2019-09-19 - Let's Masquerade

Byron Thorne had set up an appointment with the Caberet's owner ahead of time, informing the employee who was manning the phones that he would like to meet Mister Williams when it was convenient. This was the appointed hour in the early evening. While it may not be crowded with the regular night time patrons, it still allowed him a moment to observe the inner workings of the place, taking in the atmosphere and all that. As this was a business call, he's dressed in a full three-piece suit, all in a dark slate hue while a black tie is neatly done up at his collar. His hair is slicked back with gel in a more big city style rather than anything that you'd normally find in a sleepy small town such as Gray Harbor. In his hand he carries a briefcase and as his Rolls is parked right near the entrance, there was no need of umbrella to ward off the drizzle.

On entrance, Thorne gives the place a curious look before he stops by cashier's desk, letting them know, "Byron Thorne here to see Mister Williams. I'd set up an appointment."

The bounces inclines his head toward the bar at the far side of the club, silently ushering the visitor on. On the stage, a buxom blonde has stripped down to her pink lace panties, and crawls about on all fours collecting tips. Several customers are gathered around the rail, while a few more dancers circulate collecting tips and selling private dances.

At the bar, Antonio is seated with his iPad and dirty martini set in front of him. He's attired in a pink blazer and dark slacks, sporting an open collar, crisp white shirt. He casts an eye toward the entrance and smirks.

When he's directed to the man of the house, Byron continues on. He'll allow himself the distraction of what's up on stage, his steps beginning to slow so that he can properly appreciate the blonde in the pink lace. This place is what he'd expected a Gentleman's Club to be like as he's been to a few back in California. On reaching the bar, dark attentive eyes study the sharply dressed man to be found there. This is where he was told to go, so the man in the pink blazer must be the one he is looking for. "You must be Mister Williams, Byron Thorne. I called earlier for a meeting." He extends his free hand out to the other in formal greeting. "I'd mentioned a festival I was putting together near Halloween as a way to help bolster the town's economy. I figure," He looks around at the place, an easy smile on his lips, "That you would be able to provide some of our visiting guests with some entertainment of your own."

"Yeah, the best drinks and the best girls in town. The only show in town, really. You know what I mean? Anyway, you want a meeting, you got a meeting." The strip club boss sips his martini with a smirk, looking over the newcomer for a few moments.

"Halloween festival, huh? Is that like a family friendly thing? Cuz we are NOT family friendly here, y'know." The boss laughs at that, cocking his head to the bartender. "You want a drink?"

The door to the back opens up and out walks Love with about half a bucket of ice hefted in her hands. The tall, tattooed woman is wearing flats. It's the only reason she's attempted this pre-shift ritual without the aid of an enormous bouncer's muscles. She's dressed in all black, a plunging halter and skinny jeans, long hair pulled up in an artfully messy kind of top knot. Not a dancer. She shortly makes her way behind the bar, which solves that mystery. Lots of clothes = bartender. She dumps the ice, which is a little loud for a few seconds there. "Apologies, gents."

"If I'm being honest, I was surprised to hear that this place was being bought out just for this purpose. Nice work with what you've done here." Byron says as he openly surveys the whole of place from his standpoint, noting the decor, the lighting and how everything is situated. "I've been to a few places like this in L.A. and it can be quite profitable." But that's L.A. where there are ton of rich and famous. This was Gray Harbor! His gaze falls on the other man's glass, "I'll have a dirty martini as well. This will most likely be the last stop for me today."

When Love joins them behind the bar, he'll flash her a smile just as he's setting his brief case down atop the bar counter and flipping it open. "The event can be whatever our guests want it to be. It's a weekend long, town-wide Masquerade." When he says this, his gaze lifts to view Antonio, "Gray Harbor itself will be decorated to somewhat resemble the Carnival in Venice and things of that nature. This is more or less to help boost interest in our fine town and draw tourists here. If this works out, City Hall may allow for it to be an annual event."

"Town-wide, huh? That sounds ambitious. I like it. I like ambitious." The strip club boss raises his glass in a salute to Byron, sipping from his martini and shooting a wink to Love.

"Suppose the question will be how we can contribute. Maybe a few scantily-class ghouls and goblins? Handing out vouchers for free happy hour beers here at the Cabaret? I could see some good ideas along those lines." Antonio chuckles, shifting his gaze between Love, Byron, and the stage.

Love tunes in when she hears 'Halloween' and 'festival' paired in a sentence. She glances between Byron and Antonio with a little smile. "Sure." Her soft reply to the drink order. She picks up a shaker after scooping two martini glasses full of ice. Those rest on the bar to chill while she operates this side of the bar, measuring with deft gestures, a jigger scissored between her fingers. She turns her back to the men for a moment, fiddling around with a fresh jar of olives. "That sounds like a good time. Are you commissioning local artists to make masks?" She turns back, shooting a slightly wider smile to Antonio at the wink. She shakes her head, capping the shaker and giving it a vigorous agitation.

"I know a few locals who could be down, and kids always love mask-making too."

The first set of papers that he brings out is signed by Mayor Addington and City Hall. These are official papers. Copies of course, which he slides over towards Antonio's direction. The next items are photos and drawings that had inspired this idea in the first place. Byron allows both Antonio and Love to look over these items, "I've put together far larger events in the past. Well, not in this town-wide scheme, but for a far larger audience. Recently, I assisted in coordinating a fashion show slash musical festival in Los Angeles. Booking the artists has got to be the best part."

"Ghouls and goblins, well, whatever you'd prefer. It's not quite Halloween, so I do expect a lot of domino masks of Phanton of Operas and Plague Doctors with plumed hats, sweeping capes and that sort. Think of this as.." He pauses to consider, "Gray Harbor will set the stage for a weekend long fantasy. Something whimsical and magical." His gaze returns to the stage when he smile, "Sometimes fantasies are of a more sensual nature and that's where the Cabaret comes in. Making those fantasies come true."

"Do you know of any good local artists? I have a botanist who will be helping to decorate the place among other artists to turn the Harbor into Carnival Venice." A pause, "I recall that there was a costumer in town that I ought to pay a visit to."

(Inspiration photos: https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Luxe-Adventure-Traveler-Venice-Carnival-14.jpg & https://dotravel.com/uploads/articles/80/venice_carnival_masquerade_balls.jpg & https://i2.wp.com/www.planeteu.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/12/The-Carnival-Venice.jpg?resize=640%2C498 Ambitious indeed...)

The strip club boss casts his gaze over the photos as he finishes his martini, leaning in closer with a broad smile on his face. "Artistic, too. I like it. So you think you want our staff deployed around your event, or you want our little club to have like a theme party along these lines?" Antonio considers, pushing his empty martini glass forward for another.

"Imagine you'll attract a good crowd with this. Hopefully they have a lot of money to spend." The boss winks.

Love pours the ice from the glasses, giving them a flick, the stems held crossed in one hand, to clear the dribbles of melt. She clicks them down on the bar once the shaker's flushed cold, and strains two dirty martinis, one for Byron and a refill for Antonio. She garnishes each glass with a bamboo skewer with three olives each, tipping them along the edge of the martini glass. Her inked hands slide the glasses across the bar, careful of the paperwork, almond shaped nails just touching the base rounds.

Love leans against the bar, arms crossed on it, leaned over to peer at the paperwork Byron pulls out. She nibbles her own skewer of olives, head tipped to look at the photos. "I'm a painter. I've done a few masks in my time. I just happen to be acquainted with some of the local uni art kids. I bet they'd lean into this, especially if it pays, and I have plans to meet a local sculptor in a couple of weeks, some wine and pottery thing. If she's good, this shaping these shouldn't be too far out of her wheelhouse." She drags her nails across the edge of one of the photos. "I'll be making my own in any case. Plague doctor masks are amazing."

If anything, the entrepreneur's grin broadens when Antonio brings up hoping that the ones attracted here will have a lot of money to spend. "You and me both. This event will be something to experience and remember. Make them look forward to returning the next year." Byron looks appreciatively at the drink, "Thanks." And with that, he lifts it to his lips for a sip. "In truth," This he tells Williams now, "It would be more of the latter. I'm asking this of all local business owners. In order to pull off this dream-like masquerade, everyone needs to work together to ensure that it all fits seamlessly. One long dream, no matter where the location in Gray Harbor. Now, the theme can change from 'dream to dream', but as long as it fits a sort of narrative, whatever you'd like. Now," There is emphasis in his voice here, "Flyers and things of that sort could be passed around to promote a more adult and sensual fantasy. That would definitely draw some attention for those looking for that kind of fun."

Once most of his promotion of the event is done, he is curious to listen to what the bartender has to say, "That would be fantastic actually. A friend of mine runs the pawn shop, so she can help with some of the decor using some of the old items that have come her way. And of course, there will be payment. You can't make money without spending money and this, in a sense, is hopefully going to gain the town and their business some traffic."

"Plague doctor masks, huh? I can see it. Get down with that alternative shit. Like I said, as long as they wanna spend money." Antonio laughs, taking up his next martini and sipping with a smirk spread from nearly ear to ear.

"I'll see about concept sketches. One of the artists I know is already in a steampunk mode, and it wouldn't take much to tip him goth if somebody wants to go that flavor." Love cups her chin her palm. "You tell me what theme you want, I'll make masks happen for the girls and boys of the cabaret. Further designs on a concept by concept basis. These things can be modified off of a few set bases. If we make some masters, it doesn't take long to make a bunch at once."

