A return to the ’80s
I was tricked into my first visit to the Suffield Senior Center.
My wife wanted to go an 1980s-themed murder mystery dinner with friends. I love games. I love dinner. And, the ’80s were my decade. I’m in!
She didn’t tell me where it was being held. I am technically old enough for the AARP, but I still thought there was a little more time before I started hanging out at the senior center.
The whole evening was the brainchild of our longtime friend and fellow Suffieldian, Tracey. She’s the kind of person who not only seems to be on the cutting edge of whatever’s interesting or fun, she knows how to spot an opportunity. She scoped the scene, and the Suffield Parks and Recreation event checked all the right boxes. Satisfaction was guaranteed.
So, for the first time in 38 years, I squeezed into a pair of authentic acid wash jeans and denim jacket. My wife effortlessly dressed the part of a totally tubular Valley Girl to the max. We were ready to return to the ’80s and solve a murder.
Walking into the senior center, I flashbacked to all the dances held in the cafeteria. Eighties music was playing at a more appropriate volume than back in the day. The room was decorated in prototypical ’80s style (kudos to the decorators) and just like high school, everyone was drifting to the tables belonging to their own respective cliques.
We were all making small talk when some folks were quietly asked to step away. Minutes later, they were reintroduced as characters of the murder plot. We were instructed to approach them, ask questions and get an idea of the connections and conflicts. The murder victim is chosen and then the game is afoot! Suspects are interviewed, information is collated and, little by little, facts are revealed. As the investigation proceeds, a delicious three-course dinner was served. As the circumstances and motives become clear, the moment of truth arrives and attendees are asked to decide who is guilty. One by one, the characters tell all, with the last one confessing to the crime (I still believe Carson was taking the fall for his paramour, Jamie the DJ, but what’s done is done.)
I have to admit, the whole evening was fun.
Back in the ’80s, I was the cynical kid who thought everything that everybody did for everybody else was so lame. My friends practically had to drag me to those dances and even the prom. In retrospect, it was fear that fueled my cynicism – fear of embarrassment or having a terrible time. Honestly, not much has changed. When it comes to some of the things to do in town, whether it’s murder mysteries, plays, concerts or fairs, I still need friends to push me out of the house to have some fun. And, I’m glad they do.
So, it wasn’t so much as I was tricked into going to Suffield Senior Center as I was lured there and will probably be lured for another event.
This is probably the way my kids are going to get me into a nursing home.