He turned the shiny brass knob and stepped into the room. The first thing he noticed was the warm fireplace at the opposite wall of the room. It made him feel like he had just sunk into a warm bath, lethargy seeping out of his bones. He had barely registered the fact that it was incongruous to the modern interior of the room, when he was blown away by the people in it.

Adonises rose from the sleek leather armchairs, their muscles rippling beneath perfectly ironed tuxedos. The men had their arms around the slender waists of females wearing cocktail dresses. He closed the door behind him as he greeted the group, picking up a flute of sparkling champagne, letting the bubbles of bliss blossom within him.

He never noticed the gas masks and stuffed deer heads that sat upon their necks. Nor did he realise that they were all moving in slow motion and that the music of revelry never came on cue. But the white noise played on in silent hums, as they exchanged words unheard.