"I hope someone uses the ballroom scene from Labyrinth as a model for an event, because all of the glitter." Spray glitter. Body glitter. Acrylic set with glitter. Goblins and costumes and dancing and ridiculously intricate hair. She finishes her olives and tips back from the bar. Happy bartender. "Mae's going to love this."

"Why not here?" Byron asks, giving the place another once over as if trying to envision what they could turn this Gentleman's Club into for one weekend. "I, honestly, will leave the theme and everything up to Mister Williams. This is his place after all. As long as there's a touch of elegance and mystery to it, I don't mind. This isn't your typical Halloween party. I'm hoping that it holds some air of elegance compared to the likes of the Mardi Gras. Not that I have anything against that sort of thing and.." The pause here sounds thoughtful. He'd considered all of this before, "I know that not everyone will have the imagination or know-how on how to put-together the perfect costume, but this is only the first year. Trial and error and all." He takes another sip of his martini, "But I'm not going to lie. Whatever happens, I'm banking on this to be a success."

He then reaches into his pocket to pull out his wallet, then passes a clear plastic business card across the bar to Love with his contact information. "Please do keep in touch and we'll see what I and the committee responsible for this festival will come up funds-wise. We are looking for sponsorship as well if you are interested."

"Of course. I like it, I like it. Think we'll be a nice addition to your town-wide extravaganza. Think you'll do real well." Antonio's smirk stretches wide on his face as he takes the business card, giving it a quick once over.

"Hopefully you'll be back before then, huh? After all, you won't have a better time than you'll have here at Platinum." The boss cocks his head toward the stage for emphasis, where a wisp-thin brunette has just taken the stage to a punk rock song.

"I don't think you can go wrong with this kind of event." The costumes, the spectacle. Love's clearly still thinking about potential variations on theme, stepping away for a moment to pull a few ice waters for staff. "You should check out the VIP sometime," she chimes in, ever one to back the boss's sales pitch, though hers is usually more subtle and involving some kind of alcohol. "People love a little escapism, and who doesn't like a masquerade? Anything can happen." And probably will. She disappears behind the bar to fetch something on a lower shelf.

With his wallet set down next to his drink once the business card was passed on, Byron starts to collect the various papers and images to straighten them out into a neat stack and slipping them into a folder. "This is your copy, Mister Williams. Just to remind you of the date and perhaps the images or the description of the Masquerade will help to inspire you in how you would like decorate this place." With his glass in hand, he swivels within his chair to look upon the performance on the stage once more, "I actually used to cater to clients by bringing them to clubs such as this one in celebration of closing a deal or to entice them to close. Now that you've opened this place, I'll probably be doing much of the same more often. I own the Bayside Apartments." The luxury fortress, where a bunch of murders recently happened at.. "So sometimes I'll have investors, clients and potential tenants stopping by. While this place may not be suited to all, it's suited to most as the men who I work with are men with money." And power. They talk relaxation and enjoyment, he talks business.

"Excellent. This is the best type of place to negotiate or close a business deal, don't you think? Enjoy the stage show, and if you want to enjoy more, spend a little bit in the champagne room." The boss winks, finishing his martini and withdrawing a vape e-cigarette as he looks over toward the stage. "There are benefits to being the only show in town, y'know?"

Love comes up with a bottle of ginger beer, moving around back there to mix a couple of drinks for farther down the bar. She keeps an eye on the boss and Byron in case either needs something else from her. She's thinking, though she doesn't interrupt too much. Artist brain: engaged.

"Men with money do love being parted from it." That comment's offered with a grin, and then she's off to shake up some spicy cocktails with a bite.

"The Champagne Room?" Thorne asks with some curiosity, his head turned to view the private rooms in the back. "Tempting. I'm actually surprised that one of my friends didn't plan a party here. I had a recent birthday. This would've been an excellent way to celebrate." Now with his own business out of the way, he engages in minor chit-chat, enjoying his martini and some fine conversation. Nevermind that the visuals being presented are just the icing on the cake. "What brings you to Gray Harbor of all places?" This is asked to Antonio. At that very moment, his phone chimes, most likely having just received a message. Taking a brief moment to read who the sender is, he immediately slips it back into his pocket to be forgotten.

At Love's comment, he can't help but laugh, "You'd think that. And there is some truth to it. They'll part with it for enjoyment but will clutch at it tightly for any other reason."

"Champagne room is where it's at. I mean, the stage show is good. But sometimes you wanna be closer than just watching, you know what I mean? That's why we sell champagne dances." Antonio explains the business model matter-of-factly, then sizes up Byron with a grin.

"Figured this was a place where I could be the only business in town, right? Figure I was right." Antonio drinks to that, setting the empty down and chuckling under his breath. "Also tryna' make this a legitimately good place, even though we're the only show in town."

The backstage door opens and Mae makes her way out toward the bar, dressed in a sparkly black unitard with some soft, thigh-high suede boots. She takes a seat near Antonio and aims a pleading look toward Love. "Make me something that will make me forget that I have a headache?" She asks, an impish smile forming on her lips. She slants a look at Antonio, offering him a chipper smile. "Hey boss."

The stranger gets a brief smile too, and a little finger wave. "Hey there."

Love mhms. "That I know." She seems amused by Byron's reply. "The ladies here are good at coaxing cash free of those wallets and making the show worthwhile. When you bring your clients here, bring a lot of bills. Plastic's acceptable for the tabs when you start them. You give us advance notice, we can prepare a special menu for you." That's not the hard-sell, but it's definitely a softly spoken nudge.

"Hey, Mae." Love leans on the bar and passes over an ice water. "Drink that first, then we'll follow with something more tart." Which means a tart, sweet little appletini is shortly forthcoming, shaker splashed with equal parts vodka and soup apple schnapps. Some kind of sharp citrus goes in, either lime or lemon juice, and she shakes till it's cold. She pours out two, because she's experiencing something similar to Mae. Go figure. She garnishes the glasses with thin green apple slices.

"That does sound real classy too. The Champagne Room. I like it." Byron says with an easy smile, more than a hint of amusement in his tone. "I have a new tenant, who is also an investor who just moved into the Apartments this summer. Probably only use the place as his summer home or a home away from home when he's on this this coast. I think, he'll be more than interested to a guy's night out here when the missus is away." Though turning back to Love now, there's this lift of his brows, followed by a nod, "I'll remember that. I'm sure that I'll be making more contacts from out of town once the Masquerade drops."

Thorne sees the new arrival when she approaches, never being shy about giving an appreciative glance when one is warranted. To the woman's greeting, he'll flash a winning smile of his own, "Hey yourself." It's still early, but he's one of those patrons dressed up in a suit and tie. Though with his briefcase now settled at his feet beside his stool, it's pretty clear that he was probably here for business.

"It can be classy or not classy. Depends on what you want, right? We cater to all sorts of tastes here. You gotta let your cares go and just enjoy yourself when you're at the cabaret, y'know what I mean?" Antonio winks once, taking up his next and drinking unceremoniously with a broad smile on his face. "Labyrinth -- that's the movie with the muppets and whatever dancing around, right? Hell yeah."

Mae makes an innocent face when Love mentions how good the dancers are at coaxing cash from wallets, taking the appletini and sipping from it. She glances at Antonio and flashes a big smile, inserting herself into the conversation at hand. "Yes, we recently hired a ballerina. She makes strip teases look really classy. I need to get some tips from her, honestly." She raises her glass to Love, toasting her as she takes another sip.

Her attention turns to Byron then. "We can be very classy here, if that's what you're looking for." She remembers to be polite, slipping to her feet to offer Byron her hand. "Mae Molinari, nice to meet you. Hope you bring more friends back like yourself, we'll make it a lot of fun." She winks at him, and then moves to retake her seat on the stool. Her attention is briefly snagged by the woman on stage, watching the show for a few minutes while she sips at her drink.

If anything, Thorne looks rather intrigued by the duality of it all between keeping it classy and not so much. Then again, he didn't expect anything else from the Platinum Cabaret. To something which Antonio says, he nods almost absently, "Yes, the one with David Bowie." Everyone's probably seen Labyrinth. Turning a curious glance the other man's way, he asks, "So are you thinking of using that particular movie as the theme for the Masquerade festival? I find it fitting, depending on what you want your dancers and waitresses to wear really." A pause, his gaze returning to Zoiya now, "I'm sure that you'll be able to make it enticing no matter what you want them to be."

That charmed smile lingering on his lips, Byron takes the offered hand for a firm shake, "Byron Thorne. Owner of the Bayside Apartments and Entrepreneur." This is followed by a light laugh, "Don't worry about that. I have clients coming in and out of the Harbor on the regular. I'll be able to make time." A look is then given the stage as well, "Though I'm sure I can find things to do here on my off time as well."

"Nice to meet you Byron, and I try to make things enticing, it's part of the job." Mae takes another sip of her appletini, pushing the stemmed glass away from her as she crosses her legs. "So I hear we're having some sort of ..festival? We're dressing up, we're not undressing during this, are we?" She looks confused, looking from person to person trying to get a sense of what is being discussed. She rests her chin on her palm, giving Byron a once over. "You bring people with you and we'll take good care of them. You come yourself, and I'm sure we can find something for you to do in the VIP lounge." Her eyes twinkle at the thought, and she sits up straight, brushing fingers through her hair. "I've heard of the Bayside Apartments. Sadly I couldn't afford the rent, ended up on Elm instead."

