Upside Down Idiots Club, page 16
“If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain,” he sang.
The crowd responded, “if you're not into yoga, if you half-a-brain… write to me and escape.”
The alcohol flowed, and the dance floor was less than half full. Jack was near the back sipping Jack-n-Ginger. The music vibe was a bit old for him, but he liked the mood on the boat and felt very comfortable just relaxing. The artist finished his set and then said there would be a short break to sit tight for a special treat.
As Jack looked out from the boat, he realized just how much he loved being on the water. The trip had taken them into the San Francisco Bay and in the distance was the shimmering of city lights. He recalled being on the bay near (name place near SEA) on nights when the sky lit up, including colors such as green, purple, and rose. He thought this was one of the first times when a man-made skyline could majestically compete with side effects of the Aurora Borealis. In the distance, he saw Simon dressed immaculately and wearing his signature mask. He mingled with the crowd, leaving smiles behind in his wake.
When the piano man returned, the stage had changed with a center floor space and guitar to accompany him. He began the melody, and everyone raised their glass to Sade as she entered the stage to “By Your Side.” Jack had heard a rumor about Simon’s party’s and his “spare no expense” attitude. It was hard to believe Sade was singing right in front of him. As the song continued, a gold pole dropped slowly from the ceiling into a plate on the floor. A lovely woman appeared slowly spinning from the pole. It is a slow song, and the dancer perfectly synced with Sade. Once half-filled, the room was now jam-packed, and Jack had to stand to keep his eye on the show. It was incredible. He was less than 30 feet from this epic singer and yet, he kept his eyes on the dancer. She was captivating, sexy, and elegant all-in-one. She wore an outfit that started with a Brazilian bikini and then added several straps to connect from her ankles, wrists, and her neck. She wore a gold feather mask with straps tied in back of her head and then woven into a headpiece that held her long brown hair. Her body was long, slender, and flexible. The soft lighting from the night sky bounced off her light brown skin and shimmering gold flare. Her routine included a bicycle leg kick where she looked out to the crowd and teased the audience with her outstretched toes. Twirling slowly around the pole, she held her legs together and kept the “juicy views” to a minimum. It was a class act; she was just the background dancer.
As she spun, the gold straps flew by as if she was a sparkling ball with a sexy center at her butt.
“Oh yum.” Jack thought to himself. This woman was hot. She looked like a blend of a track star and a model with a tiny, decorated waist. She had an exquisite body. Her outfit hid nothing, and every line looked lovely. Sade did a 3-song set and both Sade and the dancer bowed and then left the stage to a long, loud applause. It was time for a refill and Jack headed over to the bar.
“Wow, that was an awesome show!” He said. “You must love working for Simon.”
“Yup, he takes care of his people,” said the bartender.
“I really liked the dancer. Is there any way to get backstage?’
“Sure, just look over there” he pointed to the helipad.
Sade was being escorted back to shore by helicopter. Jack understood that the superstar had to leave the boat but wanted to ask more about her. He wondered how the party would continue beyond Sade and if there might be another dance set. Somewhat frustrated, Jack scanned the room and suddenly realized it was filled with power names. His eyes caught Steph and Ayesha Curry, along with Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan and he began to wonder if this was a fundraising event. What was Simon's ulterior motive tonight and why was Jack invited? It was certainly time for a drink refill and some tasty hors d’oeuvres. Bacon-wrapped anything sounded good or perhaps some lettuce-wrapped beef - Jack was reeling off his mental wish list when Ava appeared. She was also grabbing a treat and heading back for a wardrobe change. As she passed him, he could smell her scent and almost recognize her, but it all happened too fast. With his mini plate full, he moved to a nearby table and watched the pianist return to the stage. He began playing The Tony Rich Project and Ava returned to the stage. This time she included pointe shoes and mixed several pirouettes into the routine. Jack was captivated and could not take his eyes off her, until someone blocked his view.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Simon asked.
“Just how many helicopter visits are you planning tonight?” Jack smiled.
“Sade is one-of-a-kind; sometimes you must think outside the normal to get what you want. She prefers pure entertainment and keeps her private life to herself. So, we made it simple for her to sing her songs and then jam. Besides, folks in this room will book her for their private gigs many times. It’s a win-win in my house.”
“I’m just not sure why I’m here?” said Jack.
“Because you deserve to be here. I know your path ahead and am bringing you into the mix early to prepare you for fortune and fame. You should just relax and be as social as you see fit. No one here is selling tonight and there is no big check written at the end! You’re safe,” said Simon.
Jack glanced around Simon and Ava was still performing. Simon also turned around and said, “Isn’t she lovely,” as in character with Stevie Wonder.
“You really know how to class up a superyacht party,” said Jack.
“Let me know if you need anything special,” said Simon. Jack knew he meant some form of sex, drugs or other boating entertainment rituals, but his mind was still distracted.
“I’m enjoying the scenery immensely and hope to take it all in,” said Jack looking out across the shoreline.
“Enjoy my friend,” said Simon.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-SEVEN
AVA’S PLACE
On Sunday, Jack received a text reading, “Hope you liked my dance. It was fun to see you on the boat yesterday.”
