A few folks were mesmerized by the apocalyptic films on the TV. Slipstream, Road Warrior and Waterworld provided all three forms of apocalyptic transportation – planes, cars and boats.
The down side of throwing your own party is you have to miss all the others. I stepped out and visited the Esotericon party down the hall for a few minutes but that was it. I heard there were parties going on elsewhere and the Masquerade Ball was in full swing, but I had to miss all of that. Meh. My party kicked ass, so I’m not complaining. Not even when the fire marshal showed up. I had been warned, so I stood in the hall awaiting his arrival, ready to comply with all his wishes. That’s how you handle this particular type of authority figure. Play along 100% and they’ll go away.

He shows up a few minutes later. I told him I'm anxious to comply with his demands because I don't want to be unsafe. He walks in and says Christmas lights are a fire hazard.
No problem, we unplugged ‘em.
The fake flaming skull lights are a fire hazard.
No problem, they got turned off.
The plastic on the floor is a fire hazard.
No problem, we pulled it all up.
More than four people in a room is a fire hazard.
No prob– wait, what? Are you kidding? Like that fifth person is going to cause the room to become a kindling box and the hotel is going to spontaneously combust! I opened my mouth to argue but then remembered who I was dealing with and the best way to handle him. So I played along and said, “Everyone out,” and added in a whisper, “until the fire marshal leaves…”
So he and his posse headed out the door and into the stairwell. I figured he’d been working his way up from the ground and there was one more floor above us so I’d better wait until he’d finished that floor as well. I brought drinks to the faithful who loitered in the hall and chatted for a bit, keeping an eye on the stairwell. Then I realized the music in the room was still playing, coincidentally Ohio Players’ Fire.
Oh, you’d better believe that’s a fire hazard! I couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried.
A little while later I saw the fire marshal headed back down stairs. I gave him enough time to get out of earshot and turned back to the assembled crowd in the hall and yelled “Who’s ready to be a fiiiire haaazaaaaard?!?” and we charged back into the room and resumed partying hardy.

 An hour or so later, security showed up and told us we were too loud. Wes turned down the volume and some folks kept dancing anyhow.

A short time later the fire marshal reappeared, asking around who was responsible for the room and not getting a straight answer. I hoped the additional hassle he’d have to go through by asking the front desk wouldn’t be worth it if we made it obvious we were shutting the party down for good, so the party was killed right at its height.