Byron has been talking festival all day, but he doesn't seem to mind. This was his baby anyway. "It's a weekend long, well starting from Thursday really, Halloween, town wide festival with a Venetian Masquerade theme. So masks and plumes and capes and things of that nature." That smile on his face widens with his laughter, crinkling at the corners of his eyes, "That really depends on what Mister Williams prefers. This is where adult fantasies come true, so... I'll leave it up to all of you to come up with something of interest." He gives the room another look over, primarily focusing on the various wait staff and dancers alike especially the dancers, "If you are made to dress up, it probably won't be for long. Entertainment-wise anyway."

That amusement on his features persist, "Yeah, I gotta admit, the luxury apartments aren't cheap. But Elm? There's a huge gap, financially between being unable to afford Bayside and to live on Elm." He then hurries with a, "Not that Elm is a bad place." It probably is.

"I figured if I couldn't live in the nicest place, I should probably save as much money as I could. So I am helping a few people out." Mae splays a hand across her collarbone, aiming a flirtatious smile toward Byron. "I make pretty decent money, so right now, I'm saving for a car. Riding a motorcycle in the rain is becoming more and more of a pain in the ass." She considers what she's heard about the festival, fingers tapping on the top of the bar. "Sounds like it's going to be interesting. I've been to a few street parties, but never a town festival type of thing. I look forward to seeing what you have planned. We'll see what Antonio comes up with too."

"Oh I love to dress up, I really want to get to dance. " She eyes Love's appletini, considering a theft.

A few days back, Viktor Kovacs elected to give one of the the Cabaret's staff a ride from the strip mall. The seed was planted then. He actually lives further out of town down the highway than the building sits, and despite passing it every single day, never once pulled in to check it out. This small impetus, combined with the Pourhouse having a karaoke night is what sees him coming through the door. Nobody, but nobody needs to hear him sing.

He's gone for light gear, humidity being what it is. A thin red cotton shirt topped over by an impact-resisting bike jacket in black and red, Kevlar reinforced jeans, and a shin-covering pair of thick soled boots that said jeans tuck in to, which also sees him getting the most casual pat-down by one of the bouncers. It's not that he looks unsavory, more... well, consider it a slight case of potential 'biker bias' being foisted upon the guy.

Love meanders back from doing something at the other end of the bar. Probably something distasteful like handing out boring, boring bottle beers from the cooler. Boring, but easy money. She cashes out at least one tab at the end of the bar. Returning sometime at the tail end of the explanation of the festival to Mae, she says, "Thinking about asking Dylan to work with me on some mask designs for the girls. I think we almost have Tony sold on Labyrinth inspired costuming, which leaves it open from the darker end to the light end. Everybody can choose their own theme, and sparkles."

"I wonder if the salon will give us a group discount on mani-pedis." This is said as she wanders past Mae, empty ice bucket headed for the end of the bar for the next bouncer 'round to fill 'er up. She's probably already sixteen steps into planning the costume she'll wear behind the bar.

"That's always the best idea. Live cheap and save up for the next step in your life." The entrepreneur is here giving life advice lessons. Byron will accept any forms of flirtation, letting his eyes do the wandering to inspect the goods. It's a subtle thing for the most part. "You ride a motorcycle? I was thinking of getting one, but you're right. This may not be the best location for a motorcycle. Enjoy the very few days without rain that you can before summer ends." Well, summer was officially ending and the skies have become dark again.

"This festival will be quite the undertaking, but I have the support of City Council and the town's beautification committee will help with dressing the place up to prepare for our guests." When Love speaks up, he takes in something that's brought up, "I'll be looking for a costume myself. As will many residence of the town, so if you and your friends might want a little job, I'd appreciate the help."

Perhaps out of the corner of his eyes, while he's finishing off his drink, Byron might notice a little something going on, perhaps hearing the bit of commotion rather than seeing any of it. But it's none of his business!

"Well you had me sold on sparkles." Mae responds, perking up as mani-pedis are mentioned. She looks like she's considering what she might wear that is Labyrinth themed, flashing a big smile at Love when she mentions Dylan. "That's an excellent idea, I think he'd have a lot of fun with that, between us." She turns to watch Byron, especially when he starts to eye her, a grin blooming on her lips. "Love here is great at planning things, I'll shamelessly plug her if you find that you need another pair of fingers in a pie. I would volunteer, but my planning skills are sub par. Unless it has to do with dancing."

"I love riding my motorcycle, I hate being damp when I get here or I get home." She gestures toward the outside, chuckling softly. "Rain rain everyday. You get used to it." She turns her head to see if it's raining now, and that's how she spots Viktor. She lets her look linger, especially with the gear he has on, but there is no need to oogle, so she turns to pout at Love. "So can I steal your appletini?" She asks, fluttering her fake eyelashes at the gray haired woman.

Cameron Cambridge is a hot mess at the moment. Struggling into her outfit in the dressing room comes with much swearing and cursing as she goes through two pairs of stockings before managing to get a pair on that don't stretch or run. Because god damn that is a chore tonight. Looking in the mirror, the newest dancer at the Cabaret toussels her hair manually a bit to get that 'just rolled out of bed and I look like this without trying' style. Cherry-flavored, clear lipgloss is applied to her kissers, pressing them together and then puckering up or her reflection.

"Show time, Cam. Don't trip."

Exiting from the dressing room, the tall, leggy brunette is reaching over six feet now with her three-inch heels on. The lingerie she wears is opaque enough around the parts it needs to be to tease without showing, large swaths of semi-see-through lace covering her stomach, sides, and back. When you don't have it, you cheat and fake it till you make it, so the bustier lifts and enhances what cleavage she can scrap together, while the garter belt around her waist holds her stockings up. She tries not to be self-conscious about the fact that all her ass is hanging out as she creeps behind the bar as well as one can creep in stilettos.

Her purse is held in both hands as she grimaces to Love and gestures at the bar itself. "Can I keep this back here? Is that allowed?" In that quiet voice of a new girl who does not want to be too overheard asking what might be stupid questions. "And... do you know 'Mae'? A friend told me I should find her when I started here."

Scratch that 'casual pat-down.' Viktor got attention to the inside of his thighs that normally you'd have to tip for. At least he takes it in good humor, throwing the bouncer a slightly incredulous look and a "Really, man? On a bike?" as he laughs the notion away. Free and clear of that, the bar is most absolutely his first port of call. Throwing the most scant of glances towards the stage, he slips in to a spot some ways down from the bunch talking this or that about some festival, the guy in the suit sounding a little like this is his grand plan to run for office. At least, that's the conclusion Viktor comes to, what with only hearing 'I have-' 'City Council' and 'Committee' over the general noise and hubbub of the place.

Resting his arms up on the surface, he doesn't even make a move to try and summon one of the staff for a drink, instead glancing up high on the walls to see how many speakers he can count. And if you think that's a cover for the fact he's totally, one hundred percent trying to eavesdrop in a noisy joint like this... You're right but don't call him out on it he's very fragile inside.

"I need to get mine redone, and I was thinking sparkle infused. I've seen some really rad micro-glitter tips." Love says to Mae on her way back after dropping the ice bucket. "The PNW might not be the best for motorcycles, but motorcycles still love the PNW." She's off down the other end of the bar trading info with the other staff behind it. There are some nods, a couple of gestures, and then a laugh. Love returns to her end, which happens to be the farthest from stage.

"Yes, we'll take commissions." She says this without having talked to the other artists. She's fairly certain it's a done deal. One thing about making a living in the arts is you always say yes and then you figure it out. She slides a hand into her back pocket and pulls out a micro business card, half-size. It's just a detail of a painting, a colorful, hauntingly lit portrait of a woman. On the back is her name Love Covey Liven and a number, and her email. She slides that across the bar to Byron. "Let me know what you're thinking and we'll handle the masks. If you have a costumer, we can work with them for matching details." She grins at Mae. "Girl." And to Byron, "She has ideas, don't let her fool you." She slides her Appletini to the woman. "Yes. I'll make another." Easy.

She reaches over to take Cam's bag. "Sure, I got you, babe." She passes over a glass of water in case she needs it. Pretty much all the staff ask for them at some point in the night. "Need a drink before you go on?"

On the way to stow the bag in hand, she leans on the bar by Vik. "Hey. Who let you in?" If she wasn't smiling after she said that, it really would sound like she was about to bounce him off the bar and then out of the bar. "What can I get you?"

Looking between Love and Zoiya now, Byron isn't afraid to state, "I have a feeling that the Platinum Cabaret is going to be the best dressed local business during the festivities." Downing the remainder of his martini, having saved the olive for last, he says after some chewing, "Really, I can't wait to see what you all come up with." With his chair swiveled so that he's facing the stage, his lean frame resting against the bar, he tosses in, "The mystery and fantasy of the event really does leave everything up to the imagination."

It isn't too long before another abruptly joins them, dressed in her dancer's attire, something which does draw his attention. It's more than clear to him that Cameron is the new girl. No need to make her feel self-conscious especially when it looks like she's preparing herself to hit the stage at some point soon.

