The Wild Orchid

A Night At the Club: Part 2

I finally got this part together. I was ill for a while and had no energy to write, but I want you all to know that I haven't forgotten about this story.

The drive to The Blue Orchid wasn't long, but Zorell felt like it took an eternity. Sitting in the car next to Gavin wearing her fancy dress was making her nervous. She watched the street more than she watched his driving, but she felt like he was looking at her and not the road. The night had come and the streets were dark. The only lights came from the streets' lamps and the lights from several low-cost restaurants. Living in the big city was a big change from the small town she grew up in. There was so much more to do, and at times it was a bit overwhelming.

They soon approached a two-story building that looked rather ordinary, and Gavin stopped the car in the back lot of the building. She was slightly shaking, and she hoped that he didn't notice. This was her first real date, and she wasn't sure how she was supposed to act.

He must have sensed her uneasiness from being out of her element and touched her hand before exiting the car. To her surprise, it did make her feel better. She was slowly becoming more relaxed as he opened the car door and escorted her out. He took her arm gracefully and led her to the entrance of the club. She was amazed that the place was so out in the open. What she heard of most speakeasies is that they were usually well-hidden underground establishments, but this place was in the middle of the nighttime scene and quite noticeable.

As they walked inside she saw that there was a small lobby with a billboard, and she became excited when she saw who was on it. It showed a one night only performance by Lolly Davidson. The beautiful dark-haired woman's image blew a kiss for all who dared to look upon the billboard that dominated the nicely decorated lobby. The billboard was surrounded by a drapery of power blue silk and white lace. She was infamous for wearing pearls from head to toe, so she was curious to see what her favorite singer would be wearing.

"So... was this the surprise you wanted me to see?" she asked him just as he walked her through the lobby doors.

"One of them," he said and gave her that sly smile. One thing she knew for sure was a night out with Gavin Lorio was going to be anything but boring.

He led her inside where they were greeted by a hostess. She was a pretty blonde girl who looked no more than eighteen. She wore a peach dress with white tassels that bounced every time she moved, and this girl couldn't seem to stay still with the band playing an upbeat tune. Many of the patrons were already dancing, while a few young men were sitting at the bar flirting with some pretty girls dressed in glittery evening gowns. Zorell looked back at the hostess who couldn't seem to take her eyes of her.

"Hey, boss, who's the doll?" she asked in a New Yorkish accent. She only knew one other person from New York who she met when she was in nursing school. The girl's voice threw her off for a moment because her throaty tones didn't match her delicate features.

"I'm Zorell?" she said and gave a formal curtsy. The girl gave out a hearty laugh while Gavin smiled in approval.

"Nice to meet cha," she said and gave Zorell a wink. "Make sure he shows ya a good time."

"Vera, just show us a table," Gavin said and put his arm around Zorell's waist. He led her to the table close to the stage, but she gave them a certain amount of privacy.

He took on the part of a gentleman and pulled out her chair for her and helped her to sit down. She looked around and saw the place was decorated beautifully that made its name quite fitting. The Blue Orchid was just that, because it was draped in blue and white and even the glasses looked like the flower the establishment was named for. For her, it was like entering another world.

The music had ended, and she saw that the couples who were dancing stopped and clapped. Once the applause died down, the band leader approached the microphone and spoke.

"We're going to take a little break, but we'll be back in ten with the luscious Lolly Davidson," he said and the crowd cheered. Just hearing the woman's name sent a burst of excitement through her body.

"Would you like a drink?" Gavin asked her, and she answered with a nod. He signaled a waiter who sped over to the table in a split second.

"Alright," she said without thinking. It wasn't until the young man came back a few minutes later that Zorrell realized what Gavin meant when he said drink.

There was a wine glass placed in front of her filled less than half way with a clear liquid. She had never had spirits before, and she wondered what it tasted but like. Even with this curiosity, part of her was afraid to find out.

Gavin had a smile on his face that was a half smirk, and she knew she was found out. "First time?" he asked. She shouldn't have been surprised that he said that, but for some reason she was. Her mind had wandered somewhere else and the question seemed to be not about the drink he had given her but to something else.

"I guess so," was all she could say. If she were blushing she couldn't really see her own reflection to see if she was, but her face was heating up signifying that it was probably true. She took another sip, getting used to the bitterness of the drink, when she looked over and saw some dark-haired woman looking at her. She thought it was just her nervousness about being in a place like this for the first time.

She closed her eyes and concentrated, more on the music then another else. It was light-hearted and smooth and she couldn't keep still and tapped her foot on the floor in time with the music. She didn't realize she was making any noise until Gavin looked down at her feet.

"It is a catchy tune," he said and she felt instantly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she said and stopped the tapping at once. "I didn't realize..."

"There is nothing to be sorry for," he said and rose from his seat and stepped over towards her chair. "May I have this dance?"

"Sure," she said as he took her hand and helped her to her feet. As they moved onto the dance floor, the music enveloped her senses. Gavin turned out to be a strong partner and made her feel like she was a better dancer than she actually was.

Even though she was concentrating on her dancing she again glanced at that dark-haired girl standing at the bar holding a wine glass and noticed she was once again staring at her. She turned away pretending to ignore it, but it remained on her mind.

The dance had ended without Zorrell realizing it just as a young man in a white chef's outfit approached them. He was holding onto his hat so tightly his knuckles were turning as white as his uniform. He looked a bit distraught with sweat beading on his brow. She wondered what could have been upsetting the boy. She would soon find out when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Boss, we have a situation," he said, while fiddling with a napkin. "The tug is sinking." He said the words slowly and almost in a whisper.

Zorrell looked confused, but figured it was some kind of code. "Don't worry, Byron, I'll handle it."

"In the cock pit," he said and walked away towards a pair of swinging doors. She guessed that it was the kitchen.

"What's going on?" she asked, but the serious expression on his face lightened as he led her back to the table.

"It's nothing," he said, acting like her worries were unfounded, but he wasn't fooling her. She had the sneaking suspicion that he was lying. "Just a little problem with security."

"Oh," she said, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Just wait here, and I'll be right back," he said. She was about to protest but he bolted away before she could say anything.

She sat back down in her chair trying to think what it was that he could be hiding. Before she could be completely engrossed in her own thoughts, someone approached her table. She looked up to see it was the girl who had been staring at her.

Once again I leave you with a cliffhanger. Like Bugs Bunny says, "Ain't I a stinker?" I'll have the next part done soon. Bear with me. I've been working 50 hours a week, and there isn't much time to write. Remember to comment. I love hearing from you.