Tell me your secret

I'll do it, just give me a sec... Okay, I'll take male employee number whatever

Name: Norman Jones
Age: 28
Occupation: mechanic
Appearace: 6', muscular, short brown hair, dark eyes, tanned
Personality: Surly, not one for conversation. A bit intimidated by Richard and some of his guests who seem pretty high-class. Enjoys working with his hands.
History: Norman's always lived in this city. He was pretty sure he was going to go into something involving manual labor when he was young, and he did.
Strengths/Weaknesses: Social interaction isn't his strong suit, isn't very good with words. He's dependable though, and competent.
Other: It may be difficult to engage him in conversation, but it can be done

Okay, I'm tired of waiting so we are going to start. If anyone wants to take the two remaining male guests (I think there are two at least..) feel free.

Richard Parker

The evening was shaping up splendidly. The non-essential workers had gone home, while the ones under consideration remained with tasks assigned to them. The guests would be arriving shortly.

Richard smiled and leaned back in the big armchair in his study as he contemplated the events to come. Everything was going to go over just as he planned.

A maid walked into the room and interrupted Richard's thoughts.

"Mister Parker, sir." she said. "Your guests are arriving."

"Thank you." Richard said. He rose from his chair and followed her out of the room. Yes, tonight would go just as he had planned.

Rafael Durante-

He waited by the front door, searching for any guests that might arrive early. He had been assigned the job by Parker himself, though he didn't know why he was specifically chosen. Most of the other staff had left for home, though a few remained. From what he could gather, the guest list was not very selective. It almost seemed random, ranging from waitresses to politicians and journalists, and just about everything in between.

He didn't question why.

He nervously picked at the tie around his neck. This was the first formal party he had actually been involved in. He couldn't mess this up too badly; he just had to follow what the others would do, right?

Brown eyes perked up as they caught a figure headed up to the entrance. The first guest had arrived.

Miles Herring

A short, bony man strolled up the drive, eyes bugging a little. "Look at the size of this place," he whispered to himself. What on earth did this Richard Parker guy have to do with him?

Miles approached the front door. "Hey, I've never been to a party with a guy at the door to show you in," he said with a smile. "Any idea what this little gathering's about?"

Raphael shifted his weight. "No idea. Mr. Parker didn't tell us." He checked the guest list. "What's your name?"

"Miles Herring." He grinned. "You might've seen me in the news, if you've ever been to the little town of Podunk. It's in Massachutsets, if you'd believe that."

Raphael smiled slightly as he marked Miles's name off the guest list. "Yeah? Why are you in the news?"

"I'm a weatherman. Strictly local, though." He chuckled. "Pretty impressive, huh?"

Raphael gave him a funny look. "Uh, yeah. This way Mr. Herring."

"Nah, you can call me Miles." He stepped into the house and glanced around for their host.

Norman Jones

The big man stood sullenly by the coat rack. He was a mechanic, for crying out loud. Richard had people to do jobs like this, but he'd sent them all home.

Norman stood up a little straighter as the first guest came through the door, a bony little man with overly large eyes. "Can I take your coat?" he grunted.

"Oh, thanks. Yeah, here." Miles slid out of his coat and handed it to Norman. "Weird weather we're having. This storm wasn't supposed to blow in until next week."

The mechanic grunted agan and hung up the weahterman's coat. In his opinion it wasn't just the weather that was weird around here. He spared Richard a dark glance.

Nicole Stone

Nicole strode into the elegant dining room of Parker Manor with a mission. Although, not a mission she would have preferred.

"Cecilia." she beckoned the chef preparing the evenings meal. "Mr. Parker wished for me to tell you to begin preparing the meal. The guests are arriving and he would like to be eating within the hour."

"Yes Ms. Stone." Cecelia said. "Oh, and you wouldn't happen to know anything about Mr. Parker's party tonight would you?"

"All I know is Mr. Parker invited a specially selected group of people to enjoy a fine dinner at his home." Nicole stated.

Nicole turned to leave but Cecelia grabbed her shoulder. "Ms. Stone," she said, "I'm not even Mr. Parkers favorite chef."

"Maybe he is finally giving you a chance to prove yourself." Nicole said. She didn't wait for a response but turned and left the room.

