Marco: It’s time! The party will begin shortly!

  *Marco knocking on both the room doors and announcing it was time. The men slowly came out one by one. *

  Marco: Good to see you all! I see Henry has made his way back, that’s good! Where was he?

  Eric: After you ran off, he walked up to us from over there.

  *Eric pointed in the opposite direction from which Marco had run off earlier. *

  Marco: I see, well, that’s good. You’re all here we can enjoy the party. I will show you around, so you know where everything is, then I will leave you to enjoy the party however you would like. Dinner is served from 6pm-10pm. So, there is no need to rush eating, you can eat whenever.

  Jean: How will we be able to tell the time sir? We don’t have any of our belongings. Just these robes.

  *Jean looked down and waved his hands in a downward motion. *

  Marco: Do not worry there are plenty of clocks, a few grandfather clocks as well, so you will hear the bells every hour. I will point them out for you, how does that sound?

  Jean: Yeah, that’s cool.

  Marco: I have a little gift for you as well! These are quite exquisite, you’ll see!

  *Marco handed a little bag to Eric, inside 6 white pills with a blue CK in fancy lettering on them. *

  Marco: These are from Caliko, the finest in all the nd. The purest hallucinogens you could find in the world. He calls these little beauties Phantastica, says they are a recent entheogen he discovered, stating it allows you to connect with the god within. How exciting isn’t it!? He always has such whimsical ways of describing his creations. Like the fucking Willy Wonka of drugs! Go ahead, shake the bag, and I will take one blindly, so you all know they’re safe.

  *Eric shook the bag and held it out for Marco. Marco covered his eyes, reaching in the bag he pulled one out and stuck it under his tongue to let it dissolve. The men all watched. *

  Steve: Safe? I’m not so sure I want to take that after that description.

  Eric: We’re taking them, all of us!

  *Eric gave Steve a cold look. *

  Steve: Fine, give me one!

  *Steve snatched a pill out of the bag and stuck it in his mouth. The rest of them followed. Finally, Eric took the st pill and stuck it under his tongue. Marco smiled wide, his pupils already diting from the drug. Staring at each other as the pills dissolved in their mouths *

  Marco: Oh! Isn’t it wonderful? I feel awake! Alive! I can’t wait for it to kick in, usually takes about 15-20 minutes, but Caliko is a genius, I can feel it coming on already! Come now, follow me. This shall be a night to remember!

  *As they made their way to the elevator, they could see a massive crowd gathering around one of the elevators. People coming out of their rooms, all dressed in robes of different colors. Some wearing masquerade masks. Eric noticed there were multiple men in matching bck robes, wearing masks of different animal skulls. “Creepy,” he thought. The others did not seem to notice. *

  Marco: Come, follow me, we will take the secret elevator.

  *Marco walked around a corner, away from the crowd, and pressed a hidden button. A thin wall descended into the ground, revealing a hidden elevator. Marco pressed a card against the reader and the elevator ascended, and opened for them. As they walked into the elevator, Steve could feel the drug kicking in. It wasn’t at all intense or scary, like he had imagined. The commands he’d been given echoing in his mind. “Enjoy yourself” “Pretend” “Part of the illusion.” Steve ughed; the others followed with ughs of their own. The elevator felt as if it was traveling extremely fast, only descending a couple floors. The doors opening to the second floor. Loud music heard from a distance, and colorful lights seen fshing. *

  Marco: This is where the dance hall is, they’ve pced bars throughout the 1st and 2nd floor. If you want more Phantastica, they should have some. Caliko said, for the best result, to take another one in 1-2 hours. He also said to tell the special guests about his private selection craft ale “Golden Trip Tripel” said he made it specifically to be paired with Phantastica. He said stick to that pn and you’ll be in nevernd!

  *Marco ughed wildly*

  Marco: CAN YOU FEEL IT? COME NOW! LET US DANCE!

  *Marco took off, the others quickly followed. Everything moving so fast, they all felt as if they were floating. Following Marco into the dance hall, they all began to dance rhythmically. Steve closed his eyes. He could feel the presence of his friends. They were his friends; he would do anything for them. A faint whisper in his ear “Steve, please, remember, I need to talk with you.” He pushed the voice out of his head. He was spending time with his friends. He must enjoy himself. *

  *Jean’s mind felt wide open. As he danced with the others, he could sense items pulsating. He had gotten used to it always being present, but not strong enough to overwhelm him. He was usually able to push it to the back of his mind. The drug however made that quite difficult. He remembered a spell to make his hands like the wind, and light as a feather. Snatching items as he danced, the victims none the wiser. He didn’t really care about the stuff he was stealing, it meant nothing to him really. It was just exciting to do something wrong, on purpose. He didn’t have to be perfect. He could just “Enjoy himself.”

