“Why are you here? Who sent you?” The guard shakes me vigorously almost a hint of desperation in the demanding voice.

“That information is classified.” I say in my snottiest tone.

“Mr. Amman Dyer’s guest list only has those of extreme wealth on it. How could a penniless thief manage to get on it?”

I pointedly look down at my dark wine dress easily over three hundred dollars and the gold gauntlets adorning my wrists. “I don’t think you’re asking the right questions. I believe it should be, how did a penniless thief like myself manage to pay for all this?” I wave my hands at my attire.

“You still have not answered my question that. How did you get on Mr. Amman Dyer’s guest list?”

“That was actually very simple. I only needed to go to Clarence Lake bribe her to send her ‘niece,’ Marian Lake, in her place. The invitation previously written out to Clarence was now addressed to Marian which was how I got through the front doors of this fabulous gala.” I conclude tilting my champagne flute towards him.

As he processes this I see his expression morph from confusion to understanding. My last statement slowly dawning on him. “So how did you get all that money? A bribe involves money and you don’t have that.” He says uncertainty, the question, do you? hangs in the are waiting to be answered.

I don’t grab it. Dancing around it is so much more entertaining. Instead I grin, step away, and join the dancing couples.

Without a partner I stand out as I elegantly move to the music flowing around the room. Eyes are drawn to me and I flash a grin at no one in particular.

How I came into all that money is a good question. And as the music slowly begins to wrap up I consider the perfect answer.

A nameless nobody paid me a great deal of money which all went to this elaborate plot. The bribe, the costume, the bomb.

The music’s last notes fill the air.

Three.

Two.

I bow.

Boom.