Masquerade

Reprinted by permission from VICE VERSA Volume 1, No. 5, October, 1947

The night was dark velvet, and the moon, a round golden sequin, was its only ornament. A cool wind whispered among the rattling leaves of the trees & sibilant farewell to the doparting month of October. "All Hallow's Eve", it seemed to say, "All Hallow's Eve.

The bright lights of Jack's black convertible sent shadows scurrying as he drove through the dark thoroughfares. Deftly, he guided the sleek car, as sure of his mastery over the automobile as over the slim, blondo girl at his side

In tow, the streets were bright with lights. Grinning jack o'lanterns, grotesquely shaped into likenesses of black cats, pumpkins and skulls, swayed back and forth along the main avenue.

Roxanne adjusted the gossamer sheer cepe over her shouldors. "It's rather chilly", she ventured.

Jack grunted an assent and kept both hands on the wheel.

"Jack."

"Yeah?"

"Don't you like my Cleopatra costume?"

"Sure, honey, it's a dream.

-

Why?"

And when a girl

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"Oh you didn't show much enthusiasm. puts as much time and effort into it as I did.

Jack gave her a half-hearted pat on the shoulder.

"Oh,

men aren't as observing as girls over those little details.

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