i had never been down the dark alley behind the multistory megaclub before. i know, though, that the heavy, square peg in my pocket is the key that everyone has so desperately been looking for. walking down the dark damp alley, i avoid the puddles, the stench of urban decay, and thinking about what’s about to unfold.
through the fog, i finally find the anonymous rear door. i lean onto the intercom button, feeling the crappy cctv camera looking down on me. the buzzer buzzes, static sqwuaks, but the door doesn’t open. i push, i pull—nothing. i stand there awkwardly, turning over and over this heavy key in my right hand.
the door swings open, and i’m greeted by… him. handsome, but with dark circles under his eyes. without a word, he takes me through countless rooms, past bunk beds of lanky, shirtless lads lounging around, reading, whispering, napping. strange.
we enter a huge, strangely ornate and elegant common area with high ceilings that resembles a hotel lobby, circa 1860. the room is expansive, and i can’t even imagine how it fits into the tiny building i just entered off the alley. he motions for me to sit on one of the leather sofas, by the fireplace.
one by one, the cute boys slither down from their bunk beds to join me on the sofas. they’re all staring intently at me. fear? anger? lust? i stare back.
i can recognize each and every one—of course—they’re the flyer boys for the megaclub next door. but there’s something more, something sour, something… dark. this key i have means a lot to them. it wasn’t an easy key to come by, and i’m having second thoughts about giving it back.
the handsome man returns, head held low. behind him is an older woman. she has tightly-pursed lips, a slight haunch, but a definite air of authority. she whispers into his ear. he winces, and runs off. the boys look down nervously as she comes to sit next to me. she lights a cigarette, and turns to me…
