CHAPTER III

"Okay guys, we are getting closer to Prickley Pines. We can take a quick stop a Camp Kidney though. Based on this guide, Camp Kidney is a famous rest stop for hikers on their way to the town." Matthew said. "So let's get moving.

We walked for another 20-30 minutes before arriving at the entrance of Camp Kidney. Strangely there was no one behind, not even the scoutmaster there to greet us.

Simon joked again: "Maybe the Slenderman took them." I let out a short chuckle.

And then we heard it, party music. The new EDM genre, something that Gaille to dance a bit. It was playing The Chainsmoker's Closer. "Whoever these guys are, they have good taste of party music." She said.

"Yep. They must miss the city as much." Dana added. "Or they just want to add to the EDM scene to this rural part of Wisconsin."

We followed the sound of the music that lead to the back of the camp. To our surprise, we saw a group of anthropomorphic animals and some human hikers dancing in an empty square drawn from the ground. Even some park rangers from the U.S. Department of the Interior decided to take a break and join the fun.

"Unbelievable." I said.

"Are those animals and people dancing?" Gaille said.

"It appears so. They are in a middle of an empty square. No walls, no windows, no doors, yet there is music and they appear to be busy enjoying." JJ said.

"Reminds of that episode of Spongebob Squarepants where they used the box and their imagination produced the sounds." I joked.

"This is ain't our imagination though, we all can hear the music." James added.

Suddenly, this cute spider monkey "exited" the club and introduced himself to us. "Greetings my fellow humans. My name is Lazlo and this is my club called The Nothing Club. You guys are welcome to join in."

"Did you just say The Nothing Club?" JJ asked.

"Yes, The Nothing Club because it initially started out as nothing and then became something as we brainstormed our ideas." Lazlo replied.

Initially, we were shocked and appalled. These people and anthropomorphic animals were able to make an imaginary club become a reality. Maybe Spongebob and Patrick were right, we just have to use our imagination. The thought however sunk on me about how we can make things if we make it real.

"By the way, my I know your names and where you guys came from?" Lazlo asked.

"My name's Matthew and I'm from Cebu, Philippines."

"Hi Lazlo, my name is Gillan and I'm from Cebu too."

"Call me JJ, I'm from Cebu as well."

"My name is James, I'm from Australia and this my girlfriend Dana."

"Hi, may name's Dana. I'm Filipino-American. I'm from New York but I'm currently having my education in Manila same with my boyfriend James."

"I'm Alex and I'm from Papua New Guinea."

"Oh nice to meet you guys. Come right in." Lazlo said.

After we got introduced, Lazlo led us to the "door" into The Nothing Club. As he opened the imaginary door, we heard the music loudly. To welcome us, this elephant who was the club's DJ changed the song to Manian's Welcome to the Club to welcome us, the new comers to this place.

We felt welcome and at home with this group of anthropomorphic animals and some people partying and dancing in this empty square. To the outside, we look like a bunch of crazy people but once you step inside The Nothing Club, we can do anything we want. I then took out my smartphone and took pictures of the people and the animals partying, taking huge selfies one after the other. I posted some videos and photos on SnapChat and Instagram stories. My hiking group also did the same, taking out their smartphones for photos and or videos. It was living proof enough the imagination can become reality. I had to shout as I called my members' names as the music was really loud enough to drown out our voices. The music was all EDM and Rap, mixed with songs from the artists DJ Snake, Hardwell, Afrojack, Zedd, Eminem, and many others. At some point, I see this anthropomorphic white platypus come up next to the "door" of the Nothing Club. I could hear Lazlo call him up from inside, inviting him to join over. I could not here his reply but I could see him try the turning the "knob" to the door of The Nothing Club.

"I hear it!" The platypus known as Edward said in disbelief and awe as he tried to enter. "I hear it! I hear it!"

Before he could enter however, this anthropomorphic moose I assume to the scoutmaster appeared and grabbed Edward by the shoulder. I could hear the conversation well since the "door" was left open.

"Hold it!" The scoutmaster said. "You're the mutated beaver who organized the boat building, aren't you? Well beaver, you just turn around and march around to the beach and salvage all those boats from the bottom of the lake and build them all again! NOW!"

I assume Edward got in trouble for something unknown to me and my group judging by the scoutmaster's tone. As I saw him walk away is disappointment, Lazlo called out Edward one last time before the platypus left.

"Hey Edward, where you going? Edward! I would like to thank you for this club!" Lazlo shouted to Edward.

Edward stopped on his tracks and looked back, happy and touched that despite his hate for Lazlo, he was able to make him and the fellow campers as well as a few human guests happy. He actually felt bad for what he did but somehow he felt that he redeemed himself when gave the idea of The Nothing Club to Lazlo.

"Thanks for Nothing!" Lazlo shouted.

I was still in the middle of partying when Gaille took out her GoPro and called out the rest of the crowd. She planned to make a vlog of this once we got back to the Philippines. Taking out the selfie stick, she then expanded it to full height so that everyone behind her could be seen.

"Hey guys, say hi to the camera. Hi!" She said.

I showed up with the flag of the Philippines in my hand, yelling "PH represent!"

It had almost been 30 minutes since we were here and the house was till pumping. At this point, more hikers started appearing with Lazlo welcoming them into his club. I was guessing at this rate we would reach the campsite next to Prickley Pines by sundown. So I then called out Matthew in the midst of all the dancing and imaginary drinks.

"Hey Matt, when do you guys wanna keep going?"

"Let's just enjoy as much as possible Gill. After all, everything is free here." He replied. The crowd even got wilder with everyone singing along to Krewella's Alive. Oh what a matching song for the moment we were in. Following his advice, I continued dancing and interacting with the crowd. I also used this moment to party with Gaille, as I never did when I was undergrad and during the annual Sinulog Festival. Dang, she parties hard. I then go near Lazlo to thank him for this moment, even though I was dumbfounded at the thought of an imaginary nightclub in a camp located in the middle of the Wisconsinite wilderness.

"Hey Lazlo, I just want thank you for Nothing! My friends and I have are definitely gonna remember this moment."

"Sure thing buddy!" He said as the party never stopped.

A lot of memories and moments were made that day and it stayed for with us in minds (and our cameras to be soon posted on Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter) as we left the States a few days later and returned back to our home in the Philippines.

THE END