I just got back from the coolest Halloween party that I've ever been to. I recently moved to a new city, but I have already made a lot of friends at the law firm I work for. I was invited to a Halloween party and it sounded like a fun time though I had no idea what to expect.

The invitation was sealed with a faux wax seal and tri-folded like an old fashioned letter. The text was written in beautiful, ornate script, and invited me to a fancy dress ball at the Chandler mansion. It was to be a formal occasion and Colonial style American dress was required as well as a RSVP.

I went a little overboard with the RSVP I sent back. I wrote it with a calligraphic pen I bought at the stationery store.

After I checked with the local costume shop who was renting to their party guests at a reduced rate I reserved a gorgeous green velvet coat, ruffled shirt, knee length pants, silk stockings and black shoes with gold buckles.

I found it strange there was a line of people waiting outside the mansion when I arrived. For some reason they were only allowing people enter a few at a time. No one had heard of such of a thing before, but fortunately we weren't waiting long before we were let in by a man dressed in 18th century servant's clothes.

The guests who were already there were very friendly to the newcomers. One of the women who came up to me was very beautiful, she was named Sylvia. I did notice all the guests, except those who had just arrived, had pale BEAU1:make-up] on.

A string quartet played some 18th century waltzes while the guests chatted. I saw some of my co-workers, but I was temporarily more interested in Sylvia. All of a sudden, the music changed to tempo and became almost discordant. The guests were bathed in red light and everyone around me grimaced revealing their fangs! They grabbed my arms and legs before I could react and carred me into another room making fierce snarling noises that drown out most of my shrieks and protests. I was placed on a Louis the XIV couch and one of them carried over an ornate box. I had no idea what was inside. A sacrificial knife? I was very relieved when they took out a set of fake vampire teeth and some white makeup, which two of the women put on me.

After all the new guests had been turned vampires, everyone returned to the ballroom and the next set of victims were let in. Now, I understood why everyone was so eager to talk to the new guests! It was an excellet vehicle for a party ice breaker. I wanted to talk to Sylvia again, but then I saw a new guest named Janet--she became my first victim.

After everyone had arrived, pictures were taken and then, dinner was served. For the more ravenous, there was rare steak, turkey legs or liver and onions blood and red Sebastiani wine. There was also baked brie with French bread, beets, twice baked potatoes with sour cream, cheddar cheese and chives. About 80 guests were seated at a huge banquet table in the dining room.

After dinner, the men gathered in the drawing room for cigars and cognac. While the women gathered for tea and cake in the sitting room.

A half hour later everyone returned to the ballroom for waltzing. I danced with both Sylvia and Janet. The party went until late in the evening and not only did everyone have a fantastic time, but this was the Chandler's, most successful party. Everyone says they probably out do this one next year, and I can hardly wait.