And don't ask when the party's over. They couldn't foresee the fall of the shah or the end of the Cold War. They're probably not gonna know. And don't talk to the bouncers. Once you're in the door, stay away from the girls.
Hookers are a great way to get blackmail on people.
And don't even think about the punch bowl. If the host says hello, stick to the small talk. Remember, they helped imprison Mandela, knocked off Allende, and targeted De Gaulle and Nehru. These folks don't exactly do political debate. However, if you're feeling jaunty and just can't help yourself, ask politely what the whole shindig is for.