I planned a Great Gatsby themed party at my house because I thought it would be a fun and exciting event for me and my friends, but I had a rude awakening at the end of the night when somebody shot me in my pool.
I mean, seriously?! Uncool.
My friend, Denise, thought that she was being “festive” and “on-theme” when she pulled the trigger on me, which I guess is true, but I thought it was pretty clear when I planned the party that I wasn’t really going for an “accurate to the events of the story” vibe.
While I did say that people had to dress up to attend, I didn’t say anything about anyone bringing props, specifically weapons, to the party. Now, after almost bleeding out in my own pool, I realize that maybe I should’ve made myself a little clearer.
The main thing that I feared going into the party was that people wouldn’t dress up or care about the theme enough, but boy, was I wrong. Too wrong.
I guess I should’ve been worried about more dangerous and potentially life-threatening things, like my friend shooting me in my pool because it was “on-brand” for the night.
When I ended up in the hospital after the attempted murder, I expected Denise to turn up and at least say that she was sorry, but I heard from our other friends that she didn’t want to because that wouldn’t be “true to the story” with what happened between Gatsby and George in the book.
At this point, I really wished I’d picked a different theme.
Denise wasn’t even the only one who caused Gatsby-related drama that night. I also heard that two of the people I invited started having an affair, and another attendee got hit by a car that someone else I invited was driving.
All things considered, I guess my party-planning skills are just way too powerful. I’ll probably never plan another party again, unless the theme is a novel with no murder and/or manslaughter in it. Maybe Grapes of Wrath!
