Party Tricks

Chapter 1

It was Ian's 30th Birthday and his partner Andrew was pushing the boat out with an extravagant party at their favourite nightclub. The club had rooms to hire for special events like this, so it was the perfect place for everyone to let rip into the small hours and beyond. Andrew thought about trying to keep the party a secret, but Ian guessed early on in the planning phase. Andrew was not unhappy to be able to share the work organising everything. However, he had insisted on booking a drag act as a showstopper for the party. They'd seen Ellie Gantz at a club a few months earlier; fortunately, she was available for the big night.

"I got Ellie!" Andrew called across the flat to Ian as he emerged from the bathroom. "For the party! I got Ellie!"

"Oh brilliant! Thank you, sweetheart. Oooo. I'm having an idea...."

Andrew knew all too well what this could mean.

"Really? I mean it's your party, but shouldn't we leave it to the professionals to do all the entertaining?"

"Where's the fun in that? No. No, no. You and I are going to be a part of this. We will let Ellie do her set and then we can join in! Come on it'll be fun to glam up and sing in a big frock with big hair...."

"OK! OK!! I give in. Want me to let Ellie know?"

"No, it's OK. I've got this from here. Just don't pile on the weight between now and the party. We are going to have to look fabulous. Speaking of which, we need to go shopping!"

It's fair to say that planning the entertainment took over Ian's life over the next few days and weeks. Invitations were sent, and as the RSVPs came back, Ian was very pleased to see that Sam had accepted. Ian hadn't seen Sam since school, but they were great friends and still stayed in touch on social media. Ian had visited Sam when she had lived out in Sydney for a few years, but that was mostly as an excuse to be at the best Gay Pride carnival in the world. Ian knew that Sam had returned home, now that she had found the love of her life and Ian guessed that her new love would be her plus one. Ian was looking forward to seeing Sam again, but he had an ulterior motive. You see, Sam was hypermobile, sometimes called double-jointed and she could bend her body into seemingly impossible positions. Ian's devious mind was hoping to rope Sam into his plans for the cabaret entertainment...

"So how's it all coming along? Is Andrew still talking to you?" Nick asked as he sipped at his drink.

"It's going great! And Andrew loves to pout, you know that. I think he's actually relieved to be "busy at work" most of the time. I'm loving this!" replied Ian. "The venue has confirmed they can do the erotic ice-sculpture drink fountain. You know where you pour the shot into the top and it chills as it cascades down inside the sculpture and appears out of its cock. Well, it will for a while, until someone decides to have fun with a frozen willy. The food is all sorted, we've got a free bar organised, there's a DJ for most of the evening and then the Cabaret grand finale!"

"Sounds amazing! So you don't need a hand with anything? I kind of assumed that's why you wanted to meet..."

"Well. Now that you mention it. I did want to see if you can help me with a little scheme I've got cooking. One of my oldest and dearest friends will be coming to the party and she is gorgeous. Beautiful curly blonde hair and a fabulous figure. And honestly, I have always been very jealous of her boobs. We used to mess around together at my house, playing dress up with my mother's clothes and she really helped me understand who I was. She never judged me for being gay and we had lots of fun. One thing we used to do was both of us squeezing into my mother's dresses, Sam in front and me behind her, but I had my arms in the sleeves of the dress. You know, like the Helping Hands routines they do on improv shows. It was so good running my fingers through her hair and fondling her boobs. I could really feel like they were mine, just for a few minutes…”

“Wow! That sounds amazing. And so does she. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“And that’s where you come in. If she agrees to help me out with the cabaret act, I’ll need you to help us get ready.”

“Of course, no problem. But I’m sensing there’s something else…”

“Yes, there is. Or could be. I’ve never met Sam’s new guy and I don’t know how he’s going to react to my idea. I might need some support…”

“Hmmm. OK. I’ll come prepared for any eventuality, as long as you show me some pictures of this gorgeous friend of yours.”

Ian pulled up Facebook on his phone and showed Nick Sam’s profile and all the photos she had posted.

Nick had to agree, Sam was truly gorgeous and as they scrolled through the pictures, an idea of his own started to form.

“So. If I understand your cunning plan correctly, you are going to try and persuade Sam to re-enact your youthful game and have her in front of you when you’re on stage? You’re basically going to borrow her body so that you can look incredible and everyone will be amazed? Is that it?”

“Got it in one! You won’t believe how she can bend her arms back out of the way and she was even able to roll her head back over my shoulder so I was virtually looking down on her cleavage like it was my own. I reckon with a big hair wig, she will disappear completely. Then I get to have the most realistic body for a drag act possible!”

“I can guess what you’re going to do and why you’re nervous about the boyfriend. You'll also need someone to look after Sam's clothes and stuff while you two are an item, right?”

Ian’s previous enthusiasm evaporated and his face fell.

“Again, got it in one. I really want to have this experience once more and I'm afraid it won't happen.”

“Hmmmm. Now I’ve seen her, I can understand where you’re coming from. But I’ve got an idea of my own that might help…”

The night of the party arrived and Ian was beaming as he greeted guests at the bar.

"Somebody's feeling fabulous tonight!" said Nick as he greeted Ian with a huge hug.

"She's here!" was all Ian could manage. "Over there with the big guy in the leather bike jacket. Apparently, he does actually ride, so it's not a tragic fashion statement."

"OK. How does he seem? And have you spoken to Sam about the Cabaret yet?"