"I'm Mae." She says as she drags the appletini toward her so she can pick it up and drink from it. She's wearing a sparkly black unitard and a pair of thigh-high suede boots. She smiles toward Cameron and beckons her closer with a curling finger. "Are you the woman that Dylan texted me about earlier?" She takes a sip of her appletini and gives her a slow once over from Cameron's nose to her toes. "You picked a hot outfit, you look good!" There is enough going on right now that she doesn't register Love talking to Viktor, thankfully she's not bouncing anyone off the bar right now.

She grins toward Byron, a demure lowering of her lashes at his compliment. "If nothing else, we'll be the most flamboyant." She is almost done with her second appletini, but she's done on stage for the evening. Lap dances and table dances are the only things in her future.

"Oh, I could us only about a dozen or so." Cameron quips with an easy, if tense, tight smile on her thick lips. Lips she wets as she hands her bag over to Love for safekeeping. Then down at the glass of water. Slowly a hand comes up to clasp the cool container, pulling it closer, then to her lips to sip at it. Yup, ice water. It'll probably make sense to her later. After she's spent a few rounds on stage under the lights. "Thanks. Um... a Tom Collins? Do you make those here?"

While Love meanders down to help actual, paying customers, the brunette looks at Viktor, then Byron, flashing the latter an amiable smile when he looks her way, and either of whom she should probably be doing her job and trying to entice right about now. Zoiya saves her from this fate for now by speaking up. Cam almost looks relieved that she's done so!

The Wiccan moves closer like the curved finger commands her to, sliding down along the bar on one elbow until she's standing for her inspection. "Probably. The one getting some art from him that freaked him out over coffee? That's me." A look down at herself, and then back up, Cameron gives a bob of her eyebrows before grabbing her chest and trying to lift. "Thanks. I tried telling Mister Williams that no one was going to go for the flat girl, but he was so... convincing." Brown eyes narrow as they flick suspiciously off to the side, as if the man were standing right there.

"So I'm trying to overcompensate with legs and ass." She holds out a hand after she's done fondling herself. "I'm Cameron. Cam. Er, well, Destiny. Is that a good name? I just kind of went cliched with it. Anyway, uh, he said you were a good person to get tips from?"

"Y'know they just leave the door open? It's like anyone could walk in and get felt up by a bouncer." Vik takes the greeting thrown his way in a thinly-smiled stride, eyes pulling away from Cam's appearance and the attention she grabs by doing so to flash a slightly wistful look towards the door. "I feel like I should have got his number. There was chemistry there. He's got tender hands."

See, guys? Vik's lovely. There's never any need to bounce him off of a bar.

Turning to look at the person mostly likely to do just that, Vik's eyes settle on Love. And then the bar, checking out the stock as he rubs a thumb along his chin, considering. "You make a passable fireball, I'll let you take the bike around the parking lot."

Park comes rushing into the club with a combination of run and bounce. Already dressed for work - booty shorts and club t-shirt - she weaves her way through the tables towards the bar. Making sure to avoid any pools of beer and other liquids on the way. She is still terrified of another toupee incident. "Hey!" she grins and waves to her familiar co-workers. "Am I late? Sorry, moving house and everything. Mae!!" A hug for the dancer if allowed. "You look totally amazing."

Byron gets a curious look; way better dressed than most of their clientele. Maybe Antonio is trying that internet advertising? A wave for Love. "Such a wonderful name" Park sighs about Love, mostly to herself. "Music okay for everyone? Who's up next on stage?"

"I'm really glad you came in with this tonight, Byron. I think it'll get all the girls talking, and I'm personally very excited to work on it. I own a few Venetian masks." Her interest is established, apparently. She looks back with a laugh after what Mae says. "We will no doubt be the most flamboyant." As for things left up the imagination, well. Some things will be. Others, not so much.

"I like those boots, Mae." Love leans on the bar from her side, both arms against it now that she's hidden the purse out of customer reach. "What size are you?" Oh lord. To Cam, Love says, "That's a good lip color on you." She smiles warmly to the new dancer. "I can. One Tom Collins coming up." She pulls a bottle of gin, a collins class, and a fresh shaker of ice. Simple syrup, ice, lemon juice. Shake, shake, shake.

"Would you prefer to be felt up by someone else in the room?" Love's reply to Vik is a pointed question, followed by, "That definitely costs extra. The bouncers do it for free, bless them." She tips her head and adds, "You let me know which one it was, and I'll see if I can play matchmaker." Yeah, she's going along with this whole business. When he says the bit about the bike, she merely watches him for a beat, straining Cam's drink into an ice-laden collins glass. She garnishes it with a lemon wheel & a cherry. "Hold that thought."

While Byron came here on business, he was rather enjoying his time in good company with a good drink in him. "I don't doubt that all." He says in high spirits. "Out of most of the businesses in town, it's this place that makes the most sense to transformed into a house of debauchery, Venetian style."

Look, when someone mentions their assets and physically draws attention to them, people are going to look. Thorne is one of those people, this curiosity in his eyes at first, but when his gaze lifts and the briefly meet with Cameron's, he'll at least, give her a cordial enough smile. Sure, he was witness to that, but he's being polite about it.

"Good, good." He says turning back to Love, allowing the women to help work things out especially for the newcomer. "I apologize for the late notice. But I had my hands full with... other important matters and I was only recently able to come back to this one." Then more people come and join and it becomes a big party! While Viktor gets a brief glance, his attention flickers in Park's direction as well. Business surely has picked up.

Of course Mae lets Park give her a hug, she squeezes the girl back firmly before she gives her a kiss on the cheek. She turns to Cameron and blinks a few times. "Babe, men like all kinds of girls. Big, little, curvy and not. You just flare out your personality, and you'll get tips, well the money kind. You .. want tips from me? Dancing tips?" Her eyebrows are raised slightly, and she nods slowly, her lips tilted into a grin. "I'd be more than happy to give you tips, work is probably not the best place for it, but we can always meet at the dance studio sometime this weekend if you're up for it."

She glances down at her boots and winks at Love. "Bought them a few weekends ago, I wear an 8, but I buy things in a 9, just in case I want some toe wiggle room." Her eyes shift to Byron as Love speaks to him, trying not to grin wider. "We work best under pressure here, it's the nature of our work at times." She sips again at her appletini and leans in to softly ask Love, "What's a fireball?"

Park's arrival causes Cameron's Regonition Senses to kick in, and she squints at the woman as she hugs on Zoiya. "It's... not going to be 'Baby Shark', is it?" The question is asked with a teasing smirk on her lips and a quirked eyebrow that arches imperially towards her hairline. "I don't go on for a little bit, but I'd never say no to some pop-rock."

Her smile is shot at love, one that highlights her ridiculous cheekbones. At least her lips can bring in the compliments! "Oh. Thanks. It's actually new, trying it out for the first time tonight. Probably not the best idea to experiment at work, but, well, if I made good decisions I'd be living somewhere else."

Byron's look is noted, and the way Cameron's lips curve in a smile towards him is very different, sinfully flirtatious as she rakes her eyes down, and then back up his form at the bar. She is on the clock, after all. And at least her skinny ass can draw a look! That's gotta count for something.

Back to Mae, the flirtatious Smile de Seduction gone, replaced by slightly-raised eyebrows and an attentive look. "Yeah. Yeah, totally. Dylan said you were the best one here. I would love to learn from The Master." One can almost HEAR the way she capitalizes the M and the T. "Thanks, that'd be so great." The mention of the fireball comes up as Love finishes off making the Tom Collins.

Cameron is almost giddily making grabby hands at the drink. "Isn't that the really spicy one? The Fireball?"

Viktor catches just enough of Byron's words to raise a brow thataway, eyes lingering on Cam for just a moment as that whole little display plays out. "Most sense, sure. Hospital staff roll deep, though. You'd be surprised." Or traumatized. Probably the latter. God forbid how patients would react to that getup, as well. Scratch that. Terrible idea.

If he notices the reactions to his order choice, he doesn't react to them, instead taking a moment to bask in the sheer exuberance that emanates from Park as she comes bouncing in, flicking Love's command a thumbs up.

"Hey, Mee." Love finger-waves to the DJ, grinning. She slides Cam's tall glass across the bar. "On the house for your first night. Let me know if you need anything else? Water anytime you need it." She asides to Byron as she takes a moment to chit chat with the staff, one hand going under the bar for the bottle of tabasco. "We'll make it work. None of us sleep." She laughs. "Anything for the house of debauchery."

"Men like everything if it has enough sweet or sass." Love's saying that as she passes Mae again. "We should talk shoes," she adds. Seems like she's probably similar in shoe size then. "Yeah, it's spicy. A fireball is a burning face of burnination that will make you wish you never started shit if someone throws it in your face. It's not the hottest thing I've ever put in my mouth, but it will clear your sinuses. Cinnamon schnapps and tabasco." Just like a Christmas chili pepper in your mouth. "There are several versions. This is the gnarliest."

"Dylan knows everybody. That bodes well for our costumes." Love makes her way down the bar to pour the red, red drink. "You like it stirred or straight?"

It only takes a moment for Park to recognise Cameron. "No 'Baby Shark'" she promises with a blushing giggle before giving the new dancer a hug. She likes hugs. "'Crocodile Rock' would probably not work either. We have to go all sensual and stuff. Love your outfit." Park gives Cameron some space before quickly adding, "Oh, I don't dance. I DJ. I don't have any tits or ass."

