Allie Monologue

Dressing for the masquerade ball, Allie took care not to overdress, foregoing a chemise and stockings. The oppressive heat was stifling; she did not want to fall faint and embarrass herself. It already being this hot and humid in late June, Allie hated to think what the next several months of summer would bring. Although the emerald green and indigo-blue gown she made for the occasion is of a lightweight, batiste fabric, it was still so hot that one perspired heavily upon going outdoors. Even with the cooler sea breezes, it was too hot to sit on the balcony unless it was early morning, late evening, or night time… The lamplights from anchored ships that swayed gently with the tide, calmed Allie of evenings as she sat out there watching, waiting

for Thomas to return.
At that moment, Allie wished she were home where she could open the balcony doors to the breezes as she dressed; she had become accustomed to doing so of late, however, she was not at home. Her room at her grandparent’s home was too dark and stagnant- she felt repressed being there.
Braiding her thick locks, Allie twisted them into a large crowned bun that would be cooler, yet extenuate her features so that the peacock feathered mask would draw most of the attention.

Deciding to make her mask that of a peacock was mostly due to Allie’s love of the color green; however, once she acquired the peacock feathers and saw the beautiful blue eyes/spots on the feathers, she decided to go all out and make her costume that of a peacock. The body of her gown was blue- from the knees down, it was emerald green with pale green ringed blue spots sewn on. The mask was a black satin as were her slippers. The mask had peacock feather tips arranged around the eye sockets and four taller ones going upward from the bridge of the nose to mimic a peacock’s crown; Allie hoped she would be able to wear it until the revelation at the end of the

party.
When Allie went downstairs to meet with Eli and her grandparents to leave for the ball, Eli stepped back to get a better look at her. “Why is it you look like a peacock and I look like a peahen? My goodness, you’re beautiful, Allie Mae- you’ll be the belle of the ball in that costume!”
“Yes, I agree with Eli,” said her grandfather. “You’re absolutely stunning!”
Blushing under such ---- compliments, Allie continued down the stairs and into the parlor; Eli asked if she would like a little brandy before they left- Allie nodded and then inquired about her grandmother’s whereabouts.
“She’ll be down in a moment- your grandma is always the last to come down when she dreads going out- this heat is absolutely horrible; I don’t know that she can stand it, especially with what she’s wearing.”
“I hope she is not wearing that woolen contraption she wore last year- it’s way too hot for that,” said Eli.
“I’ll go back up and check on her,” Allie told them and taking a quick gulp of the brandy Eli had poured for her.
When she reached her grandmother’s room Allie tapped lightly on the door. “Grandmother, it’s me, Allie. May I come in?” Allie opened the door to find her grandmother standing in front of the mirror wearing only her undergarments.
“I don’t know that I can wear this darned corset in this heat- but I’ve never gone out in public in my life without one!”
Looking from her grandmother’s disheartened face to the hoops and ball gown hanging near the mirror and then back to her grandmother, Allie stepped inside and closed the door.
Examining Allie‘s costume with her eyes, she said, “You’re young, Allie- you can change how you dress and no one questions it or causes you embarrassment- if I go without a corset, women around this town would never let me face it down… they wouldn’t!”
“You cannot let those old- them biddies control what you want, Grandmother- I have an idea,” said Allie, “it won’t take long at all to alter your costume. We will just have to be a few minutes late, that is all.”
After running to her room and grabbing the gown she made for the May Day ball, Allie returned and set to designing her grandmother a costume.

Taking the top part of her grandmother’s gown, she cut loose the heavy bottom and quickly replaced it with material gained from her gown. She talked her grandmother into just being patient and going along with what she was doing until she saw the finished product. Foregoing all undergarments except her drawers, Allie dressed her. Searching through her grandmother’s assortment of corsets, she picked the prettiest one and loosely laced it over her quickly made gown. A feathered hat, mask, and laced booties completed the

outfit.
“Okay, Grandmother, how does this outfit feel- is it comfortable?”
Taking a deep breath, her grandmother replied. “Yes, yes it’s very comfortable- I can breathe easily and I don’t feel smothered, but I could never wear this out in public.”
“Why not? It is a masquerade party, right. Does that not mean that you are supposed to hide your identity- be someone besides yourself? Look in the mirror, Grandmother, I think you look fabulous, and I would not know it was you if I met you there!”
When she stepped in front of the mirror, Clara Christopher Harris almost swooned! She was so taken aback that she had to reach out to Allie for sup