[John332]

We got back from Christmas holidays and I didn't see Lizzie for some time. Money was tight, and I'd taken a part time job doing admin and reception work at the local art gallery for extra cash. It didn't pay well, but it was enough. However, a few weeks later, Lizzie asked if I wanted to be in for her next party. I was slightly hesitant and had to think for a minute, but a part of me really wanted to join in, so I told her I was in. For the rest of the afternoon, my mind was churning - had I done the right thing?

We had dinner, and at about 10pm, Lizzie, Rachel and I were drinking, expecting guests. I'd had a real shock when Rachel hadn't left the house as usual, and I buzzing with nerves, and I was drinking slightly too quickly, to stop my hands from shaking a bit. I felt a rush of dread at what I might have to do in front of the very conservative Rachel. Guests started arriving, and I talked to Em, Heather, Beth and Oli, exchanging slightly shame-faced looks before we laughed about it all, secretly grinning at each other in anticipation.

At midnight, Lizzie called everyone to silence.

"Thanks for coming," she said. "We've got a very mixed house tonight - some friends, some new friends,"

Rachel looked at me quizzically "does this usually happen?" she asked

I shushed her and Lizzie carried on

"I'd like to introduce a new game over the next few weeks," she said. "It's a kind of scavenger hunt, and involves dares, daring and a few prizes. I'm going to give you each a card with a list of dares on it. There are different point values to each dare, and as you get a photo of your completion of each dare, you'll get that number of points. You may only do one dare per card - no other dares will count. In two weeks, we'll throw another party and reward the top scorers. Taking part is not compulsory, but if you do want to take part, please pay £10 for your card."

She stepped down and started handing out the cards. The room was pretty full - at least 30 people had crammed into our flat.

Rachel turned to me

"Did you know about this?"

"No," I said. "I had no idea. Are you going to join in?"

She thought for a minute

"Well, it does sound like fun!"

We both paid Lizzie and got our cards. They were sealed into an evelope, and I put mine in my pocket, but Rachel opened hers straight away. She looked at the first two of the three and giggled - the first said "Either: 1. Pose in a photo which would look good in FHM (20 points) or 2. Shoot a video of yourself jumping out of a box on the street when a complete stranger walks by (15 points)" the second one said "1. Shoot a video of yourself singing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' at a random party to a room of strangers (20 points) or 2. Shoot a photo of yourself streaking on the beach (30 points)."

She laughed "They're a bit risque, aren't they? Can I see yours?"

Luckily at that moment, Lizzie called me over and we went to the other side of the room.

"Don't worry," she said. "Hers, and everyone else who hasn't been before, are much tamer than the regulars. But I do need more cash from people who have been before - but don't worry, it'll be worth it."

After a bit of discussion, I handed her another £20. People seemed to be drifting away, so I went to my bedroom to read my dares. I had three cards, as Rachel had. My first one said
1. Take a picture of yourself in front of a work of art, imitating it (15 points)
2. Pose nude in front of a room full of people (50 points)
3. Get pictures of yourself having sex in an art gallery (75 points)

The second said
1. Get a video of yourself swimming in the north sea at sunrise (25 points)
2. Take pictures of yourself stripping out of your swimming costume and throwing it past the camera (45 points)
3. Shoot porn-style pictures in a swimming pool - only graphic ones will count (70 points)

The third said
1. Take photos of yourself in front of a fashion magazine, imitating the models (15 points)
2. Convince a stranger to pose for a fashion shoot in their underwear (45 points)
3. Video yourself taking photos of two other people and then having a threesome (75 points)

I laughed at the first one - I could always volunteer for life class at the gallery. The others would be much harder, and I was trembling slightly as I thought about the possibilities and whether I actually wanted to do them.