  Jean ughed enthusiastically. He realized, as he grabbed item, after item. He was starting, to get visions. Who the people were, and where they were from. Many people were quite ordinary, surprisingly so. It was strange though. None of them seemed to have any connection to the organization. He slowly began to realize, these people were recruited to come here, just for this party. They didn’t even know who Eric was. Jean already knew, that they were not what they seemed, but he should just “Enjoy Himself” Right?

  His eyes moved toward Marco. What should he take from Marco? He focused… an item. In a hidden pocket just above where the two sides of the robe overpped, on the right side. It shined gold, unlike the others items, which were of a purple hue. “It must be valuable,” Jean thought. He danced closer to Marco. He instinctively knew the trick he had been using on the others would not be enough. A spell came to mind, imprinted there, it was like selecting a song from a jukebox. So simple, yet satisfying. Something about this drug, made his connection to his power so… close. As if he just knew it like the back of his hands. Mind Bnk, was what he knew the spell as. A simple brush against Marco would be enough. The spell would clear his mind of anything that occurred within a few seconds. Not even able to realize time had skipped ahead. Jean smirked. Dancing towards Marco, he gave him a slight bump, grabbing the item and twirling into a spin, slightly deying the spin, almost to give off the “Illusion” that no time had been skipped. Marco ughed with glee.

  Marco: You are a wonderful dancer my friend.

  Jean: You too Marco, Phantastical!

  *They both ughed. Jean was pretending now, to the fullest. The item he had grabbed, a ring. An ancient relic, no wonder it was shining gold. It was a trap though, and he knew it immediately. The vision of a curse being pced on the ring by Mother Agbor, pcing it in Marco’s pocket, saying “do not touch the ring Marco, you understand? It is not meant for you.” Almost instinctively, Jean spun around once again, brushing against Marco, and pcing the ring back into the pocket the same way it had been taken. Unable to fully comprehend everything that had just occurred. He danced close to Marco. *

  Jean: I’m going to go grab a drink! I’ll be right back. Tell the others I’ll bring you all some of that beer you were talking about.

  *Jean walked off towards the nearest bar. “What luck he thought.” He could feel the protection spell still in effect, but he had not cast it, at least not on purpose. What was that curse, that ring? Had he held it a little longer he may have been able to know, but he knew the risk was far too great. “Best to just enjoy the party,” He thought as he approached the bar just near the entrance to the dance hall. *

  Jean: Give me 6 Golden Trip Tripels, the biggest mugs you got! You have any of that Phantastica by chance?

  Bartender: Yes sir, right away.

  Jean: We’re just over there, can you bring it to us?

  Bartender: Yes, I’ll send a server with your requests once I have them prepared.

  *The clock bells chimed from just outside the dance hall. Jean gnced at the rge grandfather clock through the doorway. Glowing a bright pink color, the chimes in rhythm with the pulse. Jean stared mesmerized. *

  *Henry had never taken drugs before. He also never felt so clear. Memories flooding his mind. As he danced, he could remember as a little boy, he was gifted. In school he knew more than all the other kids, even advancing grades, and being in gifted csses. He could even py the piano, some had called him a prodigy. Why was he remembering this now? How had he forgotten.

  He remembered all the women he had slept with. He had thought it was just once he slept with them… but he had retionships with them… he had broken their hearts. Leaving them, and each child he had with them, behind. Almost forgetting them entirely, except for the pictures, and occasional visits. He recalled his parents had paid them all off, he remembered now. Begging them to let him be with his family. Then as if his memory was wiped the very next day, he would move back in with his parents and start all over.

  He remembered more of his childhood. His parents were frightened by something he could do. That was it, he remembered, when he was 15. A group of men broke into their home, with masks, and guns. They came to rob his parents, who were quite wealthy, now that he thought about it. Why were his parents so rich? “Doesn’t matter,” he said to himself. His mind back to the break in… he killed them, all of them. One second all standing in the kitchen with guns pointed at their heads, the next second Henry exploding the intruders’ heads with the tip of his finger. Covered in blood he stood before his parents, hoping to be praised for his bravery. Instead, his parents stood frozen, with looks of horror upon their faces. He remembered the pain he felt that day. “Enjoy yourself” rang through his mind, he went back to dancing his heart out. Wiping away any tears that had formed. *

  *This was nothing new to Jack. He felt okay, not the best high he ever had. For some strange reason though, he started having fshbacks. He knew this was not a new trip he was having, but an old one revisiting him. Possibly activated by the new drug he had taken but he wasn’t sure. Vivid colors danced all around him, not from the lights, different colors, almost cartoon like. As if spshes of paint were floating through the air along with random dancing household appliances. “Beauty and the beast, except I’m the beast who fucks all the household appliances, no beauty to be found, just a disgusting freak,” he said to himself.

