Chapter 44

STARDOM CLUBHOUSE~~~~


The club was a hub of activities even though it's only been a few days after the murder of at least ten people or more. They partied like it was nothing and acted like it never happened.

The loud music, noisy chatter, drugs and vulgar display seemed to be regarded as the norm in this cluster of madness that is the Stardom Club. It has had the monopoly as the most popular club in the city since it had the highest attendance.

It has also been linked with the weirdest controversies and scandals since over the years, once in a while, a mass murder spree occurs here but is usually covered up. Testimonies and claims of relatives or close friends have been regarded as inconclusive and without proof. To that effect, even though the Stardom Club has been known for its occasional controversies, it has never been caught in a scandal or locked down even once.

The night seemed like the perfect night for all except one man seated at the bar with disgust written all over his face. His eyes scanned the crowd with practised expertise as he kept an eye out for anything suspicious.

"You are gonna get a stiff neck if you keep looking behind you like that," the bartender said to him as he prepared a drink for a different customer.

"Yeah," he smiled. "I'm waiting for someone and they're running late so I'm a little bit anxious."

"Is it a date?" the bartender asked as he gave the drink he was preparing to the customer.

"Yeah," he replied exhaling loudly. "She said she'll be here soon."

"She's not coming, bro," the bartender laughed. "Dude, why would you ask a girl out to a club? She would think you just wanna smash and that's all."

"That's what I wanna do though," he smirked and then winked. "You don't look that bad yourself."

"Oh, you're smooth," the bartender laughed. "You are quite the talker, huh?"

"Just teasing," he shrugged. "I'm new in town so I'm not exactly familiar with this city."

"Well, that must mean you...."

A loud noise interrupted their conversation as one man at the entrance of the club made a scene. He was a big, burly man, probably in his early fifties who stood at about six feet. He had eye bags under his swollen eyes, an unkempt stubble with little specks of grey mixed in with his ginger-coloured hair and a bald head that glistened in the light.

"Let go off me, you fuckers!" he yelled. "I wanna talk to your fucking manager!"

"Stay back, sir," one of the three bouncers holding him back said as they tried pushing him out.

"Get the fuck away from me, you murderers!" the man yelled fighting desperately against the men who are doing their best not to resort to lethal measures. "You killed my brother! You fucking killed my brother! Where the fuck is the fucking manager?!"

"What's that about?" he asked the bartender.

"Oh, ignore him, the bartender replied. "He is like the fourth person this week. He'll tire out and leave eventually."

"Why is he blaming the club for. killing his brother, though?" he asked. "Isn't he supposed to be sued for slander? Or did a murder actually occur here?"

"There was nothing like that," the bartender replied as he cleaned his countertop. "A murder did occur recently but it wasn't in the club. Some escaped animals from the zoo and a serial killer struck on the same night and killed a couple of night crawlers. It's been investigated and resolved but the serial killer is still on the loose."

"What's the connection to the club then?"

The bartender peered at him suspiciously. "You're quite nosy for a newcomer, aren't you?"

"I'm just quite a freak for gossip," he smiled. "Information is a needed weapon when you are in an unfamiliar environment."

The bartender gave no reply and still watched him suspiciously.

"C'mon, man," he rolled his eyes. "If you were in a club in a new city, got stood up because of the club and now hearing that the club is responsible for murder, wouldn't you want to know as much as possible to be sure that you are safe?"

"Get the fucking manager or I'll kill every one of you fuckers!" the man yelled again.

"He sure is noisy," he laughed. "And could you please stop giving me that look? You don't have to tell me if you don't wanna. I'm not forcing an answer from you. I just thought we flowed really well and you could help an eventual friend with some information. I'm thinking of moving here too"

"I swear you look like a cop," the bartender replied. He got an order for another glass of his cocktail and hr got to making sit immediately.

The man at the bar took the time to look around his surroundings again. The atmosphere had become more erotic than it was before. The audible sounds of moans and groans from the rooms upstairs as the guests satisfied their lustful urges.

The dim red lights in the clubroom where he was gave the guests the perfect atmosphere to make out or pass out from intoxication. Others were erratic and out of their minds as they laughed and chattered noisily while others danced erotically to the sound of the depraved music they listened to. He felt sorry for them.

The only other sound to be heard apart from moans, chattering and lousy music was the noisy man who wouldn't stop yelling. He had one of the bouncers by the hair and bit another's hand as he tried to free himself. Thankfully the third was behind him which was an advantage as he held the man in place.

What he found weird was the way the club guests ignored the yelling man. None even seemed half as curious as he was about the man and it disappointed him. They all acted like it was normal which subtly terrified him.

"If you must know," the bartender said as he handed him a Martini he didn't order. He looked at the bartender curiously which he noticed and then gave a small smile. "It's on the house."

"Thanks," he smiled in return and took a little sip.

"As I was saying, the only connection these deaths have with the club is these random relatives coming here and claiming the dead guys were last known to be here. Like how the fuck does that make sense. I've spent five years working here and not once did I ever see the guys they were talking about."

"Wow, that's some serious allegations," he said sipping more of his drink. "Why aren't they being arrested though? They're slandering the club so they deserve punishment."

"The club manager doesn't want to since he sees them as grieving. He's also the reason why those bouncers haven't knocked that fucker out."

"He ordered that too?"

"Yes," the bartender replied. "He told them to only resort to violence if it gets extreme."

He looked back to the man who still threw punches and slaps at the bouncers. "I don't think it gets more extreme than that."

"He'll be taken down soon," the bartender sighed. "It's a good thing the customers aren't disturbed by his presence. Except you at least."

"Yeah," he smiled. "And with the hospitality you've shown me, I can assure you that you would be seeing a lot more of me." He winked at the bartender who responded with a smile.

"I have fucking proof that y'all killed my brother," the man yelled again. His voice was becoming strained and didn't have as much volume as before. "You guys think you're having fun when you are just in a slaughterhouse! Get the fuck out of my way!"

"That does it!" one of the bouncers said and punched the man in the gut. Another punched him in the jaw which rendered him unconscious while the third dragged him outside.

"That was quite efficient," the man said standing up and paying for his drink. He was given his change with a little present under which had the bartender's number.

"Call me," the bartender winked and he returned it with a smile just like the bartender did earlier before walking out.

"What's your name?" the bartender called. "I'm Raphael."

"Edward," he replied as he waved goodbye.

The burly man lay sprawled out on the street at the corner of the club since they lacked the manpower to take him farther. For such a prestigious clubhouse, they sure are understaffed.

"Proof, huh?" he said as walked over the man's body and rummaged through his pockets. He only got the man's phone and a piece of paper which he believed had a list written on it. It was way too dark to see anything so he opted to take it with him. The passed-out guy wouldn't be needing it anyway. He might as well make good use of it.

"A fruitful night," he said to himself as he lit a cigarette and trudged down the street.