car.
“As well as to be expected,” I sighed as I watched the skeleton of the tent start to rise.
“Lying to her is almost useless,” she said in her defense.
“I know, she had her fun at my expense. It would have had to to happen eventually.” I sat down on the hood of my car and looked up. “Has the canvas come yet?
“Yes, it’s in the container over there,” she pointed, “also everyone on your list except for..”
“Alison, I know. Mother wouldn't give her up.”
“That was more for your peace of mind, not her ability.”
“Please don't remind me its why I alluded to it.” That got a laugh out of June. “You really should just pick one.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“Some on your list are older,” she said, changing the subject.
“I want them to remember the essence of Masteria and bring it alive. Also, I have worked with them in the past, they have seen me deal with the failure of others and what they are allowed to do in the event, they know what’s at stake if the safety of my guest is ever placed in danger.”
Excitement like I had not felt in a long time kept me at Masteria day and night as soon as the canvas was up. Modifications to the interior left much of the main space opened to hold the dance floor: all audio equipment was held in the skeleton of the structure, hidden by folds in the canvas just as my office was. As I looked down on everyone moving about the interior, my excitement was laced with worry. As my mother said, the old Masteria were places of sex, lust, and death. The new Masteria would embody the thrill of the night and the lights and sounds of music. “It had to,” I told myself.
“What do you think?” June asked me a week before opening as we walked the interior of the structure.
“It’s what I imagined,” I said looking around.
The single original crest of the tent had been altered into three more graceful curves. The original height of almost three stories, not including the crest, was shortened to two, allowing the canvas to be moved around and let the tent sit lower and wider than before. Inside, a lattice of metal work created a bar; office spaces and elevated dance and performance platforms were linked by bridges of metal chain and rope. I couldn't help but smile as I looked around as my creation came to life. I could already sense the excitement of everyone finishing up the last touches before we opened in two days.
“Have you given the sound system a test run yet?” I asked.
“Just for levels,” June explained.
“Mix something, I want to hear what we have created.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she smiled.
The instant June moved to her turntables, the sounds of work died. Whenever June put those headphones on, she became a different being. Before I could hear anything, she started to sway to a rhythm that I soon heard as a low click that was clear and crisp over the speakers. I closed my eyes and felt the music and the bass begin to fill in the spectrum. I felt the hand of a woman slide around my waist as she circled me. I changed direction and she followed quickly taking my lead as her everything. I heard her moan as I moved her around the floor my hand and movements testing just how far I could push her. The house music came in full force and we