A wave for Viktor. "Welcome to the Cabaret. Ooh...I should probably do a remix of 'Cabaret'." Her mind is at work for a few moments before shaking her head from her reverie. "Can I have a drink please, Love? I feel brave today. Maybe something with a bit of a kick? Or, you know, maybe not a kick, more of a sleep spasm. You can choose."

Park glances around with a look of excitement. "Dressing up? Who's dressing up? Who's Dylan? And Venetian? Like the blinds? Oh...we're doing an eighties evening when all the lights go through blinds and the air is full of dry ice fog. That would be so cool."

With his phone going off again, the sound of another message arriving, Byron reaches into his pocket to give it another look. Rather than return the message immediately, he simply rolls his eyes, this time setting the phone onto the counter as he flips open his wallet to pull out a few bills. He's a generous tipper. This he sets his empty martini glass. Rising from his seat, he automatically buttons up his suit jacket before leaning forward to collect his brief case. "As much as I'd love to stay," This is said to everyone there, most likely, but mostly to Love because she's the one who offered him another drink, "It looks like my business isn't done for the day after all." With brief case in one hand, he picks up the deposited phone with the other. "It was a pleasure meeting with all of you." There's a look given to Love and then Mae and then Park when it looks like she's a part of that crew. When his attention is drawn back to Cameron, his grin broadens, "Good luck tonight." Then to the collective, especially those who are already planning out their Masquerade costumes, he announces, "I'll keep in touch."

"You're the bartender, and I've got a feeling you pride yourself on knowing that before you even ask." Viktor replies to the question from Love, tossing a departing wave in Byron's direction and a greeting one to Park. He even turns his head as if to reply to the welcome, but then her mind is off on a creative little jaunt, and it's a little obvious that whatever words he had might as well be muted under the music for all the attention they'd get.

Not that he minds. He simply shrugs, glances to Love, then gives a nod in the direction of the two people asking after his drink once she's explained it out to them. "Spot on. Although if it's not going through a shaker and poured into a rocks glass, I am raising questions."

Mae nods at Love, they're approaching the next step of friendship. Shoe sharing. Beware, shit is getting serious. "Nice to meet you Byron, hope to see you again soon!" She pipes up, waving in his direction before she turns back to Cameron. "So how long have you been dancing, in general?" She asks, fiddling with her drink as she uses those nice boots to push out a stool for the other dancer. "You sure you wanna pick a Friday night to go dry on the stage, your first time? Brave. Very brave." She'll probably make nice tips though. She leans a little bit, watching VIktor as she carries on this conversation with Cameron, wanting more to see his reaction to the drink he ordered more than anything else.

Love has to pop the little plastic thing out of the top of the bottle that keeps too much chili fire liquid from splashing into things. She uses a small knife and curses a soft, "Aw, fuck," when ie goes flying and plinks off the next bartender down. Doot doot. Didn't do it. She turns away and goes about hiding the evidence, despite a spatter of orange-red across her hand. Into the shaker goes tabasco. Immediately on top goes a layer of cinnamon schnapps, filtering down through ice. Capped shaker gets the twenty-second shake over her shoulder. "No one ever orders this unless they're already drunk and lost a bet."

"A sleep spasm?" Love laughs and says to Mee, "I've been working on a seasonal drink for our Sinners & Saints night. Maybe you can try that and let me know what you think? Do you like pomegranates?" She calls, "Goodnight!" to Byron, and, "Thanks. Be in touch."

Once the metal flashes cold enough, she strains the red-orange fire-juice into a rocks glass. With the fingertips of her other hand, she slides it to Vik, glossy black nails ticking against the glass.

Cameron is glancing Viktor's way just as he looks at her, catching the tail end of his wandering eyes. She bobs her brows at him and raises her hand in a little finger-waggling wave to let him know: 'Yes. I see you.' But before it's time to earn that money, it's time to drink this drank.

"Oh my God, thank you." Cameron sighs with relief as the glass is slid towards her and she's informed that it is super, duper, extra free of charge. "You are now my most favorite person in this club and I owe you." She lifts a hand, close to her chest, to extend a warning finger towards Love. "Don't squander it, though. I don't give out my undying love and admiration lightly."

But at the description of the drink that Viktor has ordered, she makes a face, drumming her fingers on the bar a couple times with a grimace. She looks down towards the man and raises her glass in a silent toast to that brave, brave soul who enjoys setting his mouth on fire. She is far too much of a sissy for that.

She's juuuuust about to drink when Park swoops in for a hug. "Oh. Oh, okay. This is happening." Careful not to spill, the willow dancer slinks a skinny arm around Park's shoulders and gives the woman a squeeze. She rubs up and down her bicep, and then they separate. "That's okay, I don't really have the energy to keep up with Elton John right now anyway. And hey," She looks at Park, then down at herself at the mention of T&A. "That makes two of us."

As Byron makes his way out, Cameron gives him a small grin and a murmur of, "Thanks." before she tilts her head back and downs her Tom Collins. As she swallows, the glass is placed down on the counter and she tosses her head in the direction the man has departed in. "I probably should have jumped on him. Looks like money." The liquor hits her for a moment, warming and burning its way through her core as she places a hand to the base of her throat and lets it work its nerve-calming magic. "Not, like, ever. I did some cam modeling. You know the kind." She replies to Zoiya as she slides into the offered stool.

"Gotta start where the money is, right? You? You seem like you know what you're doing already. Done this anywhere else?"

"I like pomegranates" Park nods ebulliently to Love. "Ooh, am I gonna be a guinea pig? Cool. They're sooo cute." Her eyes wide in eager anticipation for the drink...once Love has finished with the others.

A giggle and shake of her head at Cameron. "Oh please, you have boobs." She even points out the cleavage on display for the benefit of the dancer...and any male onlookers. "And you're totally pretty. You'll make lots of money. Cam modelling? Of course you did, your name is Cameron. What song do you want to try for your first dance?" Mae is right, Friday night is a brave night to do your first dance.

Park waves to the well-dressed gentleman leaving before smiling to Mae and Love. "He seems nice. " Before she insults Viktor with that statement, she adds to him, "You seem nice too."

"So you're not a dancer? Your best bet until we do some lessons? Just sway back and forth, shake your ass.. touch your tits and smile a lot. Take things off slowly and maybe slap someone if they get uppity." This is real advice people. Mae watches Cameron drink her drink for a few minutes, and then she adds. "One lesson and you'll be shaking what your mama gave you. Honestly it's just finding a beat and not being afraid to show your body. If you're comfortable with yourself, you can fake it until you make it."

She shifts her gaze toward Park, giggling and about to be given alcohol. That will surely make the giggles better, won't it? "Yes, Byron seems very nice, and very good looking." She glances with Park toward Viktor, and just barely manages to hold in the giggles that follow Park's statement.

Viktor's eyes are on the rest of the club while his drink is mixed up, missing the slight bartender abuse as he turns to lean up against the bar, forgoing any kind of seat for now. He can hear the shaking off to one side, at least, expressing approval that's caught short when park throws the compliment his way. "Haven't done much of anything yet, but thank you kindly, Miss."

Viktor hasn't really done much of anything here yet, which technically includes not trying to grope anyone, throw out unsolicited catcalls, or make demands, so... Yeah, it's possible the compliment is accurate.

When the glass touches his hand, he turns back to Love, reaching in to the pocket of his jacket for his wallet and scooping out enough notes to cover it and probably then some before actually, y'know, drinking it. It's not a shot. People who do fireball shots just want to get it over and done with. In a rocks glass, you've got to take swigs. Which is what he does.

And that's a thumbs up, right there. Cinnamon and burning goes down like nothing at all. He doesn't even have to wipe his lip clean. "That's three circuit's worth at least."

Love pulls together a few ingredients down the bar, dipping a little spoonful of pomegranate seeds into the belly of a stemless wine glass. Into a shaker goes: 2 ounces of vodka, about half as much pomegranate juice, a little lime juice, and some honey syrup. She shakes it thoroughly to mix and chill it, strains it into the glass with the seeds, topping it up with ginger beer. She gives it a light stir, then slides it across the bar to Mee. "Taste tester, drink one. It's a pomegranate take on a Moscow Mule."

She says to Cameron, "I will have you know that I never squander undying affections, admiration, or cash." She adds, in case Cam missed it. "Mee's a sweetpea."

"He does seem nice," she nods in agreement regarding Byron, and also Vik. "He does too." That smile lingers from before. She chuckles. "Touch your tits and smile a lot and smack them if they get uppity is the best dating advice I've ever received."

She turns back to Viktor as he swigs his drink. And doesn't even pull a face when he does so. She waits, and watches him for a while.

"Well thank you... Mee, was it?" Cameron replies to the exuberant DJ with a little laugh, leaning on one arm against the bar from atop her stool. "You are just cute as a button, you know that? Mm. Let's see..." Her head tilts back, eyeballs rolling to the ceiling to try and think about what she should do her first dance to. "You know, one of the first things I learned after I left home was 'don't mess with an artist's work'. I trust you, Mee. Just give me something rock and pumping and I will put myself in your very tiny hands."