As she walked down the hallway towards the front entrance to the house, Nicole contemplated the guest list. There had truely been no rhyme or reason to those invited, it was and extraordinarily odd act for Richard. Nicole had little time to think about it much though, she soon found herself in her next job.

A man stood at the front door and was gawking at the entryway. "Good evening," I said to him, "and welcome to Parker Manor."

Her dress

Stella Thomas

I waited by the kitchen, the waiters and other employers rushing through me, with plates with deliciously looking food.
I squeezed my hands. I was normally nervous before shows, but Ms.Stone had told me when she wired me to watch it because it was a very important dinner. I was requested to play classical musical, a gender which I had some familiarity with. Ms.Stone was the owner's assistant, by what I understood. I didn't even know the owner's name, the host of this gathering.
Suddenly, the confusion got bigger, and that was the time I knew the guest had started to arrive. Soon, I would be asked to sit by the black gran piano. I couldn't help but smile, when I remembered my rehearsal a few hours ago. That piano was one of the best; a truly beautiful piece. I arranged my dress and waited. I could only think "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!"
The nerves would all be replaced by my serene feelings and expressions when I sat at the piano. It would all be worth it.

Miles Herring

"Parker Manor?" Miles let out a low whistle. "This place is fancier than I thought." He smiled at the woman sheepishly. "You must think I'm pretty low-class, saying stuff like that."

She looked slightly amused. "I wouldn't necessarily say that, Mr...?"

"Herring, but you can call me Miles." He grinned. "You wouldn't happen to know what this gathering's about, would you?"

She shook her head. "Sorry, I can't help you there. Mr. Parker has his reasons I'm sure."

"Huh." Miles squinted up at the chandelier. "See, I'm a little curious why some rich guy who doesn't even know me'd bother inviting a weatherman to a big shindig like this." He looked back at Ms. Stone. "Sorry, I've forgotten my manners. What's your name, anyways?"

Nicole Stone

"You may call me Ms. Stone. I am Mr. Parkers personal assistant." Nicole introduced.

Miles seemed impressed, though he really shouldn't have been. "And you don't even know what this is all about?"

Nicole shook her head. "Mr. Parker does not share much with his employees."

Miles nodded and glanced around the room again. This man was surely too impressed with the manor.

"You may continue to the end of that hallway and turn left into the dining room. The pianest will be begining shortly for the entertainment of the guests." Nicole pointed in the appropriate directions as she spoke.

"Thanks Ms. Stone." Miles smiled and started down the hall.

Once he was out of sight Nicole sighed. "I hate my job." she mumbled. Unfortunatly, Nicole only had a few moments to be unhappy. More guests were arriving through the door that Rafael held open and were handing coats to Norman. Richard was really giving the oddest jobs to the oddest employees.

Richard Parker

Richard meandered down the hall, past the front door where guests were entering, and into the dining room. A beautiful, and rather nervous looking, pianist stood against a wall.

"Ms. Thomas, is it?" Richard said as he approached her.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Parker."

Richard returned a charming smile. "I do believe you have had time to practice on my piano?"

The pianists smile widened. "Yes, sir. It is magnificant."

"It is, it is." Richard said. "Well, you may begin playing shortly. And do feel free to enjoy a meal after the party. I'm sure you will have deserved it."

"Oh thank you, Mr. Parker." she said.

Richard turned away and waited to greet the rest of his guests. He hoped they would all be confused as to why they were invited, and maybe even fearful for the outcome of the evening.

Stella Thomas

Wow. Mr.Parker...I think I've heard that before. I was glad I would be able to play shortly, the nervous were eating me alive. How much had that piano cost? I wondered. I could only a ford a normal piano, even thought my favorites were the grand ones. I didn't even had space for it, in my small apartment.
The man seemed nice, he even offered me to dinner afterwards. I had eaten a sandwich, before I got ready. I didn't want to ruin my gown, after all.
"Hum, do you know how many guests are to dinner?" I asked the nearer person.

Mary-Ella

Mary-Ella walked in with the person who had checked her off the list. The house was beautiful of coure, still it was overdone. It was, for her, too big and too grand. Still she plastered on a fake smile that no one could see through. This was just another boring day in her life.

"Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to know why we were invited here?" She asked the woman in a blue gown. She had seen her by the piano. Interesting.

"For dinner, though I think you know that much," she smiled a little. "I know nothing else."

She nodded. "I'm Mary-Ella," she smiled extending her hand. "I go by Ella though."

The woman looked a little suspicious. "I'm Stella. Hum, do you know how many guests are to dinner?"

Ella shrugged a little. "Beats me. Sorry."

**Hope that's okay, Kat. (:**

*No problem, Nicole *

Stella Thomas

Stella smiled at the nearly found person -- Mary-Ella -- and squished her hands once more. The nervous were eating her alive, drawing a whole in her stomach. She bit her lip.
"Are you guest?" She asked.
"Yes, I am," the girl acknowledged.
Stella recalled manners; after all she was just an employee. "I'm sorry, ma'am, for disturbing you. I shall return to my place." She hated that. She wasn't the kind of person to bow before another, or to be so polite. Stella returned to the kitchen entry's, where someone told her to start playing, with a worried and occupied expression. Everyone was driving crazy. Even thought Mr Parker appeared so nice, there were rumours that if someone did a minor screw up, their job would be out the window.
Stella traced the piano with the tip of her fingers until she finally reached the seat. Stella sat, elegantly, arranging her gown once more, and her fingers slipped through the key-board whils he closed her eyes, and the melody filled the room's air.

Sorry I'm so late coming in. I just now thought of a way to bring myself in

Maia Baker-

I arrived at the party a little later than I was told to, but I didn't pay any mind to it. Being fashionably late was never an issue, especially to me. All the workers were very warm and inviting, although I had a feeling it was only a facade. When I walked in, my ears were welcomed by the sound of a tranquil melody, coming from a piano in another room.

I headed in and saw mostly all of the guests either standing around talking or seated and waiting for dinner. I sat down and was soon accompanied by a friendly looking person.

---

Anyone can come in there

Richard Parker

Richard made his way to the head of the table and stood behind his chair. All the guests were seated, or near their seats. Excellent, everyone had come.

"Welcome," he announced over the noise of chatter. "I am so very glad everyone could join me for dinner tonight. I hope you will enjoy the meal prepared for you tonight."

Richard gestured for servers to begin bringing in the food. A lanky man placed a plate at Richard's place. The man had a nervous look about him. Richard eyed him suspiciously, until he had a brilliant idea.

"My devoted employee," he said quietly to the man. "Why don't you enjoy this plate. I will take a different one from the tray."

The man's face drained of all color. Yes, he had been found out. "Y-yes, s-sir." he said. Richard watched the man scury back to the kitchen. He would take care of that man later, no one got away with attempting to poison Richard Parker.

-----------
Note: Anyone can incorperate employees not controlled by others in their posts. That way there can be some 'coincidental deaths' to help lead people to believe Richard is after everyone. The real fun will start after dinner, once everyone is snowed in

Miles frowned as the nervous waiter slipped back into the kitchen. What the heck was going on?

"It's, uh, really kind of you to invite us into your home Mr. Parker." Especially as I have no freaking clue who you are. He glanced over at the pianist with a smile. She's a little too good. I'm really curious now; why would a rich guy like Parker pull out all the stops for a party he invites total strangers to?

He peered around the room at the other people in attendance. He chiefly noticed an underdressed blonde who couldn't have hit twenty yet and a dark woman with amazingly bright blue-green eyes and an amazingly fake smile. These people don't really look happy to be here, he noted, glancing at the surly coat check guy who'd just slipped in through the door.

"I'm curious, is there a reason you invited all of us here tonight?" Miles asked quizzically.

**Just a warning, I'll be unable to post Wedesday through Sunday.**

Mary Ella

Her cheeks began to hurt from smiling at people. Though normally no one could see through her smile, she could tell her barrier was wearing down. Why had she even came?

"I'm curious, is there a real reason you invited us all here?" A man asked. Ella rolled her eyes a little. Obviously not. She just wanted to go home.

Mr. Parker smiled at him, a little vaguely. Obvious he wasn't giving up his secret just yet.