Jack had put the name in his phone as “B&W Hottie” and was pleased she texted him. Of course, he remembered the beautiful dancer and finally realized the woman behind the feather mask was the lovely waitress from the club.
Excited, Jack replied, “Oh I had no idea that you were such a lovely dancer,” and trying to play it cool texted, “Hope to see you again soon,”
“Yes, me too,” Ava responded with 3 winking heart emojis.
Ava lived in the industrial part of the city of San Francisco’s industrial district. Though there was plenty of homelessness and graffiti, crime was rare in the city. Her building sat centered on the block, with a converted metal garage door and an adjoining passage door to the side. There was minimal street parking and after 5pm, you were not likely to park without finding a lot nearby.
The building was tall and must have been four or five stories high. Metal walls rose abruptly from the street to a broken fire escape, detached at the last floor. The street door likely once led to a small retail space, with an interior window and countertop left of the door, and a second locked entrance to the right.
Ava, a third-year art student at the Academy of Art University, swung open the door to reveal a first floor that looked as large as a gymnasium. Massive metal beans supported the second and third-floor mezzanines, spaced broadly enough to easily convert the “apartment” into a dozen condominiums. Dark, stone-like flooring covered the concrete slab floor.
The vast room was purposefully left rustic and filled with artwork, eclectic furniture, and plants. Plants were everywhere, from mature trees to bamboo growing nearly five floors high. Crisscrossing vines created a jungle feeling.
A long stairway against the rear wall leads up to two huge suites on the second-floor mezzanine. The first suite was Ava’s “daily” room, which included a queen-sized bed, a few long couches, some exercise mats, a large dresser, and chair. The TV was like a silhouette on the wall, unused unless there was an occasional reason to turn it on for a movie. Ava preferred listening to music over watching TV.
On the back was a spacious bathroom with a large sink, toilet, bidet, and a shower with a dark wooden bench inside for relaxing amid the steam. It was big enough for two shower heads, but Ava felt if two people showered together, they should share everything.
An enormous walk-in closet separated the two bedrooms and mostly acted as a staging room. Entering the second room brought an immediate sense of peacefulness and wonder. The colors were warm and dark, and Ava had as much wood in this room as her wood shop downstairs. The only metal in the room was the dance pole and the light fixtures. There was even a small refrigerator hidden in a wooden chest.
The second bath was even more beautiful than the first. The floors and walls were made of dark stone patterns and the centerpiece was a large built-in bathtub for two. Ava had room for several dozen candles around the edges and still plenty of room for wine glasses and more. More glass shower doors and two black sinks were below a full mirrored wall. Lighting was beautiful and subtle throughout.
The balance of the first floor held a large walk-in closet, a small but modest open kitchen, the seating area with fountain, and Ava’s studio. The closet was near the back wall and easy access to the stairs. Ava believed that bedrooms and closets should not be together and only a few articles of clothing would be near the bedroom or bath.
Sharing about a third of the first floor was her art studio. A thin steel wall separated the dining and living areas from the art and metal work. The walls ran up the beams to the second floor with an open ceiling to the roof. On one of the walls was some sort of graffiti that was tastefully and yet only partially covered up by Ava’s artistic flare.
The door to her studio was the size of a small wall and hung from roller rails. It was likely left from some sort of garage and now converted as a doorway separating reality from fantasy.
Inside were three or four large, open room-like areas containing Ava’s work in progress. Her style was still being defined and included unique mixed media with elements of light, glass, ceramic and metal overlays.
In the first area was the building blocks and mechanisms to bend and weld the underlying framework of the art pieces. Most of her work started with what might look like common shapes, such as a table or chair, and then dramatically transformed. Her chair series, known as “The Chair Dance,” included a collection of exotic and intricate chairs that varied from amazingly comfortable to an S&M party for one.
One chair had smooth, clean lines with hinged joints. Black anodized metal and leather patches placed where the person would sit created a high-end look. Her collection also included a chrome chair that bent into a glory-hole position, a chair that carefully stretched the body parts, a chair for getting wet, and a chair for three (Thailand favorite).
Later, Jack would discover and enjoy the experiences of the chairs.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT
SHEER DELIGHT
Hoping to catch a glimpse of the waitress again, Jack returned to the Black & White Bar. He contemplated whether to text her and ask if she’d be there. After drafting a few versions in his mind, he finally sent a simple message:
"Any chance you’re working tonight? It would be fun to see you."
"Great to hear from you. I'm here till midnight. Maybe you can come by." A winking emoji followed.
"Let me finish a few things at work, and I'll be over around 9,” he responded, excitement bubbling at the hoped-for response.
After a quick shower and shave, Jack donned a stylish dark shirt with a subtle wave-like pattern mixing blue and black hues—a step away from his usual stuffy business attire. Hoping to embrace the San Francisco lifestyle, he left a few buttons undone to showcase his fit chest from his swimming habit. He resembled a GQ model tonight, and the timing couldn't have been better.
