen up before gathering with the other guests in the main lounge. Everyone is expected at a quarter to six for a proper welcome, there will be wine and hors d’oeuvre, with dinner to follow in the formal dining room. Just before closing the door he reminded her, You must bring your invitation with you, it is required as per instructions.

Marina sat down in the plush Victorian chair, reading the message at the bottom of her invitation once more. You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. ~ Richard Bach

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She stopped just short of the entrance hearing their voices drifting across the evening air. Panic rose inside, her breath caught short, halting her approach, paralyzed by their familiar voices. He stepped up to her, reaching out his hand, May I have your invitation please? Numb and detached, she handed it to him not yet convinced her limbs would carry her forward. He read it carefully, placing it in his jacket side pocket, and offering her his arm.

Head held high with tranquil pretense as he lead her to her chair handing back her card, this will be your seat. Conversation quickly ceased, awareness of her presence having filtered throughout the room, he stopped amidst them all, Ladies, if you will be seated as arranged, we may proceed.

She slowly glanced about the room, taking each woman in, attempting in vein to make eye-contact with any who might meet her gaze. Finally, her attention shifted to the significance of their seating arrangement. It was Kit who took her seat first, not far from where she had been standing next to the fireplace, leaving her facing Marina from across the expanse of the room.

Alice and Dana were next proceeding with an apparent air of distance safely between them. The seating had them opposite Kit, to the other side of the fireplace, with only a lamp table separating them.

Not dissimilar was the seating of Bette and Tina, eyes haunted by the nearness of the other, they sat just beyond Kit as the circle began to take shape.

Shane walked Jenny to a small couch just to Marinas right. Its position provided a perfect and elemental barrier between her and Marina not forcing them to face one another.

Last to be seated was Shane hollow eyes betrayed her to all; hesitant she made her way to the chair nearest Marina.

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Now, to get us started, I would first like to welcome all of you. It is our intention to provide you with an enjoyable and a pleasantly stimulating experience during your stay. You have each been provided an agenda. It is expected for you to follow the agenda during your stay. Please, do not view this as an imposition, but instead, an invitation to a series of select extraordinary encounters. This evening we will begin with an introduction to your challenge and instructions for this endeavor.

You each have a card in your possession. Each has a number on the back in the lower left-hand corner. Please look for the number now.

I am going to ask you to read from the cards in sequence according to the number. Who has number one?

Kit sighs, Well, I guess one good thing about it, as soon as Ive read it, Im done.

Please read the text aloud for everyone.

As she readies herself she realizes, wait a minute, this isnt my invitation.

No, it is not. This is one of several clues you will receive tonight and tomorrow, clues that must be associated to one of the other of you. The one who first associates all clues correctly to the appropriate individual will be assured the promise contained within your original invitation.”

When you believe you have done so, you must simply contact me and I will inform you if you are correct. I will not however disclose whether or not you were first. This discovery will be unfolded Sunday evening just prior to your departure, as per the agenda.”

“There is one more condition, if you reveal the promise made to you or you decide to leave, you will have conceded to the loss of whatever was promised you. Now, if we could get started, so that you may proceed to your first dinner. Please read the words on the card.

Kit reads, It says, we know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart. ~ Blaise Pascal

Clearing her throat, sitting straight in her seat, Bette simply states, Number two, everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. ~Carl Gustav Jung

Dana rubs the back of her neck, reflecting quietly as the words pass her lips, Three, there are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. ~Oscar Wilde

She stares at the printed text, hesitating to say the words out loud, revealing as they are to her, surely they too will see a reflection of her in them, I have number four. Sound barely escapes her throat as Jenny lays herself before them, exposed, everyone believes very easily whatever they fear or desire. ~Jean de La Fontaine

I suppose that leaves me to read next, I am number five. Marina inwardly struggles still with her composure, she knows that of all of them, she is the one unwelcome here tonight. She is who, no one of them wishes to be near, no one of them wishes to see, You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. Her eyes dart to the back of Jennys head before returning quickly to the safety of the paper in her hand, ~Richard Bach

Guys, I think weve been setup. These quotes seem appropriate for whoevers reading it. Do any of you agree?

He holds up his hands motioning to stop their responses, Tina, please read.

She realizes now, what she has said and the way it will affect how they hear what she is to read, reluctant she obeys, It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. ~Abraham Lincoln

I want to know something, who put this little gathering together? Obviously it was someone who knows us all. They may even be in the room. All expenses paid, who can afford that?

Once again, he motions for silence, Dinner will be ready soon, we should complete so that you may enjoy it. I will explain more in a moment.

Alice looks around to see if any one of them will support her, but she sees their eyes avoiding her, alright fine, number seven, we seek the comfort of another. Someone to share and share the life we choose. Someone to help us through the never ending attempt to understand ourselves. And in the end, someone to comfort us along the way. ~Marlin Finch Lupus

Well uh, number 8 and it goes like this, I had ambition, by which sin the angels fell; I climbed, and step by step, oh Lord, ascended into ***** ~W. H. Davies Shane is the first to look at Marina, her eyes accusing and certain of whom she has just spoken.

