No wonder you still rent.
The noise level at the club was ear-shattering as he walked into a packed room with a ceiling that rose three stories above him. The sound of a booming deep bass shook the walls in a repetitive rhythm that Roen could feel in the pit of his stomach. A dizzying array of bright, colorful lights sprayed the room, overwhelming the eyes.
It is loud in here.
“That’s one way to put it. Try actually talking to someone in one of these places.”
Roen left the main dance floor and went down a spiral staircase to the basement, where there was another dance floor. The atmosphere of the room was less spastic, with slower music. It was also better lit and without annoying pulsating lights. There, he found Antonio and some friends sitting in a booth against the wall.
After initial greetings were exchanged, Roen turned his attention to getting a drink. Buying drinks from the bar was like playing roulette; sometimes you got lucky, sometimes you didn’t. Patrons leaned against the bar, waving their money and hoping the bartender acknowledged their existence. Only at these places would the words “I know the bartender” have any pull. It took Roen fifteen minutes to get a beer.
Explain to me how this is fun: thirty minutes in line, thirty dollars to get in, ten minutes to work your way down here, ten more saying hi to people I can tell you barely know, and now fifteen minutes ordering a beer that costs twice what it should. You just lost an hour of your life.
“Why do you think I always swear to never come back?”
And yet you still do like an addict.
“More like a lemming.”
That works too.
Antonio walked to Roen and put his arm around him. “So your date went well?”
Roen nodded.
“Well, that’s a reason to celebrate. Cheers.” The two clinked their bottles together. “And you’re going to see her again?”
Roen nodded again.
“Another reason to celebrate.” The bottles clinked again. Antonio was hammered; his voice slurred and he leaned on Roen more for support than friendship.
“So, get this,” Antonio continued. “While you were pulling one of your disappearing acts the past few days, Sonya stopped by to drop off some books she wanted you to read. I made my move and asked her out, and guess what? She said I was sweet and she liked being friends, but she likes you! You! Over me! Actually, she didn’t say she liked you, she said she was, and I’ll quote, ‘totally in love with you.’ Imagine that! My boy here doesn’t get a date for like ten years and now, not one, but two hot chicks are madly in love with you. I have no idea what self-help book she’s having you read, but I want it.”
Roen was speechless. “Wait, what?!” The words came tumbling out of his mouth as he stood there in shock. “Sonya’s in love with me? Are you kidding?” Suddenly, he felt conflicted. She liked him? A flood of questions poured through his mind as he struggled with this new dilemma. Who was the better match for him? Who had the better personality? Who had a better figure? Who would his parents like more?
Do not get ahead of yourself.
Antonio laughed at the expression on his face. “You mean you didn’t know? The way she gushed about you, I thought your morning workout sessions were more like make-out sessions. Oh, here’s your money for the bet. You deserve it.” Antonio handed him a wad of cash. “You better be buying the drinks tonight, you sly dog.”
Roen held the wad in his hands and stared at it. “Wait, what bet? What is this money for?”
Put the money away and nod. Trust me on this one.
“Don’t rub it in, man,” Antonio grinned. “But seriously, what’s your secret?”
“Um… it’s my personal alien I was telling you about. He’s been giving me dating tips.” Roen smiled weakly.
I pat myself on my metaphorical back.
Before Roen could say another word, Antonio was off again, mingling with the crowd. Roen just watched as his roommate glided from group to group, talking to friends and strangers alike. He always admired how easily Antonio got along with just about everyone. Even strangers treated him like they were best friends after only a few minutes.
“So what’s this money for? What bet is he talking about?”
You do not remember that bet you two made?
“No, what bet?”
You have a rotten memory.
“I’d remember if I made a hundred-dollar bet. Heck, I get nervous making twenty-dollar bets.”
Well, stop thinking about it and use your newfound earnings to buy another drink.
Having finished his beer, Roen braved the packed crowd on the dance floor and worked his way back toward the bar. He waited another twenty minutes before the bartender noticed him. Not wanting to make the journey again, he ordered two scotches and double-fisted them back to the booth. There, he spent the rest of the evening drinking alone and watching the crowd.
Like ants over cake at a picnic.
“And you want to use us to take the Quasing home? Good luck.”
It was either you or the Neanderthals. There is still debate whether or not we made the right choice. Good thing dolphins do not have hands or you would all be extinct by now.
Roen raised his cup in the air to no one in particular. “Here’s to dolphins and their flippers.”
Indeed.
“I always heard dolphins were smart.”
They make humans look like chimps in any pattern recognition test.
“Pattern recognition test?”
Fundamentals of logical deduction, my friend.
“Good thing we have thumbs to offset our lack of intellect.” He raised the cup again. “Here’s to thumbs.”
The party was still in full swing when Antonio staggered back to the booth a while later. Under each arm was an attractive girl. “Ladies,” he said with a thick slur, “this is my buddy. Say hi.” The two smiled and waved. Antonio moved his arms away from their waists and patted Roen on the back. “This over here,” he gestured to his right, “is Laura. And this,” he gestured to his left, “is… what’s your name again?”
The pretty blond frowned and slapped Antonio on the chest. “Jerk,” she berated him playfully. The blond leaned forward and stuck her hand out, and said, “Hi, I’m Amber, you must be Roen.” Roen leaned forward and shook her hand.
“Tao,” she hissed.
Roen! Genjix!
Suddenly, Amber leaned forward and punched him in the face. Roen’s head snapped back and he fell back into the booth. Antonio looked bewildered. Before Antonio could say another word, Laura chopped him at the base of his neck and he fell forward.
Roen was used to being beaten in the face and quickly recovered from the blow. He focused on Laura while she was busy with Antonio. Still lying on his back, Roen kicked out and caught her on the side, sending her tumbling into the crowd.
Immediately, Amber lifted her leg and hammered it down on his stomach. Her stiletto heel dug into his midsection. He howled in pain and sat up. Grabbing her ankle, Roen pulled her leg and swung a hard right hook that caught her squarely in the face, knocking Amber over to the adjacent booth.
Get out of here. There might be more.
Roen climbed out of the booth, clutching his stomach. He turned toward the stairs just as Laura crashed into his back, slamming him against the wall. Roen fell forward, cutting his face on the hard brick surface. His arm banged against a large hanging mirror, causing it to crash to the floor. Glass shattered and spilled across the floor.
The crowd around them stopped dancing and stared at the chaos unfolding. Roen turned around just in time to catch another blow to the face. He reeled backward and hit his head on the wall again. Stunned, Roen fell to one knee as a rain of punches and kicks landed on him. While none of the strikes were particularly hard, the sheer intensity of the attack was overwhelming.