Kev's eyes fluttered open as the first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of orange and gold. He stretched, his muscles still slightly sore from the previous day's exertions, and made his way to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. The hot water cascaded over his skin, washing away the remnants of sleep and the lingering excitement of the night before.
Back in the kitchen, he expertly navigated the coffee-making process, a skill he'd mastered under Horns' tutelage. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the apartment, a comforting scent that promised a sense of normalcy amidst the extraordinary circumstances of his new life.
He settled onto the couch, a mug of coffee in one hand and his guitar in the other. The gentle strumming of the strings filled the quiet space, a soothing melody that mirrored the tranquility of the morning.
Just as he was getting lost in the music, a familiar knock echoed through the apartment. He opened the door to find Horns, his usual cheerful demeanor tinged with a hint of exhaustion.
"Morning, Kev," Horns greeted him with a weary smile. He lumbered into the apartment and plopped down on the couch, his massive frame sinking into the cushions with a sigh of relief.
Kev, ever the attentive host, quickly fetched a glass of water from the kitchen and offered it to Horns.
"Thanks," Horns mumbled, taking a long gulp. "Needed that."
Kev sat down beside him, curiosity piqued. "How was the night?" he asked, his gaze meeting Horns'. "You know, after I went to bed, I mean."
"Fang was in rare form last night," Horns revealed, reaching into his suit. "Once you left, he was like a man possessed."
"Any serious issues?" Kev inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.
Horns lit a joint, leaning back into the couch with a sigh. "Nothing major," he replied, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Just... intimidation, mostly. He made some poor bartender cry." Horns shook his head, a frown creasing his brow. "And he's increasing security measures, so I'm sure I'll be helping Rex hire some more muscle soon."
Kev's eyebrows furrowed. "Depending on the results of the meeting tonight, you might all be hiring new people," he pointed out, referring to the upcoming discussion about implementing a day off for the staff.
Horns' ears perked up. "Oh yeah, that," he said, taking another drag from his joint. "What inspired that idea, anyway?"
Kev shrugged. "Most humans have at least one day off a week," he explained. "Many have two. It's considered normal, even essential." He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. "Of course, we don't have the same population or automation issues."
"Still, it's a fine idea," Horns said, nodding in agreement. "A day off to get my car fixed would be awesome." He chuckled. "Or maybe just a day to sleep in and watch some movies."
Kev smiled. "I hope I can convince the others," he said, a determined glint in his eyes. "It would be a good thing for everyone, including Fang."
"We can even push him to take a day off too, if everyone else is doing it," Horns suggested with a mischievous grin. "Maybe then he'll finally relax and enjoy life a little."
"Well," Horns announced, after finishing the joint, "I'm gonna swing by the market before heading home. Need anything?"
Kev glanced around his kitchen, taking stock of his supplies. "Some sugar would be nice," he said. "And maybe some fruit. Oh, and bagels, if they have them."
Horns nodded. "Easy enough," he replied with a grin. "Anything else?"
Kev shook his head. "That's all for now. Thanks, Horns."
"Have a good day, Kev," Horns said, heading towards the door.
"You too, Horns. And get some good sleep!" Kev called after him.
Once Horns had left, Kev finished his coffee and decided to enjoy a cigarette in the backyard. He stepped out onto the patio, the warm morning sun greeting him like an old friend. The air was fresh and clean, a stark contrast to the smoky atmosphere of the club.
He found a quiet spot near the pool, lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply. The familiar ritual calmed his nerves, allowing him to fully appreciate the tranquility of the morning. He closed his eyes, the gentle breeze rustling the leaves overhead, the birds chirping merrily in the distance. It was hard to believe that just a few hours earlier, he'd been dragged out of the club.
He rubbed his arm. Was it strange that he still had scratches, even though this was a dream?
As Kev attempted to dispel the sobering thought, he noticed a familiar figure approaching from the direction of the mansion. It was Max, the fox-man cleaner who had delivered his new clothes.
"Hey, Max," Kev greeted him with a friendly smile.
Max seemed surprised that Kev remembered his name. A flicker of warmth crossed his usually stoic features. "Kev," he acknowledged with a nod. "Cindy sent me to fetch you."
Kev raised an eyebrow. "Cindy?" he echoed. "What does she need?"
"Didn't ask," Max replied with a shrug. "Just said to bring you to her. Let's go."
Kev quickly extinguished his cigarette in a nearby barrel and followed Max back inside. The fox-man led Kev to a small book case not far from where they entered, their footsteps echoing in the quiet mansion. Pulling on one of the shelves, Max revealed an unassuming staircase leading down.
"Basement?" Kev asked, surprised. He hadn't realized the mansion had one.
Max nodded, descending the stairs without another word. Kev followed cautiously, his hand trailing along the cool stone wall.
The basement was a sprawling labyrinth of rooms and storage areas, its dimly lit corridors illuminated by flickering lanterns and scattered candles. It was a stark contrast to the opulence and grandeur of the upper floors, a sign of the mansion's utilitarian past.
As they walked, Kev's eyes scanned the shelves and storage areas. He saw stacks of candles and oil lamps, cleaning supplies, pillows and blankets, gardening tools, spare glasses and plates, even paint cans and construction materials. Chairs and stool, pots and pans, napkins and soap. It was a treasure trove of practical necessities, a testament to the club's self-sufficiency in a world without modern conveniences.
The air was cool and damp, the scent of mildew mingling with the faint aroma of cleaning supplies. The lack of natural light and the oppressive silence created an almost dungeon-like atmosphere, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the club above.