Cam gives a chuckle at Mae's advice, nodding her head as she tucks her chin into her palm and covers her mouth with her fingers, elbow of that arm propped on the bar. "That is exactly what I did in my audition. I just kind of got mostly naked and pretended I was a snake trying to slither up that damned pole over there. It was... well, here I am. Must have been something boner-inspiring in there."

"Or I got a pity-job. And I'll take that. I'll take it all day."

Yet as they all watch Viktor down his shot, all are left sadly bereft of entartainment. They don't even get to see the spectacle of what happens when some of that liquid goes up his nose or down the wrong pipe or something. The new girl seems almost disappointed by the lack of a good show.

She glances between Love and Zoiya, sharing a grin. "Okay, let me try this advice out."

Turning, Cameron oozes off of the bar stool, heading just a couple of seats over to where Viktor sits. There's a new pep in her step that wasn't there before, her hips rolling with every swaying step. Stripper Mode Engaged, probably. Approaching from the side, and a little behind, Cameron lifts her hands as she gets near Viktor...

And grabs her own breasts through the lingerie. She locks eyes with the man, and stares at him for a moment. "This, uh... This working for you? My new friends said this was the money maker." Squeeze, squeeze. "How we doing on that?"

Her hands fall from her chast with a light laugh, one coming to rest where the male's shoulder meets his neck, thumb lightly grazing back and forth over skin, the other on his bicep. "I'm just kidding. Hi. I'm Destiny. Would you help a new girl out and buy a round for all of my friends here? I'm trying to impress."

"You can call me Mee or Park, both are okay. So we have Mae Love Mee" Park adds with an innocent grin before work talk. "Rock and pumping?" she considers this before looking to the wiser wonder of Mae. "Most of the music I've heard here has been more the slow sensual kind of thing. Okay to rock out?" She looks back to Cameron. "Not sure if bouncing gets the boys going over a groove, you know what I mean. Though I guess some guys love to watch things bounce."

A drink to try! Park smiles at Love, her expression full of trust. She lifts the glass, sniffs at it, then offers it to the others in a toast. "Face down, ass up, that's the way we like to...drink." A big mouthful and Park's watering eyes twitch in surprise. "Sweet" she growl gasps before offering a thumbs up to Love. "That's real nice. Honest." Park looks a little unsteady on her feet but she's hanging in there. A curious look to see if breast squeezing works on Viktor - she will take notes.

"Ooh...you think Byron is handsome" Park teases Mae, her words a tiny bit slurred. "I can see why he'll be coming back."

Mae takes up the new drink, sniffing at it before she takes a taste. "I'm a slut for pomegranate juice, so this is very yes. The honey gives it some good balance." She pauses, sipping again before she murmurs. "Can I sign up to be your official taste tester from now on, Love? I don't even need to be paid, getting fucked up with yummy drinks is payment enough."

She watches Cameron walk away, her crossed legs swinging to and fro slowly. "Once she's on stage, I'll go out and start trolling for lap or table dances. I'm tired, but I should just keep moving around until last call or I'll just sit here and get fucking wasted on drinks." Her eyes shift between Viktor and Cameron, her lips pressed together so she doesn't giggle at the cheek.

"Every time I take a few days off I miss shit like this." She gestures toward Cameron, a fond smile on her face. Then Park speaks up and Mae quirks a brow in her direction. "Honey, I think a lot of men are handsome, but yes. I do think Byron was good looking. Money spices it up just enough to make him really interesting." She doesn't hide her motivations, at least.

Love passes a few more of those pomegranate drinks around, so there's a little taste for anyone who wants to take some. "Originally these are meant to be garnished with rosemary, but... I don't think I really like it that way." She provides a little plate of rosemary sprigs, too, in case they'd like to try it that way.

"You got it, Mae. I've found you have excellent taste." She leans against the bar somewhere between the gathered, Vik on one side, most of the employees on the other. She leaves most of the bar to the other bartenders. "Did you get home ok after the pool?" Obviously she did, but Love's just checking, and that question's quietly asked. She grins a bit after.

Because she's watching Cam roll up on Vik with her proposition/request.

Good thing Viktor's already got his wallet out to pay for the drink, because it means that when Cameron give a practical field test of Mae's advice, he can cover the urge to laugh by pulling out a few more notes to tuck them almost delicately into the line of that bustier. It's okay, she's standing mostly between the rest of the group and him, so the expression is hidden. Probably. Apart from the bar staff. "Y'know, I've gotta give points for enthusiasm. But saying 'Uh' in the middle of the sentence?" His hand comes up, avoiding brushing the one pressed against his chest to waggle his palm back and forth. "Might make folks think you're not that comfortable."

He sure seems to be, bringing that drink of his up for another go around, leaning in once another few sips have been taken to be sure he can be heard over the music. "Lean in, whisper the dumbest thing you can imagine, and everyone gets a round."

"Who doesn't love something that moves a little faster now and then?" Cameron says in Park's direction as she continues to graze the back of Viktor's hairline with her thumb. "Will you tell her? Linkin Park can be danced to just as well as anything else. And everyone needs a gimmick. Maybe I'll be the Punk Rock girl. Yeah? No?"

The dark-haired young woman slides her gaze to Mae, quirking her lips. "Is that the best time to do it? When someone's on stage? Makes sense, I guess. Everyone's staring up at the latest hottie on stage, getting warm in their business. Looking for something a bit more personal." She's nodding as she talks, like she's talking herself into this train of thought, whether the logic will hold up or not. Maybe it's one of those things she learned in the valley, like the way she puts upward inflections on certain sentences that make her sound like she's asking rather than telling.

The bills stuffed in between her breasts are delicately plucked out, sliding a hand down her leg to tuck them under her garter belt. Traditional storage spot.

There are drinks to be tested, and Cameron Cambridge does not pass up anything that's free. Ever. At any point. She shoots love a too-happy smile as a little glass is slide her way, picking it up with the hand that was formerly on Viktor's bicep. But soon she's contemplating a challenge just before drinking.

Her brown-eyed gaze rolls up to the ceiling for a moment, lips quirked to the side. Apparently she figures something out, giving his shoulder a little squeeze as she leans in. Moist lips press against the rim of his ear, followed by the flick of a wet tongue.

"Hey, stud. I lost my teddybear. Will you sleep with me?"

Park is blushing, again, at Mae's upfront reasons for being interested in Byron. "Money isn't everything" she points out, naively. "Ooh, I can do Linkin Park. Yeah, I can see that...stripping wise. Sorry, exotic dancing. And half the band name is pretty good" she adds with a grin. "This drink is really nice, Love." Another sip before a curious glance at pool talk. "Oh, did you do your skinny dipping? I bet that was so cool." She puts two and two together and gets sixty nine. "Did you dip in Byron's pool?" They did say they were going to break in and swim in a rich guy's pool.

Thank goodness she didn't hear what Cameron said to Viktor! Rather than dying of shock - Cameron lost her teddy bear! - Park takes her drink and heads for the DJ booth. Linkin Park coming up.

Mae watches the show, her eyes shifting over to Love briefly before she focuses back on Viktor and Cameron. While that conversation goes on, a man approaches Mae, leaning in to speak to her quietly. She turns to grin at him, taking the money offered and tucking it into her unitard. "Off for a lap dance." She murmurs, shifting off of her stool to follow the man toward the darker room. "Cameron, leave your phone number at the bar, I'll text you tomorrow to see about dancing." She points at Love. "I'll message you a little later to find out what take out we're gonna have at the bar!"

Love just stands there tipped against the bar, looking between Viktor and Cameron. She can probably hear most of what they're saying to each other by virtue of her position. She blinks at the last thing Cameron says, then flicks a glance over to Mae. The bartender reaches under the bar and comes up with a packet of salty chips. She rips it open, and dumps it into a little bowl shortly placed on the bar. She pops one into her mouth and pushes the rest toward Vik.

"Glad you like it, Mee. And... um. I'm not sure whose pool it was, but I don't think it was Byron's pool." She looks from Park to Mae as the latter heads off for a lap dance. "Yeah, you bet. I'll think up some options, price them out, and we can decide which we need." What goes best with margaritas and requires the least manual dexterity to eat. "And about the other thing." The masquerade.

"Mee, maybe a little Hole between sets?"

Viktor considers the attempt for a moment, giving a little quirk at the corner of his mouth to the feel of a tongue running along the edge of his ear, leaning a little more weight into the bar as Cameron gives his challenge the ol' college try.

It doesn't seem to impress him. For a second, there's nothing. His expression doesn't change, the rest of his doesn't really move apart from the calm breathing she could feel with that hand on his shoulder. But that only lasts a second. The first cracks come as his lips purse slightly, bottom teeth coming up to snag and hook his top lip as a very tiny little choked squeak escapes through the gap. And then a little snort. Then the inhale to end all inhales before he blows a long, long calming breath that just about manages to keep him from breaking out in a groaned laugh. Just. About. See? He's fine. It's fine. Viktor's made of sterner stuff than that.

Which means the overheard 'A little hole between sets' has him pulling out a whole bunch of notes, slapping them down on the bar, and then nodding to Cameron with a face barely holding it together. "Rounds for everyone. DONE."

Straightening up, Cameron downs her pomegranate-based drink with a look on her face that says she's trying to decide whether she likes it or not. After a moment, she tilts her head to one side, then the other, expression brightening as she puts the glass down with only a little grimace as the alcohol slides down and settles in her stomach. "That's pretty not bad." Maybe that means good in Camspeak.

