Divine Artifact in a Scientific World-Chapter 84: Club Velvet (1)

Jack was pulling out his phone to summon a ride-share when the man in the charcoal suit approached him. "I see you know Mr. Fletcher," he said amicably.

"Well, we just met this evening, so I’m not sure that qualifies as knowing."

"Just met, and he’s already given you his Maybach? Must have been some evening."

"Let’s just say he made a bad bet," replied Jack with a smirk.

"Interesting," the man said, then he held out his hand and continued, "I’m Vincent. Vincent Macklin. Pleased to meet you."

"Jack," he replied, shaking Vincent’s hand. Then asked, "So, how’d you do?"

"Quite well," replied Vincent. Then he handed Jack a stack of bills. "One thousand."

"Thanks," Jack said, folding and pocketing the thin stack of bills. He didn’t bother counting it.

Vincent raised an eyebrow when Jack pocketed the cash without counting it, but didn’t comment. Instead, he said, "Some friends and I are headed to this nice little club to enjoy the scenery, maybe do a little dancing. Care to join?"

Jack’s first instinct was to decline politely, given that he had classes tomorrow. But then he remembered, with time acceleration, he could spend ten hours sleeping in his soul space and only lose one hour in the physical world. He could party every night if he wanted!

He’d only used this ability once, after the FIS raid, and it had since slipped his mind. It had been more than a month since he received Genesis Heart, and he still tended to forget to factor in its amazing capabilities when making daily decisions.

"Sure, that sounds fun. I need to go fetch my other car and see if my girlfriend wants to tag along. I hope that’s not a problem."

"No, no problem. I can drive you to your car. No need to waste money on a ride-share. But are you sure you want to bring your girlfriend?"

Jack smiled, "Yes, I’m sure. You don’t need to worry. She’ll fit right in."

"Okay, whatever you say."

Jack went up to his room and told Miranda the plan. She squealed in glee and said, "Ooh, this’ll be fun."

She quickly changed into a loose silk top and short pleated skirt. Then they headed back down.

In the elevator on the way down, Miranda kissed Jack, then asked him, "Do you want me to be your wing woman and help you catch a plaything for tonight?"

Thinking about the way the Yokorian chick and the military girl had acted, he wondered if he would need any help. He also wasn’t certain what he wanted. Part of him was a little nervous about making a random hookup, and part of him was excited about the possibility.

"Let’s play it by ear. I’m not opposed to the idea, but let’s just let things flow naturally for tonight, and relax and have fun."

"Sure thing, baby! Whatever you say."

When they exited the elevator and approached Vincent, Jack noticed Vincent eyeing Miranda appreciatively. And instead of feeling jealous, Jack felt pleased.

When they reached Vincent, Jack said, "Vincent, this is Miranda, one of my girlfriends."

Vincent’s eyes widened, then he asked with a sly smile, "Are your other girlfriends not joining us tonight?"

"Naw. Madison is...busy at the moment. But she should be free in a few days."

"Well. I see what you meant earlier." Then he gestured with his arm towards the hotel entrance. "Shall we?"

They followed him and found a Bentley waiting for them outside. Vincent said, "Hop in the back," then climbed into the front passenger seat.

As he and Miranda climbed into the back seat, Jack noticed a grim faced man with large shoulders and a thick neck sitting in the driver’s seat.

Seeing Jack notice the driver, Vincent said, "Don’t mind Karl, he’s always serious like this when he’s on the job." Then he turned to Karl, and said, "Club Velvet-" then stopped and looked at Jack.

"Oh, right, you wanted to go get your other car, were do we need to go?"

"Chop Stewy," said Jack.

"I know where that is," said Karl in a surprisingly normal voice for someone so large.

As Karl drove, Vincent chatted with Jack and Miranda. They learned Vincent was the second eldest son of Lorenzo Macklin, owner of Macklin Enterprises, a large conglomerate focused mainly on shipping and construction.

