Whodunnit?

Today, the Playfriends are heading to Tennessee for our annual HOD retreat. We have the most perfect B&B we stay at. We rent out the whole place and run amok. Well, not quite, although we have been known to have too many margaritas and sing stunning renditions of “Just like Jesse James.” Attempts are made at craft workshops, but really, we just eat and talk and talk and talk... I’m usually brain dead by the time we go home on Sunday.

This year, the original retreat coordinator bought a murder party kit to play Saturday night. I ended up taking over when she couldn’t continue and I have to admit I volunteered just because of the party. I love this kind of stuff and I’ve gotten totally involved in preparing for the game. I can’t play a character myself because I’ve read all the information. I had to. Anyway, I know everyone’s secrets. It works best that way, though, because the game needs a facilitator. I get to set everything up, hide weapons, keep the game flowing. It also helped me pick out the right characters for everyone. Some were easier to assign than others. :) I think its going to be fun.

So, I’ve spent weeks preparing for the game. I’m a nerd – Smarty Pants – hello?? I’ve gone beyond the call of duty of a game facilitator. I have an authentic flapper costume. I’ve bought 20’s music CDs for atmosphere - I need to brush up on my Charleston too. Angel is bringing her Playground poker set (I guess I’m the last to know there even was one) so we’ll have a poker room for players. There will be a bar stocked with bathtub gin (I’m not sure what will actually be in it...) and appetizers set out. There will be a bouncer at the door. All attendees will find confidential packets and game play information in their hotel rooms when they check in. I got special notepads for everyone to use to write down clues, made labels, put together a newsletter with information on it - I sat for hours stuffing envelopes while I watched TV. We’re serving a three course Italian dinner to go along with the whole gangster thing. I even got quirky prizes for the best sleuth, costume, actor and money maker for the night.

I’m just giddy about the whole thing and praying it goes well! I just love a good mystery and Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so put together a puzzle with costumes and I am THERE! Most of us are going to be AWOL today, so its up to you guys to keep the blog alive. Do you like a good mystery? What’s your favorite mystery? A book? A movie? Maybe even the Clue boardgame – Miss Scarlet in the Conservatory with the Lead Pipe! One commenter will win one of the romantic suspense titles in my stash!

SP (known for the weekend as Miss Molly, one of Madam MeMe's working girls)