  He recalled getting on a rge cruise ship, a man shrouded in darkness stood on the dock. *

  Man: Go to America, wouldn’t it be funny? Go to Melbourne, it’s in Florida. You can tell people you got so fucked up, that you ended up in the wrong Melbourne. You can get off the cruise ship in Orndo. Take this bag, just pretend you’re me. Jack catches the bag that the man tossed.

  Jack: Fuck yeah, that’s hirious!

  Man: Yeah, it is…

  *The man whispered under his breath. Jack could hear it this time but he knows he didn’t in the moment. *

  Man: Fucking moron.

  *Jack reached in the bag, inside he remembers seeing a passport and other documents. Something heavy at the bottom, he reached in and grabbed it. A cube, made of a heavy metal, with strange dials, and symbols, the one’s from his tattoos. Thinking hard, he couldn’t quite remember ever even getting tattoos. As he grabbed the cube, it began to glow, a bright blue. The color of crystal-clear ocean water. From that point, everything was bnk. *

  *Jack continued to dance, “Enjoy it.” “Just pretend.” He was having fun, wasn’t he? He had not partied like this in a long time, since his obsession with machines had consumed him. The music driving him on, the drug made the music come to life, he could feel it, see it, he danced with it, and his friends, his king. *

  *Eric could sense the others having a good time. They were doing exactly as he ordered them to. It felt good that they were so obedient. In fact, it was the only thing that felt good. This drug was not helping him. He felt as if he could sense what people were thinking, their intentions. So loud in fact he could hardly hear the music, and he was having trouble keeping rhythm. He felt like he was being watched by something he kept seeing out of the corner of his eyes. Strange looking animals of the rain forest. For a moment he could swear a Goril was watching him, wrapped in vines and glowing green. He rubbed his eyes “It’s just the fucking drug Eric,” he told himself. “Pull yourself together!” That story Ahmadou just told him of his grandfather pying in his mind. He could not force himself to enjoy this at all, but he couldn’t abandon his men. This was his pn after all. He could see Jean walking back towards them, he had seen him walk over to the bar a moment ago. He gave Jean a troubled look, Jean could tell Eric wasn’t feeling well. *

  Jean: Eric, I just ordered us some drinks and more Phantastica. It’s been over an hour, the clocks just chimed. Maybe we should head to dinner once they bring our stuff. You going to be alright?

  Eric: I’m fine, just do as you were told.

  *Jean feeling the coldness from Eric’s words, decided to just let it slide and he joined the others in dancing. Still feeling shaken from the ring, he had tried to take from Marco, he decided to hold off on anymore of that. At least, for now. *

  *The drinks arrived and everyone cheered, each grabbing a new pill and a mug. Without hesitation they all pced them in their mouths. Just enjoying the moment, driven on by their commands. 1 drink and 1 pill remained. Eric reluctantly grabbed them, slowly pcing the pill in his mouth. Jean watched closely as Eric did what he had ordered them to do. Jean felt for Eric, he could tell his pride was on the line, but he was struggling with something. Too proud to tell him about it, he felt as if maybe their retionship was more one sided than he had hoped. He respected the fact that Eric endured, but he couldn’t help but feel things might take a turn for the worst. The original pn was not a bad idea, but these drugs changed that. *

  *The men continued to dance, completely forgetting about dinner for the time. The clock’s bells began to chime, no one able to really hear them with the music being so loud. Jean though, could hear them loud and clear. In fact, that’s all he could hear, a welcoming pink glow cast itself through the doorway, calling to Jean. Again, mesmerized he began to walk towards the doorway. As he slowly walked toward the doorway, Eric noticed him. He ran over to Jean, who seemed to be in a trance, grabbing his shoulder hard and turning him around. *

  Eric: Jean, what are you doing?

  *The bells of the clock died down, and Jean appeared to come out of his trance, Eric standing in front of him looking concerned. *

  Jean: What just happened?

  Eric: I don’t know man you tell me. You were walking towards the door like a fucking zombie.

  Jean: I was?

  Eric: Yeah man, what the hell?

  Jean: I don’t know Eric. The clocks are calling to me.

  Eric: Jean, stay away from those clocks, you understand?

  Jean: Yes, sir. We should get to dinner, it’s 8 o’clock.