Vincent dropped Jack and Miranda off at Jack’s Land cruiser, then Vincent suggested Jack follow him so he could ensure Jack got preferential parking. When they arrived, it wasn’t quite what Jack had expected.

They parked in a parking structure on the corner of the block, in ground floor spots that were marked as reserved for Club Velvet VIP. Then they walked down the block to a stairwell that led down to an unmarked doorway.

As they approached the door, Jack could hear the faint thump, thump, thump of dance music emanating from the door.

When they entered, they found themselves in a small vestibule with a bouncer in a suit guarding a second door. The thump, thump, thump was louder but still quite enough you could almost ignore it.

Vincent said to the bouncer, "They’re with me."

The bouncer replied, "Sure thing, Mr. Macklin." Then opened the door for them, the quiet thump, thump, thump, turning into the clear sound of dance music. Not loud, but obvious.

Beyond the door was a long hallway, and as they walked, the music grew louder and louder. By the time they reached the end of the hallway, the music was loud enough that Jack could feel it in his chest.

At the end of the hallway they found a large softly lit room, with a dance floor in the center, a bar along the entire length of one wall, and dimly lit booths lining the other three walls. There was also a mezzanine that circled the entire room, and Jack could see tables at the edge that allowed those sitting to look down on the dance floor.

Vincent led them over to the bar, then leaned over to Jack and said loudly, "What do you want?"

Somehow, despite the loud music, Vincent didn’t need to yell to be understood. The place had amazing acoustics. There was no annoying echo and somehow, despite being able to feel the music, it was possible to be understood without needing to scream in each other’s ears. Speaking loudly was sufficient.

Unlike some countries, the legal drinking age in the Federation was eighteen, the reasoning being, if you’re old enough to serve and die for your country, you’re old enough to drink. Jacob had shared a number of different beers with Jack and Jack found he liked wheat beers more than IPAs. So he asked for a Blue Moon, a brand he remembered liking. Miranda asked for a cosmopolitan.

It was only about ten in the evening, but there were already at least twenty people out on the dance floor. What surprised Jack was that more than half of the people dancing were attractive young women. Many of them wearing mini skirts or mini dresses.

Noticing that Jack was appreciating the scenery, Miranda stood on her toes and said into his ear, "See anything you like?"

He turned and gently bit her ear before saying, "They all look delicious, but you’re my special tasty treat." It felt a little corny saying it, but he wanted her to know he appreciated her openness and enthusiasm and didn’t want her to think he would ignore her.

"Oh, baby, you say the nicest things," she said, then kissed him hungrily.

Their drinks arrived, and Vincent led them over to a section of booths along the wall opposite the hallway and adjacent to the bar. This section was raised and had three bouncers standing guard in front of it.

Vincent lead them to one of these obviously VIP booths and sat. The booths were wide with leather seating and there were low tables in front, spaced out so no one would feel blocked in when sitting down.

After they sat, Jack leaned over and asked, "I’m surprised to see so many ladies on the dance floor. I thought most dance floors would be a sausage fest? Is it ladies’ night or something?"

Vincent smiled wolfishly and said, "Club Velvet is very particular about their clientele. Ladies drink for free and always have a safe ride home. But only quality is allowed through the door. As for the gentlemen, entrance is invite only. Without me, you would not be allowed in."

Miranda, who was leaning across Jack’s lap to listen in, asked, "What about me?"

"You, my dear, would probably be admitted, though you would be watched closely for your first few visits."

Miranda leaned back, looking pleased. Jack wondered what Vincent meant by "quality". All the women looked young and attractive. So maybe that’s all he meant, but the way he’d said it implied there was more to it than just attractiveness.

Jack sipped his beer and watched the dancers for a few minutes, before Miranda leaned in and said, "Dance with me?"

"Sure," he replied. "As long as you don’t mind being embarrassed. I can’t dance for shit."

"Ah, don’t worry, I’ll teach you!"

Then she got up and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the dance floor.

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