The cool night air kisses my shoulders as I exit the cab. I wish I wore my coat, the backless silver tank top, short black skater skirt, and fishnets don't provide much warmth against the cool fall night. My best friend, Stella, told me she was taking me out for a night on the town and that I was to dress sexy. My outfit got her approval when she picked me up earlier, catcalling out the cab window to me. Stella is way more outgoing and braver than I am, but I love that she is pulling that forward side out of me.
Stella grabs my hand and pulls me along with her to the front of the line waiting to get into The Black Rose. The waiting patrons give us dirty looks as she flashes a pass to the bouncer, who secures silver coloured bracelets to our wrists before letting us in.
"Welcome to The Black Rose, Charlie!" Stella exclaims, throwing her arms wide as we enter the bar. The heat of the bodies packed into the club immediately warms me from the night chill moments before. The place is packed, bodies are everywhere. Some are grinding on the expansive dance floor to our left, others are lined up at the long, sleek mirrored bar placing their drink orders.
"Wow," I am speechless at the decor; mirrors are everywhere. The drink bar is completely mirrored, front, top, and behind the bartenders. The dance floor has a mirrored ceiling, giving the flashing DJ lights more flare, almost to a dizzying point. Any surface that isn't mirrored, like the floor of the dance area, is matte black.
"It's epic, right?" Stella leads us to the bar to order us some drinks. Once again, she shoulders her way to the front of the line, garnering us prompt service.
"Stell, how often are you here? It's like they're bowing down to serve you!" I say as Stella hands me my drink, a fruity cocktail that's the special of the night. We move off to the side, where there are high table tops forming a barrier of sorts between the dancefloor and the bar area.
"Well... I was going to wait until we've had at least one drink. But I guess I'll just tell you now." Stella sets her drink onto our table, giving me a serious look. I'm instantly on edge. "So, you know how I've been telling you about my ... adventures? And you've said you wanted to join me some night, right? Well...."
"It's here?!" I look around, trying to see the place with a different lens. Nothing looks different than a regular night club. Am I misunderstanding what she's saying?
"It's hidden, but yes, this is the nightclub they run. Finish your drink and I'll show you the rest. You do want to see it, right Charlie?" Stella seems nervous for my reply. We've talked about her experiences before, and I have told her someday, some time, I would like to come and see what it's all about. I wasn't expecting it tonight, but I'm not upset. I'm actually getting excited. I don't know what to expect at all, but I'm curious.
Nodding my response, I look around again, paying closer attention to those around us. That's when I notice there are different coloured entry bracelets. Most people are wearing gold-coloured ones, with just a handful of other patrons donning the silver-coloured bracelets like Stella and I are.
It dawns on me then. I raise my wrist, "It's the bracelet? That means something, right?"
Stella nods while taking a sip from her drink. "Members are given direct access. We're identified by the bracelets. Since you're my guest tonight, you do too."
"So... where is it? Is it like at the stroke of midnight this whole place changes?"
Stella throws her head back in laughter, blond hair cascading down her back. "You sure you're ready for this?"
"Yes. Absolutely, yes."
We leave our drinks as Stella navigates us past the sweaty, pulsing bodies on the dance floor. On the opposite side of the bar there's a discreet alcove with a bouncer standing guard. I didn't notice it before, mostly because his black uniform blended in with the black background. Stella flashes him our silver bracelets, and he opens the door behind him.
Inside, there's a short, dark hallway. The music from the dancefloor is muted, almost barely noticeable. At the end is another bouncer, guarding another door. Beside him is a table with glass bowls filled with more bracelets, only these aren't the gold or silver ones. Each bowl holds a different colour; green, yellow, and red. The green bowl is almost empty, whereas the red doesn't look like any were removed.
"Green and yellow, please," Stella points to herself and then to me.
"Does your guest know the rules?" he asks as he reaches into the respective bowls to retrieve our bracelets.
"I'll fill her in. I know, Sam, she's my responsibility," Stella holds out her wrist for the bouncer to affix her green bracelet. Her tone is exasperated, in a cordial way. They obviously are familiar with him.
He just nods in response, and punches in the code to open the door for us. Stella leads the way, through the door to a dark stairwell. The music is different in this area, the main bar area no longer able to be heard at all. The sounds here are different. The music is lower, mixed with different sounds I can't quite make out. There's a curve in the stairs, and once we round the turn the sounds grow louder as the room below opens up to us. We're in an open concept room. To the right is a lounge area with black leather couches formed in a U shape centered around a large screen TV on the wall. To the left is another bar, this one sleek black and much smaller than upstairs. The whole room is much smaller than I expected, not even half the size of the expansive dancefloor up above.
The sounds I couldn't decipher now make sense to me: moaning. Lots and lots of moaning. Low music is playing from somewhere, but not loud enough to drown out the moans and... slaps? The moaning is coming from the couches and the TV - people on the couches are in various stages of sex, while the TV is playing a porno.
"Charlie, you okay?" Stella is watching me take everything in. I'm sure my eyes are bugging out of my head. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I said I wanted to come. My throat is too dry to speak, I just nod and stand there awkwardly, unsure what to do next.
