Suzi needs a date. Well actually, based on the bet she just made with her two best friends, she needs thirty-one dates. Thirty one blind dates to be exact.
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Suzi is invited to Exclusive, a nightclub where the elite can indulge in a variety of vi...
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Suzi rushed down the dimly lit corridor, nearly colliding with a Sailor Moon cosplayer after glancing at the text on her phone screen.
Brad: Let's meet in lounge 33. The experience will blow your mind. Promise.
After rolling her eyes, she continued down the darkened hall through the smooth, aromatic fruit-scented smoke and toward the lounge. Brad had insisted they meet at 7:00 pm to get the most out of their two-hour virtual reality experience.
She had heard a lot about the elite nightclub, and how realistic and immersive the VR sessions were. And although her trepidations caused her to think about engaging far longer than it should have, she was eager to see for herself.
As she passed the bar counters she eavesdropped on the patron's conversations and according to them, the rumors were true. Beyond the banter about the thousands of dollars they spent in a single night, the possibilities of remote hackers spying on their every move, and other conspiracy talk, an "enthralling and unique experience" seemed to come up often in the discussions.
Besides, Trystan, Amy and Taren had assured her she would have a blast on this date. And although her best friends knew her well, they had also gently encouraged her to date some strange and interesting characters over the month.
The number 33 shined above the door in vibrant blue neon at one end of the massive club, and as her eyes swept the vicinity, they met with many fanciful cosplayers dressed as characters from Pop culture, video games and movie franchises. Maybe she was a little underdress compare to most of the partygoers, but she wasn't one to feel self-conscious, only apprehensive about engaging in the unknown.
"You'll have fun, they said. Trust me, they said." She huffed and pulled the key card from her purse. She assumed they labeled it Lounge 33 in the sci-fi alphabet of a made-up language. A memory flashed in her mind at the many employees behind the initial counter who had checked her in, gave her the key, and informed her her date will join her shortly.
Finally, she stood under the shining blue neon and waved the keycard over the electronic lock until a click invited her inside.
She pushed the door, and it easily swung open to reveal a small sitting area with a contemporary love seat in a neutral gray color and two matching chairs at a round, glass cocktail table. She quickly scanned the room for a screen or game console, VR headsets or something similar, but only contacted a mysterious bright red door that seemed to lead to something significant. Another room, possibly?
Finding the moderately sized space lonely yet inviting, she made her way inside. The door easily closed behind her. She expected the lock to engage on its own, but when it didn't click, she locked it herself. Besides, Brad would have his own key card to gain access.
To her left was a small bar counter that hung over two metal bar stools. And they decorated the dark gray walls in a finish that resembled metallic. Were all the rooms like this one or did Lounge 33 have its own signature look—and what's behind the door?
