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Melanie had no idea what was in store for her when she stood at her professor's side and knocked on a large wooden door attached to a nondescript home in a neighborhood somewhere on the outskirts of Queens. She and Armando were both dressed nicely - he in a suit and dark jeans, she in a short black dress. An attractive middle aged woman opened the door and without being asked Armando provided his name. The woman checked her iPad to ensure they were cleared for entry. Before they left the foyer, the woman handed Melanie a lacy black face mask which featured a baroque pattern and crystal embellishments. She gave Armando an elaborate masquerade mask with ornately beautiful lace and jeweled gold accents.
The mysterious woman said, "phones" in a thick, Eastern European accent that Melanie
