Melanie was the first to get off the bus and went to greet the PA with whom she had been dealing. In a change from their normal practise, the driver would not be parking up and coming to assist with the party but would instead drive the minibus away from the property and come back to collect Melanie and her co-workers once the party was over. A separate team would then arrive to dismantle the equipment, take away any waste and generally make it look as if they had never been there. Melanie had already spent the morning there helping to get set up so knew more or less what to expect in the garden, although the guests had not yet arrived when she had left to collect her cast-members. The families in attendance, she had been warned, would be actors, politicians, prominent businessmen and other members of what is generally considered “The Elite”, even, it was hinted, royalty. People who in many cases had a vested interest in keeping their children out of the public eye. She and the other members of her team had signed incredibly strict NDAs which forbid them from ever talking about who they had seen there.

There were also to be no photographs taken for business or personal use by anyone connected with her company and she had been warned that asking for autographs or trying to talk to any of the guests about anything that did not pertain to the party or potential future bookings was strictly forbidden and could result in the entire payment for the party being cancelled. There had been, however, no embargo upon the taking of pictures of the cast members back at the headquarters so Melanie had made sure to document their impressive costumes for the portfolio.

Despite these dire warnings, however, the PA whose name was Julie was actually very pleasant, personable and easy to deal with. A down-to-earth service worker who rolled her eyes at the demands of the great and the good as much as any cashier or runner, even if it was her job to ensure that they were implemented. Melanie picked up her top-hat off the passenger seat and positioned it on her head then went over to greet Julie. The cast-members watched excitedly from inside the vehicle as the two women chatted and enjoyed a brief catch-up, with Julie bringing Melanie up to speed about the number of guests who had arrived and how many were still expected and finalising what they would like the cast-members to do until it was time to begin the performances. Finally, Melanie led Julie over to the bus and slide the side-door open, inviting the girls to get out and show themselves off.

As the closest to the door, Gemma was the first to get off. She gave a polite little curtsey in character then held out her hand to Julie.

“A pleasure to meet you.” The pretty blonde greeted her in her best Young Victorian Lady voice. “My name is Alice.”

“Well, Alice,” Julie grinned, “the pleasure is all mine! And I must say,” she exclaimed as she looked at Gemma beautiful mane of golden curls, held back from her face with something that Julie remembered with amusement was known as an Alice band and realising in that instant the derivation of the name, never having connected the dots before, “you look even prettier in person than in your photographs!”

“Why, thank you!” Gemma smiled proudly and gave another light curtsey. “I trust what is under my dress will not disappoint either.” Of course Julie and her clients had been sent pictures of all the cast members naked, before any alterations were made to their skin or hair, to show off their lovely meat, as well as more casual, relaxed pictures in various costumes and prototype versions of what they were all now wearing.

“I’m sure it won’t!” Julie assured her. “And I’m sure your meat will be more than delicious!”

“Let us hope, then, that I do not accidentally drink from an unhelpful bottle, or nibble on the wrong piece of mushroom and get shrunk down to the size of a mouse!” Gemma exclaimed, keeping up her character portrayal perfectly. “I should be so sad to think of people going home hungry because of my foolishness!”

“Well yes, let’s hope!” Julie chuckled. “Maybe best to stay away from any food or drink that you’re not directly given!” Of course she knew as well as anyone that the cast-members, given their status as food, would not be able to eat anything at the party and would only be permitted the minutest sips of water, carefully regulated by Melanie, but it was fun to play along with the conceit, especially as the young actress turned meat-girl seemed so happy and confident in character.


To be continued...