He reaches in his pocket and pulls out one more, Number nine.

Whoa, wait a minute, youre gonna read one and whos would that be? Again Alice looks around the room, this time the others too are wondering, looking about the circle knowing they are all here.

I represent your host. It could be that one is missing from among you. It could be that I represent an optional facet of one or more of you. That will be for you to determine. Now if I may, we never reflect how pleasant it is to ask for nothing. ~Seneca

That would be the last in this set of clues. You may now take your cards and place them here within the matching numbered portfolio sitting on the mantel. It is here where you will place each clue as you receive and reveal it to the rest. This will enable each of you to review them as an aid in making your selections. Please excuse me, I will check to see if dinner is ready. He places his card in the first slot of the portfolio numbered nine and leaves them.

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Alice, ever curious, walks to the mantel and examines the portfolios, theres room here for six clues that ought to be enough for us to identify each other. I mean after all, we have known each other for a long time.

Shane stands up slapping her card against her hand, yeah, I dont think this will require a rocket scientist. Again her glare is aimed at Marina as she too heads to the mantel and places her piece in the adjacent portfolio.

The thick air splinters between them declaring the drawn lines of acceptable and unacceptable, the lines heavily fortified over the months since that night. Marina knows no matter what she does she will cross their lines, she has no choice for they have been drawn surrounding her providing them their barrier of comfort. She stands and steps towards the couch, speaking softly and directed, how are you Jenny?

Without looking, Jenny stands, with a mere glance down and sideways in her direction, proceeding on to the mantel with no other response or recognition of her words or her presence.

Ladies, dinner is ready, if you will finish placing your cards in the portfolios we can move into the dining room. Marina steps up close behind her, reaching past her and subtly taking in her scent, her frame close and fitting to her own. Jenny fumbles with the placement of her card and Marina takes it gently from her hand placing it for her. Without even a cordial utterance, she turns and walks towards Shane, standing just to the side and back of her.

Kit steps up and nods to Marina, her eyes acknowledging the pain that had flashed across Marinas face, quickly hidden as she regained her stoic faade. Bette speaks to her, her tone reticent, Hello Marina. Youre looking good, as always. Bette turns into Tina, her calm shaken and T was all she could say. With a sideways glance Tina steps away from the mantel.

If thats everyone?

No, theres one more, Alice walks over to Dana, having never left her seat, and reaches for her card. Dana has missed her friend, her special friend, Thanks Al.

This way. They slowly begin to follow, Shane close to Jennys side, then Kit, then Tina with Bette only steps behind her, Alice and Dana side beside with Marina last to follow.

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Seating at the round table is in the same order as in the lounge, positioning them into a carefully formed circle of friends; Kit, Tina, Bette, Marina, Shane, Jenny, Dana, and Alice.

On the underneath of your place-cards is a statement or a question. These are to be used to spur conversation should it be lacking, please do not hesitate to use them. I believe its obvious now the intent of this gathering is to bring you together, recognizing and reconciling that which has kept you apart for too long.

Well, you all know me Ive never been one to be speechless. Ill start by giving you an update on whats been going on in my life, one of you can pipe in wherever. I still work for LA Magazine, still single, oh and I finally got the editor to let me do a series on the chart in conjunction with the six degrees of separation theory.

Yeah Al, we know, you had my name plastered all over LA. Shane resents the publication of her sexual encounters, Did you hook up with Lacey for that? You may as well have used my picture on an STD poster. I cant even get a girl to talk to me anymore, let alone sleep with me.

Honestly Shane, whos left beyond the women in this room, excluding one of course, who you have slept with, Tina is harsh in her statement of fact, a truth unable to be denied.

Who? You slept with one of us, we arent supposed to ***** our friends, remember. Alice understands the boundary, where friendship is threatened and the unspoken rule governing it, never to be betrayed.

Bette looks to Marina, it was you, wasnt it? You probably seduced her just like all the rest; you really dont have any conscience do you?

Her voice soft and timid, It was me. Jennys hand covers her mouth, late in its attempt to stop the disclosure. Marinas eyes drift up gazing upon the air as she collects the last few particles of oxygen within her grasp.

I dont believe you Shane. Youre a predator, never looking beyond your own immediate needs, seducing and lying about your intentions, just like, Alice stops before naming them, knowing the ensuing battle that would follow.

He takes his role serious, knowing the goal of this gathering, understanding the nature of the undertones within the room, Dana, why dont you read your place-card.

Oh, okay. She picks up the card and reads it slowly before speaking, are you sure? This is pretty enflaming. Just remember guys, Im reading this, it wasnt my idea to say it.

She takes a sip of wine before continuing, What are lies? Is it simply to tell an untruth? Is there an absolute holistic relationship between untruth and dishonesty or insincerity? Or could it be that given enough conviction a lie unfolds, however delicately or indelicately, into truth?