The self-styled Punk Rock Girl shoots Park a thumbs-up as she heads off to queue up the song. "Oh. That prooooobably means I'm coming up soon."

Cameron waits. She waits for a laugh that seems like it would never come. Damn, that was her best dumbass pickup line. The nuclear missile in her arsenal! She had nothing dumber than that. But just as she's starting to think that it was a flub, out comes that barest of cracks.

"Boom." Cameron imitates a mic drop as she slides the hand on Viktor's shoulder around his neck in a one-armed choke-hug. She presses her lips against his cheek, warm and wet, leaving behind a bit of a stain of lipgloss. She smooths it away with her thumb.

"Thanks, you made my night. I have to go dance now, but you save enough for a lapdance, yeah?" She gives the man another squeeze before she disengages, sashaying her way back down along the bar and towards the stage. A wink and a finger-gun are shot towards Love. "Save me one of the drinks! Be arr be!"

As the first notes of her song come through the speakers, Cameron steps onto the stage, a hand on the pole, swinging herself around it with a dreamy-eyed smile.

"I will make sure to play your Hole, Love" Park nods enthusiastically, offering a thumbs up as she heads to the booth and starts lining up tracks to play. She watches Cameron dance for a while - so sexy. So at ease with her sensuality. One day, Park will have that ability. It will be the craziest night the retirement home will have ever known.

Once everything is programmed, Park bounces back down to the bar, her empty glass left for one of the barkeeps. "When are you going to dance, Love?" she asks as the music changes. "Oh, there's your Hole for everyone."

Love can't help but laugh as Cam takes off for the stage, and she shoots Viktor a glance as he calls out a round. Instead of mixing complicated drinks, she pours a tray of tequila shots, putting them out on the bar with lime wedges and a little bit of salt. She licks the back of her hand, sprinkles it with salt. A glances is cast after Cam while she sashays to the stage.

Love licks the salt from her hand, shoots a shot of Patrón, and eats an orange wedge. She turns to start off down the bar, and then what Park says to what she said plays through her mind. She pauses, glances over her shoulder, the orange rind in hand. There's a long moment before she tosses it in the trash, shakes her head, and says, "Phrasing."

And then Park mentions Hole again. "Phrasing." Jesus wept.

"... I um." Love does her best to keep her face straight. "I don't really dance. I did once. It ended in tears."

A lot's happening here, and while Viktor seems just as at home as anywhere else, joining Cameron in the hug, not fussing when she fixes his cheek of lip gloss, he's struggling right now, making sure Love has the cash slid her way to handle the drinks he promised to pay for. Along with a glance that comes at Park's insistent Hole talk.

Wait, no, second verse, hits harder than the first.

His eyes plea her way. 'Help me. Please. Say something that isn't-' Nope. Not even the talk of dance helps. Because of her face. He can see the fractures. May god have mercy on us all.

Phrasing? Park is not sure what she did wrong but she will make sure she doesn't do it again. "Who was in tears after your dancing?" A pause. "Was that phrased okay?" She sits there at the bar, sweet smile on her face, humming along to the music. "You tend to forget how tight Hole were. I mean, they got a bit looser later on which wasn't as good, but at the start, totally tight Hole. No wonder you love it, Love."

How tight Hole were.

You know what? Love goes ahead and reaches for another shot. Salt, lick. Vodka. This time she punishes herself with a lime wedge. "I was in tears and the dude I fell on was in tears." She tosses the rind into the trash, licking that tart citrus off her lips. She brushes her thumb across her lips. Lime is awful with shots, but it's the more popular option. She clears her throat, "Thanks for the Hole, Mee, my sweet." By the time she says that, it's absolutely with a straight face.

"I do." She holds her hands up. "I love it." Guilty as charged, ma'am.

Viktor is obviously very, very drunk. That's the only reasonable explanation for his head dropping into a crooked elbow on the bar. His shoulders heave, showing that he must be sobbing. He's obviously a depressive drunk.

Yes. That explains everything here.

It takes him a little while to ever-so-slightly lift his head up to look at the two of them, a slight hint of water around the corners of those shockingly blue eyes. "But... But we have to remember, Hole isn't for everyone."

Park nods sagely to Viktor. "That's true. Not everyone likes Hole. Some people are like, you know, totally against it. They have no interest in getting into Hole at all." She shrugs at such people. "Oh well. If they prefer stiff, that's up to them. I like to be flexible." A smile for Love's love of music. "You're so cool." Everyone who works at this place is cooler than Park.

A little frown as she notices the water in Viktor's blue eyes. "Are you okay? Oh, are you here because of a bad relationship?" That does attract a lot of people to bars...and strip clubs.

"You know what, Mee?" Love leans against the bar. When she does, she reaches over to touch Vik's arm. "You're the coolest. And I enjoy your choices between sets. You have a refreshing outlook on life and everything to do with it." She gives the blue-eyed man's arm a rub, withdrawing her hand once she's sure he's more or less okay there.

"I'd say it's the fireball getting to him, but who knows." She looks to Vik. "Are you here because of a bad relationship?" The grey-eyed woman takes a moment to clean up a few empty glasses from the bar, replacing bottles she used recently too.

"Oh, gawd." Viktor mutters, tilting his head back as a hand wipes his face, eyes shining as the smile he wears threatens to kill him through sheer exertion. "Thank you for running that in to the ground. I think if we'd left it hanging it would have popped into my head on Dead Man's Curve and i'd be sliding into a tree."

Like Viktor's ride home isn't going to be interesting enough as is, try to imagine him explaining to a cop that no, nothing ran out in to the road, he was just infatuated with Hole.

Speaking of that fireball, Vik's hand comes out to help him finish off the drink, the red residue left behind in the glass as he taps it down onto the bar, sliding it towards the rear so that Love can add it to the other she's collecting. "No, no. I'm fine. Just.... Hole." That last word is so very tiny. "I'm here because I live up the road and never once checked it out. And the pourhouse is having Karaoke night, so I'll brave the mark-up to avoid 'Livin' On A Prayer' for an evening."

Park smiles proudly at Love's compliments...though, yes, there is blushing too at the praise. She still has no idea what is 'wrong' about discussing Hole. "Oh! I was at the karaoke night. A friend of mine sang a Hooters song. Do you like Hooters..." Did she get Viktor's name? Unlikely, so she will leave that question missing his name but directed at him. "I sang 'Baby Shark'. It was such fun. I don't think anyone did any Bon Jovi."

"You live near here? I didn't think anyone did. But I'm glad you haven't had a bad relationship." Her brow furrows. "Did you want one? Some people like that kind of thing."

At avoid Livin' on a Prayer, Love's pale grey gaze flicks to Park. She regards the woman for a couple of beats, twitches the beginning of a smile, and scoops up Vik's Fireball glass go stow it with the others that need washing. "You sang Baby Shark?" She brushes her fingers across the bridge of her nose, turning around to stow a clinking tub of empties. A fuckload of glassware goes through the wash here every night.

"I've had several of those, and I didn't really like any of them. Sometimes the sex is good and you hang on for a little too long." She pours herself an ice water, tucking a straw into it. "Water anyone?" She fills a glass for Viktor without waiting for him to confirm, since he just drank than monstrosity of a drink.

Viktor accepts the glass of water, downs it, and then scoops up two of the tequila shots to place them in front of him on the bar. Well, he paid for them, it's only fair. "Vik." He finishes Park's question for her. "I had 'And We Danced' stuck in my head for about three weeks straight my final deployment. Our SL thought it was 'morale boosting.' to blast it as loud as he could if we were getting indirect fire. I can't hear it without hearing explosions."

So whether or not he 'likes' The Hooters? Still up in the air. "About three miles up the highway, got a place up there. Most of the properties are abandoned but there's a few of us around. Kind of a pain to bring people back from the bar to, though." It seems folks have second thoughts when the ride home sends them up a dark highway and into the treeline.

"I even did all the moves" Park nods to Love about 'Baby Shark'. "No one threw bottles at me either! They all loved it." That's what a lack of violence means, right? When talk turns to good sex, Park goes a little quiet. She has nothing to add to such conversations.

"Nice to meet you, Vik. I'm Park...or Mee." In case he hadn't picked up on that already. "No car?" she asks, nodding sagely at having resolved why he has trouble taking people home. "Yeah, people would be tired after walking three miles. Probably not in the mood for...umm...(blush) whatever people do when they go home with each other."

Love glances down the bar to check for patrons in need of drinks. Meanwhile, she scoops up tips left for her, including the cash Byron left in that empty glass earlier. She counts out the bits that belong in the register, shoves the rest into her back pocket. "Oh, you served." That's said almost involuntarily, like that piece of information dropped a couple of other ones into place. She doesn't even think that he might ask her what she's getting at. She follows up after a pause with, "Thanks for your service."

Yes, a lack of violence clearly spells adoration. "Who doesn't love Baby Shark?" She seems... somewhat mystified that this went down in a bar type situation, though. "Did you go later in the night when everyone was drinking heavily?"

