CHAPTER ONE
Thomas Carter, fresh out of University with a degree in Art History, found himself working at the Art Institute of Chicago, which had been his dream. It all seemed great until he found out he would be working primarily as a cashier in the gift shop. He would do tours from time to time when the tour guide, Mandy, was otherwise engaged, but basically he was a fucking cashier, eight hours a day, five days a week.
He worked in what was called visitor services, but he was promised an internship with Dr. Orin Ferris, a Collection Manager and department head, only for that to fall through when the man suddenly decided he didn't want an intern until next year. There was no guarantee that he would be chosen next year. Thomas had some hard thinking to do over the next few months. He wanted to stay, but he had to grow his career, and clerking at the gift shop would get him nowhere.
“Hey, what are you doing this evening?” Jeremy, a co-worker, came up to the counter and leaned while drinking a pop he got from the machine.
"No plans, why?" Thomas rearranged the bookmarks and magnets on the counter for the hundredth time as they spoke.
"The Blood Rose." He said it so dramatically that Thomas laughed. "It's open. They had their grand opening last week with the big party and limited invitations, but this week it's back to business as usual." He grinned salaciously. "I love business as usual, especially at the Blood Rose."
"You are ridiculous." Thomas shook his head. "The place will be swamped, we probably won't even get in."
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Again, he smiled and bounced his eyebrows suggestively. "What do you say, come on, it will be fun even if we don't get in. I've been there nights where the line outside was just as happening as the activity inside."
"Who all is coming?" He knew there would be more. Jeremy was a fun-loving guy with many friends, so there would be more than just the two of them.
"I invited a few, and then they invited a few, it will be like a work event, team building thing, maybe." That sounded so manufactured. Thomas just stared at him for a few seconds. "Okay, everyone in my department, plus you and Mandy."
"No, not interested, besides, I doubt the museum does any team building at the Blood Rose." He kept shaking his head.
“You have to meet these people away from work. You have to network and get familiar with everyone if you ever want to move into the job you want. It's all politics here, Thomas. Ferris will be there, let him see you and get to know him, and others, he's not the only one who takes interns. You have to do this, Thomas." He was very insistent. Jeremy was interning with Dr. Walsh in the exhibitions department. Jeremy had a very good eye for design.
“I don’t get off until eight.” Thomas was trying desperately to find a reason not to go. The thought of having to sit in a bar and sell himself to his superiors was rather sickening.
"So do I," Jeremy stated, cutting him off. "I'll meet you out front, and you can ride with me."
"I don't have a change of clothes." He looked down at himself, noting that he was not dressed for a night out, especially a night out at the Blood Rose.
"You look great, besides some guys really go for the bow-tied nerd types."
“Dr. Ferris agreed to go to the Blood Rose?” It didn’t seem like his type of entertainment. Ferris struck him as stiff and conservative.
"He's a lot wilder than you know. From what I hear, there's a bartender there that he's interested in sampling." Jeremy winked. He downed the last of his pop and tossed the can in the trash. "See you at eight." He said and left before Thomas could come up with another excuse.
"Tonight is our second night open to the public." Master Rose began. "Last night was a big hit. The new Blood Rose has risen, elevated to semi-exclusive, which means a more sophisticated and affluent clientele." He was pleased but also wanted to keep the mystery and the shadow of darkness that played at the edges of his club.
Damien, the General Manager of the Blood Rose, stood with him as they looked out over the rebuilt and thoroughly remodeled Blood Rose. "Those bastards who tried to burn us out actually did us a big favor."
“Yes, the Blood Rose is back and bigger and better than ever.”
"I put Riggs on the bar this weekend to add to the spice and sex appeal." He laughed, and Master Rose just nodded, pleased with the choice. "He knows how to work a room without even trying."
"Riggs is very adept at inspiring passion and obsession. No human is safe." The Master shook his head.
"Errol is also working tonight, so we're guaranteed that there will be no dry panties in the house. Should be a banging good weekend for the Blood Rose.” Damien stated.
"Banging good." The Master was very satisfied.
Riggs arrived at four, and Errol was already there. They had worked the previous night as well. Management wanted to push the dark, sensual, and suggestive aspect of the club atmosphere, and that was their assignment this weekend. He smiled and patted Errol on the shoulder. "Ready for the heat?" He asked and got comfortable behind the bar.
Errol shot him a hungry grin. "I woke up in the back room in bed with three guys this morning." He laughed. "I didn't know any of their names, and they didn't know mine, and it was beautiful."
“Alas, I went to bed alone, but my ass was handled more in one night than in the year combined. I even have a few interesting bruises.” He smoothed out the snug black denims he was wearing. It was important to dress for the job, and his job was to titillate. He laughed with Errol, who gave him a sympathetic look.
"Better luck tonight." He said, and then added. "The men were hanging off you last night. Didn't any of them interest you?"
“They were a handsome lot, but it was all too theatrical for my tastes. Maybe someone will strike me as genuine tonight." He started stacking glasses and arranging the bar.