  Eric: Yeah, let’s…

  *As Eric turned around, the whole dance hall turned into a tropical rainforest. A lone Goril stood before him. The same one he had been seeing, up close he could make more features out. The Goril looked as if it had been formed entirely out of trees, and vines. Branches forming muscle fibers, not entirely complete, holes in spots glowed green from within, with neon green eyes, staring deeply into Eric’s soul. Not speaking, but communicating with Eric. “Come to me Eric, you’ll know where to find me. When it feels like it’s too te, come to me.” Jean shaking Eric, the rainforest disappearing, Eric came back to reality. *

  Jean: Let’s what?

  *Eric gathered himself*

  Eric: Go to dinner. Everyone! Let’s go get something to eat.

  *He turned to Marco, and yelled so he could hear. *

  Eric: Marco, show us to the dining hall!

  *Marco came closer, the group gathering instinctively, feeling Eric’s command. *

  Marco: Yes of course, it is getting te, a good time to take a break. This has been one hell of a night so far! I can’t remember dancing this much, in quite some time. I’d love to join you for dinner, if that’s alright.

  Eric: Yeah, that’s fine. You seem alright Marco.

  *Eric didn’t really think that of course. He knew this was all part of their pn. He felt a surge of violent thoughts running through his mind. He imagined running his fist through Marco’s chest and ripping his heart out. Maybe it was the drugs, but he felt as if he could do this if he tried. Fighting back the urge to attempt it he smiled at Marco, not a friendly smile… one that portrayed violence, a twisted smile. He could sense the fear in Marco rising. Eric wondered what he was seeing, being just as high as the rest of them. *

  *Little did Eric know. His very thoughts were forced into Marco’s mind. Marco stood frozen in fear. He did not even fear Mother Agbor as much as he feared this man right now. He envisioned his heart being ripped out, a beast stood before him, still Eric, but beast like, almost as if a half man half Goril stood before him, smiling, ughing. An overwhelming urge to bow to the beast before him. Marco dropped to his knees, begging for his life. *

  Marco: Please! I beg you! Don’t kill me! I will serve you and only you! I will die for you

  Jean: What the fuck did you do Eric?

  Eric: Nothing! What the fuck! I don’t know… I just had a thought that’s all.

  Jean: And what was that?

  Eric: He just pisses me off, acting like we don’t fucking know their stupid pns. I didn’t mean to, okay?

  Jean: Sure, but you said we shouldn’t hide anything Eric… What were you thinking?

  Eric: Fine! Fuck! I envisioned ripping his heart out.

  *Marco remained on the ground, on his knees with his head to the floor, begging for his life. *

  Jean: Well fucking do something! You’re going to draw a crowd.

  Eric: Stop fucking yelling! I’m this fucking close to losing my fucking mind!

  *Eric held his finger and thumb close together, shoving them in Jeans face. Jean frozen in fear. Eric sensed he’d went to far, but his anger was rising he did not want to admit more fault of his own. He was too prideful. He focused on Marco. *

  Eric: Rise… I SAID FUCKING RISE!

  *Marco stood up quickly. Still sniveling he looked at Eric, begging with his eyes. *

  Eric: You’re mine now, you understand?

  Marco: Yes, my lord.

  *Eric moved close to Marco, so only he could hear. *

  Eric: Betray me and I will kill you, then find everyone you ever loved or cared about, and kill them too.

  Marco: Yes, of course, my lord, I live to serve.

  Eric: Now lead the way to the dining hall, and act normal. NOW!

  Marco: Yes of course, sir, right away. Right this way everyone.

  *Marco wiped his face and grabbed a napkin from the bar, clearing his nose and throwing it in the trash, he led them back to the hidden elevator, since there was still a rge crowd around the main elevator. *

  Eric: Aren’t there any fucking stairs around here?

  Marco: Yes, there are, would you prefer to take those?

  Eric: No just curious is all. Tell me Marco what are they pnning?

  Marco: I’m not sure my lord, I just do whatever I’m told. I’m just an assistant.

  Eric: You’re not lying, are you? What about the drugs?

  Marco: Those were just a gift from Caliko, he’s a longtime acquaintance of mine, and he knows how much I do enjoy his creations.

  Eric: That’s it?

  *By this time, they were making there way into the elevator. *

  Marco: Yes, I swear it.

  Eric: Anything else we should know.

  Marco: Yes, Mother Agbor put a ring in my pocket. I think it’s cursed, at least I saw her put some kind of spell on it. She put it in my pocket and said it wasn’t meant for me.

  Eric: And?