"I've seen nervous people sing nursery rhymes at a bar late enough in the evening and get an encore demanded. Sometimes folks need what's comfortable." That, or less Bon Jovi. It's possible Vik has issues with a certain artist's discography. "Pleasure, Ms. Park. And no, I've got a bike. And a truck. I sometimes walk into town, though. Cuts about three miles off the trip if you just straight-line it through the forest." Was that a little diversion to help distract the topic from possible sex anecdotes for her benefit? Maybe.

Taking the first of his shots and hitting it dry, without accompaniment, the glass is tapped twice on the bar and flicked about two inches away from him with an index finger that then runs up to his forehead, snapping a little thanks off to Love for her comment. And nothing more. "Ayup."

"We went pretty early" Park muses on the karaoke night. "Went with my bandmates. You know Ico and Lyric" she smiles to Love. "Lyric did this really clever song about trying to sleep with someone and Ico did a Halestorm song...with swearing." A giggle at how much of a rebel he is; from the woman working in a strip club. "My other bandmate, Scott, was the one who liked Hooters. I was going to do 'Baby Got Back' but someone else did it instead."

Viktor's clarification on his travel arrangements has Park confused again. Why wouldn't he be able to take people home? "Oh, you were in the army?" She nods along to Love's words. "Yes, thank you. It must be pretty horrible to be in a war. Can I have a glass of water, Love?"

"Yes, you may, Mee." Love's smiling when she loads a glass up with ice, then fills it to the top with the nozzle behind the bar. "That's a spread of talent you have there. Have you picked a band name yet?" She tucks a straw into the glass and slides it across the bar, cubes tinking lightly on the sides. "With swearing, huh?" Ico the rebel. Her lips twitch. That really isn't the first word that comes to mind for her when she thinks about the club's host.

"What kind of truck?" Is Love asking for any particular reason? It's a mystery. "I'm trying to imagine all the ways you trying to bring people home from the bar go awry. How far up in the woods are we talking?" She tucks the straw into her mouth. "What, is the incline steep or something?" She's spent zero time in the woods around here since she passed the age of 11, and barely remembers what they're like.

Viktor considers explaining that effectively absconding out of town with someone when they're drunk down a highway with no lights and then turning off and driving about eight hundred yards down a dirt road into a clearing with an A-frame property usually unsettles random one-night pickups.

He considers this for a short while. Then he settles for taking his second shot instead. His ride home will be... eventful. That or he'll just walk the damn bike and probably get nailed by a semi. Instead, he just gives Park a casual smile in response to her words, crossing one forearm over the other as he leans at the bar properly. "It was... an interesting way to spend a couple of years, yes." There, that seems a suitably sanitized answer.

"'72 Ford." Comes Love's immediate answer after that, shaking his head a little at the idea of Park going to town on 'Baby Got Back.' "It's the blue and white old bastard." Which might not sound that descriptive, but that's a large chance that most folks have seen it around town, especially with how often it's parked up near the hospital or the bars. It's not a stand-out vehicle, but it's easy enough to notice. "'Bout 7, 800 yards from the road. Winding dirt path. All the things that make someone go 'Yes, I feel totally comfortable right now, at 2am."

"I think we're going to be 'Augmented Reality'" Park replies about the band name. "'Penguin Cafe Orchestra' was up there for a second until I pointed out it was already the name of an actual band." A smile of thanks for the iced water before she has a suck on the straw. "I should talk to Mister Antonio about banning the use of straws. Not good for the environment."

She listens about the truck though such an identification means nothing to her. "I was thinking of getting a moped." That seems pretty rock and roll.

Love considers this for a moment, visualizing the long drive in question. "Kinda like when a dude invites you to see a waterfall, and the walk takes almost two hours through private farmland in Hawaii, and they just keep saying we're almost there, and you're really not. By the time you arrive, you don't know where you are and hope he's not into weird shit."

"72 Ford." Blue and white. "You didn't happen to drive down Elm last night, did you?" No reason. She certainly wasn't drunk off her ass wandering through town in a bikini top and skinny jeans doing dive rolls every time she saw a car because somebody told her not to get caught by the cops for trespass. He saw nothing, right?

"Augmented Reality? Nice. On trend, no? I..." She considers the other name for a beat. "I think you made the right choice." Love pauses again and says, "You could ask him to look into paper straws, but we should keep some plastic bendy ones on hand for accessibility. And also I don't want to see these drunks trying to slob their drinks from the rim and just end up wearing them."

"That.." Viktor runs a finger around the edge of his empty glass, giving Love a distinct look. "is remarkably specific. But yes, I'd think that's about the same feeling. And I was going home down Elm last night, yeah. Why?" Why indeed. Don't worry, Love. He didn't notice someone doing totally radical combat rolls (Read: Faceplants) as he drove past.

At the tentative name of the band, he nods with some approval. "Like it. Nice and simple, could have meaning, could not, will totally have your fans arguing about it on message boards." The straws comment? Unmentioned. Love kinda hit what he'd say, and all he'd have to add would be a rant about corporations and industry. Nobody needs to hear that. Not when he's had tequila. And speaks from the hypocritical ledge of owning two vehicles made before '75. "You should get a moped. Good practice."

For when Park gets a bigger bike, right? Right.

Park glances over at their drooling, drunken customer base before nodding to Love's wisdom. "You're right, they'd be terrible at rimming. Bendy straws are pretty cool." Waterfall viewing in Hawaii? That sounds pretty romantic to Park and she smiles sweetly at Love for a moment. Lucky woman.

"I live on Elm Street now" she points out. "Number nine" she adds; hopefully none of those people into weird shit heard her. A grin for the approval of the moped from Viktor. "Aren't they awesome. Totally pink. I'll have to ask my dad for the money though. Guess I'll need to get good grades for that to happen."

"No reason." Reason, just not one she's going to admit to. Yeah, none of her awesome moves really worked out, mainly because she's not a combat god and also: a bucket of vodka.

"Yeah, I spent most of my teenage years in Hawaii. You do the math." Many a parcel of private property crossed with many a boy, is what it sounds like. Or just one really awkward time. You know, dealer's choice. "It was nice, the waterfall." No commentary on her suitor or how that went, or if it was worth the hike.

"I don't think I've ever been on a moped. Dirt bike, motorcycle, wait, yes. Once. I was very drunk and fell off." She does the dumbest things when she's been drinking. That, friends, is why your friendly neighborhood bartender did only two shots. Her martini was confiscated by a dancer earlier. "I think it was Elm where we found the pool. Either way, I ... uh." She almost said ended up on Elm. "Nice street, that."

Hey, it sounds pretty romantic to Viktor, too, although the fact Love's entire focus was on complimenting the waterfall might be making him form an opinion on how well it went. "Wish I had a waterfall." is all he muses. "Range, firepit, trees. S'about it."

Speaking of home, he should probably be doing his best to get there before any of these shots kick in. Patting his hands down on the bar, he throws Park a nod at her assumption about mopeds being awesome, and throws Love a little grin at the tale of being very drunk and falling off of one. Peeling out a few more bills, Love's tipped a healthy amount. "It's the fact your feet sit flat. Feeling like you're just sitting normally makes you complacent and a little harder to balance."

A few bills go down the bar Park's way, too. "For the music." is the explanation. "Keep that in mind when you get it. All too easy to weeble-wobble." Yes, he just said that. He actually looks a little disturbed he just said that. "Uh, thanks for the lovely evening, Ladies. If any of you hear tale of a guy being nailed by a semi on the highway because he ended up having to walk his bike home, mourn me. And the bike."

That's as good a departure speech as any, flicking the both of them a wave before pulling himself away from the bar to leave.

"Awesome street. And it will soon echo to the sounds of 'Augmented Reality'." The neighbors will love it. "Nice to meet you, Viktor. I'm sure you'll get home fine." The money passed her way gets a curious look before she takes it and gives the departing customer a hug. "Take care of yourself." No g-string bank for Park, she has to slip the cash in her booty shorts. Thankfully, they are so tight that no cash will fall out.

"What math? Hawaii would have been nice to grow up in. I better get back to work and do what they pay me for." They pay her? Park leans over the bar to give Love a hug before its back to the DJ Booth.

"Fire pit and trees are pretty nice, as long as they're far enough away from each other. Made that mistake once." Love glances over at Viktor. He said range. Does he mean range? Like... range? That seems odd to her, a firing range on private property. She scoops up the cash offered her way. "I don't... really remember, but that sounds about right." You're just chilling on your chair and then it moves and off you tumble.

"I'll definitely mourn the bike, babe. I don't know you well enough yet, but we'll raise a glass just the same." She gives him a playful salute as he makes his departure.

Elm Street won't know what hit it when Park & the rest make with the musical stylings. That's a sure bet and Love hasn't heard them yet. She returns the DJ's squeeze, tucking Park's hair behind her ear. "Spin me some Finger Eleven, Mee." Now she's just fucking with everyone. No regrets.

"I'm sure I'll get home fine, too." Viktor says, powered by the hubris of alcohol and returning Park's hug single-armed, throwing Love a quick touch of fingers to forehead in return of her mock salute. "If I don't, someone feed the dog." He's saying it here, but anyone that takes him up on the offer would probably have to fight a couple of hospital staff for the chance.

"Have a good night, you two!" he calls to the both of them as Love's sorting Park's hair, adjusting his jacket from where he got a little manhandled, heading off and out with only a little thought put into whether or not tipping the bouncer would get him searched on the way out. It'd probably feel even better with a buzz on.