One I did a few years ago randomly with no real motivation except to write. :\

36 Minutes Until Death and Presents

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A white wine spritzer, decorated with slices of lime and lemon, was placed in her hand the moment she had entered. Occasionally she would put the glass to her lips, but she would not actually drink out of it. It was not in her nature to trust alcohol from somebody else, nor was it in her nature to refuse something given. So between two long fingers she held the stem of the glass, a constant burden.

That was not the worst part for her. Ladies surrounded her and everywhere she turned she was greeted by fake smiles, shining hair and lipstick. They all had dresses on, for it was summer, and ladies in summer were expected to wear dresses. In all actuality, ladies were expected to wear dresses all the time, but none could be as casual as the ones worn on this hot day. The prints on the dresses were often frighteningly tacky, but she was no better. She was wearing a dress just like them. Long and soft pink, with a white flower pattern all over.

Inside, a few women were laughing and talking while preparing the snacks and appetizers. They were probably talking about the new house that went up for sale two doors down. It used to be Betty’s house until her and her husband Ralph divorced. It was a scandal talked about for days. The seemingly happy couple had just parted and now there would be a new Mrs. Two Doors Down that all these ladies would have to get to know.

She couldn’t tell you why it was so funny, but just knew it was a frequent conversation piece. Ladies were expected to gossip about these things. What should bother a man, like money and responsibility, should never bother a lady.

The pavement on the deck outside was scalding, and the few women who walked around barefoot had to pay the price for their idiocy. Perfume from five different women attacked her as she walked around the patio and around the swimming pool, which of course was never used because everyone knew swimming pools were just objects to show off and they were not to be swam in.

Even though she knew all these things, knew how phony all these ladies were, the foolishness and the degradation of these ladies, she had joined them.

It was a decision made only on her part. She could just as easily have stayed at home and played with her children, or spent time with her husband, or cleaned. Instead, she spent the afternoon applying makeup and curling her hair for the birthday party of somebody she did not know.

Looking at her watch, it was still thirty-six minutes until presents would be opened. Only thirty-six minutes until she had to explain why her present was a bullet to the face.