Venus in Firs

Soft snowflakes gather on the window panes, lit only by the flickering flames inside the grand ballroom. Laughter rings like bells through each and every hall, floating high above the rafters in bubbly bliss. Ornaments of gold adorn the evergreen in the center of the room and garlands of deep red cascade down the walls in glittering fashion. The sensual sounds of warm midnight jazz engulf each part of your body and you relax ever so slightly, tracing your finger on the velvet armrest of your chair. Twinkling strands of lights outline each door frame, providing a dignified, yet enigmatic entrance for each black-tie clad guest who ventures through the foggy winter night. Though the clink of flutes and red-stained lips offer the sentiment of holiday cheer, somewhere beneath the shimmering surface of the night, you feel it. That knot of anticipation, ever-growing, and you wait for the scandal, the ardor you have come to know so well at Nightwork.... Your eyes scan the crowd of guests, e