  Marco: That’s it I swear, I just did as I was told, I haven’t touched it.

  *He felt his chest, where the hidden pocket was. *

  Marco: It’s still there I can feel it.

  *Jean, as if compelled to speak from the command not to hide anything, spoke up. *

  Jean: I tried to take it earlier… I knew it was cursed when I pulled it out of his pocket so I put it back.

  *The elevator arrived at the first floor and they headed for the dining hall. Everyone listening in on the conversation intently. *

  Eric: Interesting, so it was probably meant for you then, Jean. How were you not cursed?

  Jean: I don’t know, my mind cast some protection magic. I know the spell of course, but I didn’t do it by choice. Almost like instinct kicking in, but I honestly don’t know Eric.

  Eric: What about the clocks Marco, Jean said they keep calling to him, you know anything about that?

  Marco: Well, not really… but I know Mother Agbor has used them before for something. I’ve seen people before, powerful people. Entranced by them, mesmerized. They would walk towards the clocks… I never saw them again after that. That’s all I know I swear it. They pay me not to ask questions.

  Eric: Jean, stay away from them that’s a command. I told you they were bad news.

  Jean: Yes, of course.

  *They entered the dining hall, 100s of tables filled the room, with white table cloths, and African Bck Wood chairs, with leather cushions surrounding the tables. Expensive African art dispyed decoratively throughout the dining hall. As they were seated a waitress poured them some water, and some sobolo drink, a sweetened drink made from flowers of the roselle pnt. Then she expined the menu. *

  Female Waitress: Tonight, we are serving creamy beet and potato sad along with catfish pepper soup, for the main entrée Ivoirian Alloco and braised chicken, a side of jollof rice, and an assortment of bread and butter will also be brought to the table, for dessert chocote malva pudding paired with the creamiest homemade vanil ice cream, my absolute favorite part. We do have some alternatives, if you do not like any of the ingredients, but these are the dishes I highly recommend. We have some of the finest African chefs cooking for us tonight, please tell me if you wish to have anything substituted, I will bring your drinks, and bread for now.

  *As she walked off, Eric turned to Marco. *

  Eric: Marco, these drugs are really fucking with me. I’m seeing a lot of shit, and I can hardly control my anger. What the fuck did you do to us?

  Marco: Caliko told me if I’m having a difficult time to drink more of the beer. He said he put some stuff in it to help calm the trip. I’ll go get us some right away.

  *Marco ran off to the nearest bar, not wishing to wait for the waitress to come back. Before he had run off, Eric grabbed his wrist. *

  Eric: I can sense you now, that you’re mine. I will know if you do anything to warn others.

  Marco: Yes, sir.

  *Marco hurried off. *

  *Marco came back with the beer, everyone enjoyed their meal, no substitutes were made. They enjoyed some of the finest cuisine Africa had to offer. *

  Eric: Well, Caliko wasn’t lying this beer is really helping. No more drugs, for anyone, at least for tonight. I say we get another beer and go for a swim. You did say they had a pool right Marco?

  Marco: Yes, they do, that’s a great idea!

  Eric: Where do we get swim wear?

  Marco: Um… usually sir… everyone just goes nude.

  *Eric pretending not to be surprised. *

  Eric: Right! Of course, it is a party after all… everyone Ready?

  *Eric looked around, everyone full to the brim. *

  Jack: I’m all for a dip, but I may need some time to digest, so I’ll probably just float around.

  Steve: Yeah, me too!

  Eric: Whatever, you do you.

  *The men all headed for the secret elevator, by now they just knew where to go. The clocks began to chime again, 9 o’clock, it had taken them an hour to eat. Jean, entranced began to walk towards the clock. This time slower, as if he was struggling to hold back. He screamed in agony. *

  Eric: What the fuck Jean! Snap out of it.

  *Wrapping his arms around Jean, he held him in pce. Jean continued to struggle, cries of pain echoing through the halls. People beginning to stare *

  Marco: Nothing to see here, we’re just enjoying the party, move along. I SAID MOVE ALONG!

  *The people starring rushed off, not wishing to get involved with whatever was happening. *

  Eric: Thanks, Marco.

  Marco: You’re welcome, sir.

  *The clocks’ bells ended, and Jean came to. He dropped to his knees clutching his head. *

  Jean: FUCK! What was that? God my head is pounding.

  Eric: Seemed like a battle, between my power and the power of those clocks.

  *They all stared at them, they just looked like normal grandfather clocks to the rest of them. To Jean though, a welcoming invite. Knowing it was something sinister, he felt extremely creeped out. It had to be very powerful magic. *

  Jean: Whatever, let’s just go.