Page 12 of All Your Lies
I lean in toward Jenna’s ear. “Twenty-five grand for the introductory membership fee!? Are you fucking insane?”
“Definitely.” Jenna smiles.
“I can’t afford this.”
Jenna scoffs. “You’re worth millions. I don’t understand why you act so weird about money all the time.”
“It’s called being frugal. It allows you to keep having money.”
“And boring, you can’t forget that. You only have one life to live, Lex. Live it.”
“I’m trying to, but this is crazy,” I say.
“Chill, I’m going to pay for it.”
“You suddenly have another job besides bartending I don’t know about?”
“No, but I have this pretty cool plastic thing with a black strip on the back.”
She can’t be serious. I regard her as if she’s lost her mind for the millionth time tonight. “No way are you using your credit card on this.”
“So you want to use yours, then?” she asks with a cheeky grin.
“Absolutely not. My parents get my statements. I’d be mortified.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll pay for the first month. If you don’t like it, cancel the membership. See, easy peasy. Now sign the damn thing and stop stalling. I want to see what all the fuss is about,” she pleads as she points at all the places I need to sign.
“I’m paying you back when we get home. This is too much.” I shake my head, then sign the remaining lines.
“Perfect,” the woman says while gazing through the stack of papers to make sure we signed all the fields, then gazes up at us. “Ms. Rossi, may I see your right wrist?”
“Is the blood sacrifice next?” I mutter.
The woman laughs. “You’re funny. I like you already.”
“Thanks?” I say, quirking an eyebrow.
She places a one-inch black band with a small screen around both of our right wrists.
“This bracelet will allow you to move throughout the different rooms and attractions. You place it on the screen like this, and it will read your band. If access is granted, the bracelet’s screen will light up green and the door will unlock. If you are not permitted, it will remain black. This works much like a card would if you were at a hotel and attempting to get into your room. This will also hold your tab if you have any drinks at the bar or dine in our restaurant. The attendant will simply scan the band, and it will charge you an invoice, which will charge your credit card at the end of the night.”
“Oh, I love this,” Jenna says as she rubs her hands together like a villain ready to take down the world.
“One more thing. Here are your bags. Please place any personal effects such as cell phones, ID cards or credit cards, and keys in here.”
She hands us each a black velvet bag with a deep red drawstring. The fabric is cool and luxurious to the touch, as it should be for the monthly price of this place. I toss my belongings in and wait for Jenna to do the same.
“To ensure their protection, these items will be placed in a safe deposit box. When you’re ready to leave, make a stop here, and I’ll scan your bracelet to retrieve your belongings. The club is right through that door. Would you like a tour?” Jenna and I both shake our heads. I think we’ll manage just fine. “Well then, we at Obsidian hope you both enjoy your night,” she says as she walks to another door and leaves Jenna and me.
“Thanks, you too,” I say without thinking.
“Thanks, you too?” Jenna laughs. “What’s she supposed to enjoy out here?”
“Shut up, I’m nervous!” I say, opening the door she pointed to on the left.
A few short steps forward and we find ourselves in a room filled with an exquisite arrangement of black, red, and white fabric spanning from the floor to the ceiling. The room is filled with a chaotic dance of red and white light beams, forming mesmerizing geometric shapes. As the lights hit the glitter marble floors, they are transformed into a mesmerizing canvas of rainbow hues.
Plush velvet couches are scattered throughout the enormous room, some in dark, secluded corners for privacy and others which appear strategically placed for an audience.
