Mairead skips just ahead of us, like someone who just pounded several energy drinks. Her purple Doc Martens and pink zebra print leggings, really compliment the bedazzled LisaFrank piece. She definitely has an eclectic taste in fashion, to say the least, but she makes it work. We look as though we are following a magical unicorn into battle, as we all make our way to the first stop on Mairead’s perfect itinerary. I just hope this time doesn’t involve petty theft or counting gravestones.
Andrea turns to me. “The code word is porpoise. All you have to do is say the word and we’ll leave.”
Mairead disappears into a restaurant with a wooden sign that reads:Tequila & Oyster Bar.
“Chill G.I. Jane… everything will be fine. We haven’t gone out to do anything fun together in forever!”
She considers me, lets out a long sigh, and nods; before we follow her into the restaurant.
The hostess leads us to a large table.
Once seated, Mairead insists lunch is on her. She demands that we each get a flight of tequila to make the experience at the escape room more enjoyable. “I’ve been to Jalisco before, where they make tequila. I actually went down there to ID someone. Pretty hard when they’ve lost their head.” She casually remarks as she nibbles on complimentary chips.
Andrea mouths to me,“say... the… word.”
I shake my head with a reassuring smile, knowing a lot of what Mairead says doesn’t make sense… but now I’ve learned what kind of man her brother is, I’m hoping her words aren’t literal.
I can’t help but notice how Andrea has spent most of her lunch, studying Mairead, while I attempt to keep the conversation light.
We touch on just about every subject; from animals to fashion and even movies.
I would never have taken Mairead for a Sandra Bullock fan. She was all over the board and there wasn’t a subject shedidn’t want to cover, especially once she pounded through each brightly colored shot glass.
Somewhere along the line, a laugh bubbled from Andrea’s serious state.
Since I inadvertently made a promise to stop all depressant substances years ago, I have become quite a lightweight.
By the third shot, I am definitely feeling the effects, and I still had three more to go.
Words pour from Mairead at an unnatural rate with no inkling of being intoxicated, other than being chattier.
Nothing damning or significant is shared during the flight of top shelf tequila and birria tacos.
Although it's become even more apparent, Andrea does not care for Mairead. Each of her sharp-tongued quips is laced with either sarcasm or intolerance.
Next stop is Escape Goats. Mairead is giddy, I am concentrating on appearing not as drunk as I actually am, and Andrea is… well, her usual ornery self. Unlike me, she is fine and prevents me from running face first into a light pole on the way over.
When we arrive at the escape room, I become a little worried the teen boy working at the counter will deny us entry. There must be some kind of rule about being intoxicated while playing, especially when I’m unsure if I could find my way home at this moment. Shockingly, he could care less about my condition, instead informing us that they are booked for the rest of the day.
Mairead isn’t too pleased with this development. Deciding to remedy the situation by leaning through the sliding window and whispering something into the honest kid’s ear. Maybe it was her feminine wiles or something she said, but his story changed. Now, the most popular experience is suddenly available for us. Candy colored lip gloss is smeared on the teen’s cheek, as he leads us to our assignment door.
We each grab a laminated instruction sheet from the wall pocket, before stepping inside the fully immersive escape room.
It is a quaint office setting with a large desk, bookshelves, floor lamp, and two chairs. A grandfather's clock ticks softly in the corner of the room, while we get to work exploring the maps and books lining the walls. This place emanates Sherlock Holmes’ vibes.
Mairead spins in a chair and Andrea tugs at each of the desk drawers, while I read from the handout.
“Callaway is notorious for getting away with his crimes. You have one hour to visit his office before he returns. Find out who his accomplice is and locate the explosive devices around the city before it’s too late. Don’t forget to escape the room before Callaway finds you here.”
My throat suddenly feels tight, and it isn’t because of the shots.
Andrea is already standing in front of me, tilting her head back slightly to look up to my face.
She knows my triggers, my weaknesses. How a single notion could bring me back to that room when I was a little girl. The explosion. Just saying the word makes my chest constrict. Last time, the smoke from the lantern dragon made me panic and blackout.
I want to leave this room, even if I don’t get anything from this outing. Maybe I was just kidding myself, about gaining insight from the Murray family tree. What does it matter that Mairead is Eamon’s sister? It’s probably just a weird coincidence. Our meeting, her working at the same grocery store as me, it could mean nothing.
“Mairead, I’m not feeling so great. I think I should go.”