As they navigated the maze-like basement, Kev noticed a steady stream of cleaners moving up and down numerous staircases, their arms laden with supplies. He hadn't realized there were so many of them, staircases and cleaners, their silent efficiency a stark contrast to the boisterous energy of the club's patrons. A mental note formed in Kev's mind - he needed to explore this hidden world beneath the mansion, to understand the intricate workings that kept the club running smoothly… he didn't even know there was a basement and he had passed at least ten staircases! How many of them were there?
Max, sensing Kev's distraction, pointed down a dimly lit corridor. "She's in her office, straight ahead," he said, his voice echoing in the cavernous space. "See ya." Without another word, he turned and disappeared up one of the staircases, leaving Kev alone in the dimly lit basement.
Kev took a deep breath, steeling himself for his encounter with Cindy. He walked towards the office, his footsteps echoing on the cold stone floor. The door, a simple wooden slab with a worn brass nameplate that read "Cindy - Housekeeping," stood slightly ajar, inviting him in.
Kev pushed the door open and stepped into Cindy's office, a surprising contrast to the utilitarian basement. The room was a burst of color, its walls painted a cheerful pink and adorned with framed pictures of flowers and landscapes. A delicate lace curtain covered the small window, filtering the dim light and casting a soft glow on the space.
Cindy sat at a small table in the corner, a dainty teacup in her hand. She wore a simple cleaning apron over her modest clothes, her auburn hair still neatly pulled back in a bun.
"Kev, come in," she greeted him with a warm smile, her voice a gentle melody in the quiet office. "Please, have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Thank you," Kev replied, taking a seat across from Cindy. He accepted the offered teacup, the delicate porcelain a stark contrast to the rough, utilitarian surroundings of the basement. He took a few sips, the warmth spreading through him, and glanced around the office.
"It's very... cheerful," he remarked, gesturing towards the floral decorations and the bright pink walls. "Quite different from the rest of the club."
Cindy smiled, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Thank you," she said, taking a sip of her own tea. "I like to have a little bit of home with me, even down here."
Kev nodded and looked around again. The pink walls, the doily covered side tables, the comfy over stuffed arm chairs and the delicate tea set gave him a solid idea of what her home might be like. Kev smiled, it really was calming down here, and it was quite a bit cooler too, in a place without air conditioning or fans the chance to escape from the heat was valuable.
"What can I do for you today," he asked.
Cindy set her cup down and leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "I heard you had a bit of a scary night," she said, her voice laced with concern.
Kev nodded, a shiver running down his spine as he recalled the encounter with Bryan. "Horns and Rex saved me. I really didn't mean to cause any trouble," he explained, his voice still a bit shaky.
"That's good," she said, her voice reassuring. "Perry, that reckless owl, almost went straight to Fang when he saw you being dragged off. It's a good thing he spotted Horns first."
Kev took a sip of his tea, his mind racing. He hadn't realized how close he'd come to being taken away, to disappearing into the city's underbelly. He shuddered at the thought. If the city was really so overcrowded that jobs were a luxury, then he could only imagine the prisons and jails were similar. What would even happen if the city took him? It's not like his finger prints would be in any data bases… maybe he really would just get off with a warning.
Cindy's gaze lingered on Kev's face, her expression thoughtful. "You're important to Fang," she finally said, her voice soft but firm. "More important than you might realize."
"If Perry had told Fang you'd been kidnapped," Cindy continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "I think the club would have been shut down by now."
Kev's eyes widened in surprise. "Surely Fang wouldn't have done anything that rash," he protested, his voice laced with disbelief. "Rex handled the situation without even throwing a punch."
Cindy poured herself another cup of tea, her movements precise and deliberate. "You don't know Fang like I do, Kev," she said, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "He wouldn't hesitate to unleash hell on anyone who dared to harm someone important to him."
Kev smiled and looked away saying, "I'm just his assistant Cindy, we haven't even known each other for a week."
"He's asked me to keep an eye out for you," Cindy confessed, her voice softening. "Make sure you're safe."
Kev sighed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Sounds like he's told every staff member to do that," he remarked. "I appreciate it, but if this was the first time something like this has happened, maybe it was just a fluke."
"He even wanted to get a bouncer to shadow you during the day," Cindy revealed, a playful glint in her eyes.
Kev couldn't help but chuckle. "A babysitter, too?" he joked.
Cindy giggled, her laughter a soft melody in the quiet office. "That's exactly what I told him," she said, her smile widening. "I assured him that the cleaners would make sure no one tries to come and get you." Her grin turned a bit more mischievous. "The security team only lets in deliveries during the day, and we know all the delivery people. They're rarely even allowed to leave their trucks. I see no reason to restrict you like that."
"Thank you, Cindy," Kev said sincerely, finishing his tea. "I appreciate you looking out for me."
Cindy glanced at the clock on her desk, a hint of urgency in her eyes. "I need to go soon," she said, rising from her chair. "Inspections before the evening rush." She paused, a warm smile gracing her lips. "I'll see you at the meeting tonight, Kev. And good luck convincing those stubborn old goats to give us a day off." She sighed wistfully. "I'd love to spend a day at home with my knitting and the radio."
Kev chuckled, he would have bet money that Cindy was the type to knit. "I'll do my best," he promised.
"Goodbye, Cindy," he said, waving as she hurried out of the office.
Alone in the basement after leaving Cindy's pink room, Kev's curiosity got the better of him. He spotted the closest staircase and decided to see where it led. He climbed the steps, his footsteps echoing in the quiet mansion.