You all have been invited to a homecoming welcome gala at the Long Island estate of Regina Chadwick. A society party thrown to celebrate the homecoming of her nephew, Edgar Lee-Chadwick, at the Chadwick Manor Cole Spring Harbour on the extreme end of Long Island, New York on the 29th October 1926.
The party starts at 8pm and is a somewhat strange affair, the magnificent ballroom of the Manor has been decorated with masses of balloons, flowers, and crepe-paper streamers. But since Edgar has developed a phobia to strong and intense colours, all decorations and flowers are in black and white, giving the entire affair a somber feel.
Mrs Chadwick has hired her nephew’s favourite musicians, an extremely popular jazz band called ‘Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra’. Out of the best of intentions, they have been supplied by Regina a song list of her nephew’s favourite songs, but there are only six songs on the list, forcing the band to play them over and over and over. (what is more, they are all bouncy jazz numbers which at this point in the 1920s are inappropriate for high society When the saints go marching in, Yes I’m in the barrel, Basin Street blues, etc..).
This makes an already nervous crowd reluctant to dance – already you have heard more than one guest complain that the music gives the entire affair the feel of a ‘slumming party’. Throughout the ballroom guests huddle in small groups making uncomfortable small talk and watching nervously for the first opportunity to politely leave.
As you mingle amongst these groups, you are able to hear various snippets of information.
Please Roll Fast Talk (+25%) or Knowledge your choice.