“A play party is one that encourages sexual or polyamorous activities,” Marsha Russo read to me from a blog she had discovered on the Internet.
“Define polyamorous.”
“Non-monogamous. The play party phenomenon appears to have begun in the East. And it’s not just restricted to normal sexual behavior, it’s also big in the BDSM community.”
“BDSM?”
“A composite acronym. B for bondage, DS for dominance and submission, and SM for sado-masochism.”
“Who goes to these parties?”
“They seem to cut a wide swath. At least according to what I read on the Internet. Swingers. Group sex aficionados. Recreational sex advocates. People who experiment with their sexual expression.”
“Where do I sign up?”
“You know something, Buddy? I wish you were half as funny as you think you are.”
I flashed her my goofiest smile.
“Shall we get on with this or do you want to just roll around in your adolescent mire?”
“Adolescent?”
“Is it at all possible for you to treat this subject with at least a small measure of maturity?”
“Who, me?”
She glared at me. We were in her tiny cubicle, she in front of an Apple desktop, me seated behind her, trying to look over her shoulder but not really able to make out the small print showing on the screen. “So, how does it work?” I prodded.
“Well, there’s no saying how it worked with Hank Carson and the swim team, but generally speaking, the Internet explains that a play party is an invitation-only event, involving numbers of people and multiple partners. Nudity is almost always involved. Permission to play is a must. Proper hygiene and safe sex are de rigueur. Participation is voluntary and involves all kinds of sexual activity. Those invitees who would prefer to simply watch from the sidelines are encouraged to do so, as long as they don’t interfere with the actual players. No unwelcome touching of a player is permitted, but masturbation is encouraged. What else do you want to know?”
“How widespread is it?”
“You mean the play party phenomenon?”
“Yes.”
“It’s worldwide.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s all over the ’Net.”
“You mean people have these kind of parties everywhere?”
“Young and old. Straight and gay. Dominant and submissive. Everywhere.”
“I find it hard to believe.”
“Well, you better start believing, Mr. Smarty Pants Deputy Sheriff, because it looks like it’s going on right here in Freedom High School, of all places. Directly under your ignorant nose.”