Arriving at the packed, high-energy club, Jack sat at the bar, deliberately positioning himself with a clear view of the crowd and waitstaff area. The clock had just struck nine, and he couldn't help but wonder why the place was so packed on a Thursday night. Leaning against the bar, he extended his arm slightly, signaling he was ready for a drink. The Patek Philippe watch on his left wrist glistened as he waited.
Jack recalled dating trivia: 16% of singles know if they want a second date, and over 68% love follow-up texts. It made him ponder his situation with the beautiful waitress whose name he still did not know. Did they have chemistry? Would they discover common interests beyond raw physical attraction?
The tattooed bartender approached, and for a moment, Jack contemplated getting a subtle tattoo, like a Chinese symbol for "warrior." He ordered a Jack-n-Ginger and took a few sips. His excitement had slightly overwhelmed him, and he let the alcohol help regain his confidence.
Jack's gaze wandered up to the array of bottles behind the bar, and he found solace in their distraction. He read the labels meticulously as if evaluating an artist's canvas. The Jack-n-Ginger, combined with the bottle distraction, was working magic, gradually shifting his mood from haste and restlessness to a more patient, wait-and-see mindset. Jack knew he tended to operate at extremes, but tonight, he was finding the balance that allowed him to slow down, relax, and savor the room's ambiance.
Jack savored his second drink when he noticed her entering the room—it was her. She must have been working in other parts of the bar, as he constantly checked his view to spot her. Currently, she was tending to a table on the far side. Jack considered sending her a text but realized her outfit had no room for a cell phone.
She was dressed in a see-through white skirt that cascaded to the floor. It featured a daring slit that ran down the entire length of her leg, and as she moved, glimpses from her upper thigh to the tops of her black stiletto heels were displayed. Her upper attire consisted of a tiny black vest blouse—collared on top, tapering down to her mid-waist, with a gap revealing her enticing waist and belly button. Her flat stomach was delightful, and the vest, like her skirt and bra, added to the sheer allure. Jack felt like he had Superman's X-ray vision as he discerned the outline of her nipples through the sheer fabric.
She caught Jack's eye as she gracefully strolled across the room and offered him a warm smile before continuing to deliver her drinks. However, this time, she circled back and approached his side of the bar. As she drew nearer, Jack turned to face her. He appreciated her from head to toe, and the bar's perfect lighting seemed to elevate her from a flowing silhouette to a sheer princess.
Reaching a gap beside Jack, she leaned in to signal the bartender. "I'll take this one back with me," she said.
"He's all yours."
The scent of sweet ginger wafted from her as she reached for his drink. Her other hand lightly touched his lower back as she whispered, "Let me take care of you tonight."
Jack was relishing the evening he had been eagerly anticipating. Although the B&W Bar was bustling with patrons, it felt like they were the only two in the room. She seated him at a booth and smiled and delivered his first real drink.
"Let me close out my tables and meet you in the lobby in 5 minutes," she said.
"I'm ready when you are." He felt his response was a bit dorky and wished he could have been more romantic, but his nervousness was getting the best of him. With an empty table, it was time to leave.
The B&W lobby was unlike any other waiting area. On one side were the wild and vibrant nightclub doors, and a mysterious set of elevators on the other. Typically, people passed through this room in a matter of seconds. But tonight, Jack found himself waiting alone, constantly glancing at his phone. Then, the door opened, and she entered. Jack marveled at how effortlessly she exuded sexiness in her street clothes—heels, tight jeans, and a purse strapped across her blouse.
As she drew closer, she slipped her arm under his and pulled him close to whisper, "I've wanted to go out with you for a while now. Do you have any rooftop spots in mind?"
The city offered a multitude of nighttime pleasures, including the club scene, Michelin-starred restaurants, foodie bars, and, for locals, selective rooftop bars that showcased the night sky. Jack was still basking in the warmth of her whisper and wasn't thinking too clearly. They emerged from the parking garage; their phones filled with possibilities.
"We can also just grab something light. Do you like sushi?" she inquired.
"Mmmm, that sounds perfect."
She knew several nighttime spots known for good food and secure parking, given that San Francisco had a reputation for car theft and vandalism. They found parking, and Jack appreciated every gesture, from opening her car door to requesting a table for two. She cared for him as if they had been dating for ages. She shared her favorite sushi rolls with Jack and inquired whether he preferred mild or spicy dishes. Jack was up for trying almost anything and encouraged her to order for them. Three beautifully crafted sushi rolls arrived at their table, adorned with delightful crunchy toppings.
"I want you to try this one first.” She reached for the middle roll with her chopsticks and offered Jack a small bite. A smile graced her beautiful face as she placed it on his tongue.
He chewed once and swallowed. "Oh my god, this is delicious.”
"It's my favorite," she said.
They continued to feed each other sushi, and Jack was entranced by every feature of her face. He savored how she opened her mouth for sushi and couldn't help but imagine kissing her lips. Her tongue rolling over her lips with a seductive smile invited him into her world. She asked if they wanted more when the food was almost gone, igniting excitement in Jack's thoughts.
