You pay for the costume and check the time. Your shopping has taken longer than expected and might as well head straight to the party.
Gina's house proves to be as grand as you'd heard. Dozens of people are already there in all sorts of costumes. You find Amy and Jessica who are dressed as a witch and a catwoman.
"Where's your costume?" asks Amy. "All you've got is blue hair."
"I'm going to change into it soon" you explain "after I find out where the pool is."
"It's this way" says Jessica, leading you and Amy through the house and out back.
The pool is huge, but currently unoccupied, as is a hot tub nearby that looks like it could fit at least eight people comfortably. The pool deck has plenty of chairs for you to lounge on. A bar at one end is open and the three girls decide to get some drinks. One drink turns into two as more people continue to arrive. You remember you still need to change into your costume and excuse yourself to find the bathroom that opens onto the pool deck.
Locking the doors, you get your costume out and strip off all your clothes. Sitting on the toilet seat lid, you slide your legs into the mermaid costume tail. Is it tighter than when you tried it on at the store? You work your legs down to the end and get the costume snugly around your waist. You slip your feet into the tailfin. Your legs are pressed tightly together but its a comfortable feeling. You consider the seashell bra, but - and maybe it's just the two pina coladas talking - but you decide to forgo it. You stuff your clothes into your bag.
Now you face another challenge: getting around with essentially no legs. You manage to shuffle and hop to the door that opens onto the pool deck and open it. You spot Amy and Jessica and wave them over.
"Great costume!" says Jessica.
"Thanks, but it's almost impossible to walk in. Can you to help me to one of the chairs?"
Each friend takes an arm and helps you make your way over to poolside. You drop off your bag at one of the chairs, but have second thoughts about just laying around in your tail. The water seems so inviting...