"He seems OK. Sam is clearly besotted with him and no, I was going to wait for her to have a few more drinks before broaching the subject."

"Smart move. I think I'll go and introduce myself and test the boyfriend a little."

Ian started to object, but Nick had moved through the crowd and was gone before he could find anything to say. He would just have to trust his friend on this one. Ian shrugged it off and went back to being the genial host.

"Hi! I'm Nick, a long-time friend of Ian's. You must be Sam. He's told me so much about you." Nick stood directly in front of Sam smiling at her and not even glancing towards the boyfriend.

"Oh. Hi! Yes, I'm Sam and this is Will." smiled Sam as she introduced her boyfriend. Nick give a polite nod in his direction and reverted all his focus back on to Sam. Leaning in closer he gently picked up her necklace from her chest and rolled it through his fingers.

"This neckless is beautiful," he said with wide eyes and a seductive tone to his voice. "It goes with this dress so well and your hair is just amazing!" Nick let go of the neckless and moved his hand up to Sam's head to stroke her hair. Sam's smile beamed back at him. Clearly, she was not phased by the attention. Or that one of Ians' friends would be this handsy after just meeting. Nick was keeping an eye on how Will reacted to his actions. Will looked a little uncomfortable, but Nick felt he was looking to Sam for guidance - Nick figured that his circle of friends was not as diverse as the LGBTQ+ community. He really looked torn between stepping in to defend his love and not wanting to ruin a party for one of Sam's oldest friends.

"Is that real silk?" Nick was now feeling the material of Sam's dress and had a hungry look in his eyes.

"It's a silk blend, I can't afford pure silk, well, not yet anyway!" joked Sam.

"You must tell me where you got it. I'd love to feel that material against my skin..."

"Sure! I'll send you the details. I'm guessing I can find you in Ian's profile?"

"Absolutely! Now I must go and see if Ian needs any help with arrangements. Oh. Your glass is empty, let me get you another glass of fizz."

And with that Nick was gone.

"Wow! Are you OK?" Will looked worried as he faced Sam.

"Of course! You'll get used to Ian and his friends. They might be a bit forward but they have big hearts"

Nick returned to the bar, picked up two glasses and collected the bottle of champagne he had placed with the bar staff for just his use. He popped the cork and poured the fine-looking wine. Returning to Sam and Will, he barely stopped moving to hand them their drinks as he swooshed on past apparently intent on greeting someone on the other side of the room. In fact, he circled back to the bar where Ian was still holding court and nudged his friend, signalling he needed to talk privately. They moved to an empty both along the wall.

"The boyfriend is a bit twitchy, but Sam is a sweetheart. I've given them some of the good Champagne I brought, so give it a while and then go and have a chat with Sam. I'll get one of the girls to distract the boyfriend."

The room began to fill with partygoers and the noise levels rose. Sam, with Will in tow, met up with old friends and caught up on families, jobs and general gossip. The Champagne was going down well and she felt a lovely warm glow inside and was feeling very, very happy. As if reading her mind, Nick appeared behind her with another two glasses of Champagne for her and Will.

"Thirsty? It is getting warm in here!" Nick said as he offered the glass to Sam. "Will isn't it? Can I take your jacket for you?"

"No, it's Ok. It's a really expensive jacket and I don't want anything to happen to it."

"Oh, it's fine here. Look. Come with me and I'll show you where it will be kept.."

Will didn't get any chance to discuss it as Nick took his arm and led him firmly over to the cloakrooms. Ian had been watching this little scene and moved over to Sam.

"Sam! My lovely! I'm sorry I haven't seen you since you arrived!" Ian gave Sam a huge hug and kissed her on both cheeks.

"It's fine! You idiot, this is a great party and seeing all our old friends again has been a blast! And look at you! You look incredible, considering your age!"

"Thanks! Not so bad yourself, darling!" Ian paused and the smile turned into a more serious look. Picking up on the change in mood, Sam said;

"Is everything OK? You look serious all of a sudden..."

"Oh, it's just I've been let down at the last minute. Andrew and I had planned a little routine to go with the Cabaret tonight." Sam looked amazed.

"Yes, we've got a drag queen coming in to do a set just for little old me! But the routine we have planned relies on someone being in my dress with me..."

Sam smiled as the penny dropped. Maybe it was Ians' forlorn look, maybe it was the wine or maybe it was just that she was having the best evening she'd had in a very long time, but she knew what he wanted;

"I see. You'd like us to re-live old times, would you?"

Ians' face lit up as he saw Sam smiling back at him. "YESS!! Will you do it? Oh My God - this would just make my life perfect!"

"Well. I'm saying yes. There's no guarantee I'm going to fit into whatever dress you've got."

"It'll be fine. You're about the same size as the girl who was going to do it and the fabric is deliberately stretchy so we can move around in it."

"Oh, that's a point. What exactly are we going to be doing in this dress?"

"You'll see! Nothing terrible, I promise. Unless you want to do something terrible...." Sam grinned back at her friend;

"You, are terrible! So when do you need my body?"

"In a while. I'll come and find you and Nick will be helping to get us ready. He's promised to look after your stuff for you."

"I'll bet he has. Not sure I will get this dress back. the way he was ogling it."

"True. See you in a bit sweetie. And thanks a million for doing this..."

Sam went and rescued Will from the gaggle of women surrounding him and told him that she was going to be helping out with the cabaret later. She didn't go into details - what he didn't know couldn't hurt him or more importantly Ian.