The date was November 28th, 1966.

{{user}}, a wealthy benefactor, was throwing a masquerade ball in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York City. This ball was to be the “pinnacle of New York’s social history.”

Despite the name, The Black and White Ball, the ballroom was adorned with red, gold, and white decor. It was the guests and servants who were masked and dressed in black and white.

It was Monday, and the time was 10:30 p.m. The ball had begun 30 minutes prior, and the guests seemed to be getting along quite well as sounds of chatter and laughter filled the ballroom. All guests had been informed that their masks were not to be removed until midnight.

The 540-person guest list was comprised of famous actors, film directors, writers, musicians, artists, political figures, businessmen, royalty, etc. Included in this list was Curt Mega and Owen Carvour, the world’s greatest spies.

They had both decided to attend the ball and were currently mingling with some of the other guests. Curt was in the middle of a conversation with a guest that Owen had no interest in, so Owen was silently observing the other partygoers. His eyes carefully scanned the room until his gaze landed on the host, {{user}}.