I had spent a lot of time imagining what the Christmas costume ball was going to be like, not really having a frame of reference. As we were setting up and the whole thing was still coming together, it was hard to foresee what others were going to think. I’d gone from no small expense to put the whole thing on. I thought Krystal had been right, but there was no way to know for sure until the doors opened.
The ball was by invitation, the high-quality, customized, hand-signed cards were part of the expense. I wanted to really stand out among all the other events going on during the season, spurring the rich and successful of the town to come and check it out from sheer curiosity if nothing else.
Not that they were the only ones I’d invited. Reaching out beyond the limits of our town, I also sent invitations to some of the most successful restaurateurs and store managers in nearby cities, people in charge of places people have actually heard of. I wasn’t expecting national attention, at least not right away, but it was a good start if even half of them showed up.
I felt a bit silly in the sexy Santa suit but couldn’t deny that Krystal had made me look wonderful. I didn’t look as good as Emma did in her princess gown, but that was never going to happen. Santa was pretty goofy to start with and to do a rendition of his iconic look that wasn’t immediately laughable was quite an achievement indeed. I hadn’t seen Clarence dressed up as an angel yet but was particularly looking forward to it because our parents had literally gotten the name from It’s A Wonderful Life.
The laughs could be heard from all the way upstairs. That was a good sign. Putting on my red hat but leaving off the fake beard so everyone could recognize me, I headed down to face the music.
“Fairytale of New York” was playing happily away as I entered as I entered the well-lit room. The place was packed. Nearly everyone I’d invited was squeezed into the very crowded room, seeming to have a whale of a time even without any chairs. We hadn’t planned on standing room only but, as with most of the best things in life, it had evolved naturally.
“Quite the turn-out, hey?” Angel Clarence asked, appearing at my shoulder like a one-sided moral argument.
“I’ll say. This is great.”
“Krystal is quite the genius,” he agreed, handing me a print out.
“What’s this?” I asked, taking the paper.
“A list of anyone who said they couldn’t come.”
“This is it?” I marveled, looking at the five names on the page. Five out of eighty-seven.
“Make the most of it,” he said, patting me on the shoulder.
I barely had time to recover from the surprise when I saw Sebastian coming in my general direction.
“Checkout this turnout,” he said rhetorically. “Should bring in lots of bids.”
“Is there still going to be room?” I asked.
“Oh sure, there’s still a huge space over by the fireplace. I’ve got a portable podium and gavel I can set up with no problem. Stages are more traditional of course, but as the success of the party shows, tradition isn’t always the best way to go.”
“Indeed,” I agreed, still a little dazed.
“You’re Jayden right?” a voice interrupts.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Sebastian said, casually retreating as an elegant woman came my way.
“Mr. Clavis?” she said.
“Yes, Jayden Clavis. There’s Clarence as well.”
“You’re the one I talk to about making an order, though, right?”
“Yes, yes, I am, and you are?”
“Zora Peet,” she said, holding out a business card between the first two fingers of a well-manicured hand. “I’m regional manager of the Grapevine chain of wine stores. I am very interested in stocking some of your lovely varieties. Give me a call on Monday, and we can iron out the details.”
Before I could even respond she had disappeared back into the crowd, like a ghost in the fog. The card was the only proof she had been there at all.
Zora Peet may have been the first to approach, but she was far from the last. In the first couple of hours after I went down to the party in my Santa suit, the fur lined pockets came to be bulging with business cards for restaurants, bars, pubs, wine retailers, and even a couple of grocery stores as far afield as Seattle. The opportunity to go regional, the first necessary step before going national, felt very near. Dressing as Santa had definitely given me an advantage. It made me stand out not only among other winemakers but also everyone else at the party, even to the people who didn’t know my face. It had made me instantly recognizable like I’d hoped our logo, two Viking swords crossed behind a bunch of grapes, would do for our wine.