"While you are visiting this island paradise and staying in my beautiful home, all of you must address me as 'the Master,' not by my given name. I am merely the Master to you for this entire three-day experience," as Julian, the host of Maestro Island, continued his list of demands, his good-humored guests continued to sip their champagne and island punch that was offered to them upon their arrival to his tropical island paradise. It was hot and humid so the refreshments were a soothing relief for the thirsty guests.
"Now follow me," continued the Master. The guests were led down a great ornately decorated hallway by their host and met by double doors at the end of the corridor. Two men stood at the doors with silver trays that Julian instructed everyone to set their nearly empty champagne flutes upon. Julian opened the doors ceremoniously, and he stepped aside allowing everyone to enter a large, dark room.
Julian instructed them to choose any seat in the room. Monique and the others realized they entered a theater that seated only twelve spectators. It was too dark for the guests to initially decipher the fashion of seating in the dimly lit theater.
Monique noticed immediately upon entering the dark room that it was not arranged as most traditional theaters. The stage of a traditionally found theater faces rows of seats. Julian's theater was custom designed as a theater-in-the-round with a small circular stage in the center of twelve plush cushioned, black velvet chairs with high, comfortable seat backs. There were just enough seats for all of the guests who entered for this particular evening with one extra vacant seat. Monique watched as Julian stood center stage, not yet joining his seated guests. There was only one continuous row of seats and that encircled the small stage. The group passed through the small gap in between end seats and walked along the edge of the stage area, allowing only one way in and one way out from the row. The stage was standing approximately one foot lower from the single row of seats. Monique noted that it was an unusual characteristic for a theater stage where that all spectators would have to look down onto the stage to watch performances. Each person sat in a seat next to individuals with whom they felt more comfortable. Monique found that she could look down on the stage just a few steps away from where she sat. The seated spectators were also able to clearly look at one another from their own seats because of the deep circular angle of the single row, given that each velvet chair was quite wide.
Julian gave his guests further instructions to rest their arms on the armrests that were comfortably provided for each chair. He then instructed them to join hands with the person on either side of them. Monique sat between Melissa and her friend Peter. They took hold of each other's hands, Monique's fingers entwined with Melissa's, and Peter's fingers holding her other hand. Stephan sat at one end of the semi-circular row choosing to seat next to Peter's other side. Lance sat next to Melissa's other side with Mimi choosing her seat next to him. Monique glanced over at both Melissa and then at Peter on either side of her and flashed them a playful smile. She showed avid curiosity and interest in the coming show.
Julian continued his instructions while he stood center stage. "The number one rule tonight for this show is to not let go of each other's hands. It's a pretty easy thing, right?" As he looked at each one of the seated guests, he continued. "Also, don't get out of your seats during the entire show."
Everyone looked at each other with puzzled expressions and they nodded in agreement with him. He continued, "Oh, but my dear guests, it won't be as easy as you think. I won't reveal what the show is about." Julian smiled, turned around on his heels and raised his right arm in a swift salute and announced, " So let the show begin, and remember, don't let go of your neighbors' hands and enjoy yourselves."
Julian then turned around on stage, and casually sauntered to the vacant seat at the end of the row. The stage and house lights dimmed to almost blackness. Then one dim red spotlight illuminated the center of the stage. Very unusual instrumental sounds started piping through a sense-surround system. Monique observed how acoustically perfect the sound was arranged from the stage and through the entire theater.
In a quick entrance, two individuals clad in black leather bodysuits and black masks on their faces appeared on stage. They moved so quickly that no one saw them come in and move past the awaiting audience. It could not be determined what gender the leather performers were. They carried black horsewhips that matched their costumes in their hands and they were bare footed. The two performers were both androgynous looking with their hair cut short and the slightest hint of breasts showed through their bodysuits. There were no feminine curves on either body. Just tall, slender frames revealed themselves through the ever so tightly fitted costumes. As the two performers began a slow, exotic movement across the stage floor, the red spotlight increased its brilliance and beamed intensely on the dancers' shiny, smooth black leather. It was an erotic dance they were performing for the audience. The movements were very suggestive, provocative and brazen. The dancers were so intent on each other that they never looked at any of the spectators sitting in the audience.
Melissa whispered into Monique's ear, face grimacing. "What is this show and what are they? I've never seen anything like this before." Monique believed that Melissa was questioning whether the dancers were men or women or a little of both. The two oddities seemed unreal.
Monique remarked lightly, "Yeah, it's better than a strip tease show, don't you think?"