"So who the heck is that guy, anyways?" Tom nodded towards the strange, metal-headed man by the stage of the strip club. "He new in town?"

Dave shrugged. "He's definitely pretty memorable, ain't he? Can't say I'd forget a guy like that." The two took a moment to drink from their respective beers. The man in question didn't seem that terribly interested in the girls on the poles. He just tipped back in his chair, smoked his cigarette, and watched. "Looks like he's a pretty tough customer."

"Heh, yeah, definitely..." Tom waved to a waitress, flagging her down. "Hey, when's the show start, anyway?"

"Show starts at eight, fellas." She smiled her flirty, fake, million-times-a-night smile. "Need some live singing, I take it? Already a big show goin' on."

Dave grinned, nodding. "Yeah. Gotta get our money's worth, y'know?" Dave checked his watch, nodding to himself. Five til eight. He suspected his watch was in need of a new battery again, though. As the waitress headed off, he looked to his buddy. "Betcha he'll get impressed by the show, eh?"

Tom nodded. "Yep. That's what I'm banking on."

The two friends looked up as the lights of the club adjusted, whirling about as the stage went black. A sensual voice called out on the intercom. "Having a good time, everyone?" As the crowded club lifted their drinks and cheered in unison, drums counted off the first beats of the song. Guitar quickly joined in, the lights changing yet again. "You've proven it with your wallets and all those flowers! She's earned the right to be the club favorite! Give it up, boys, for Maria!"

The lights of the stage raised to a rich pink, illuminating the lone girl on the stage, scant light from her spotlight cast on a trio behind her huddled around a microphone. Maria smiled her best, sauciest smile, her microphone headset nestled in her hair. Dazzling all with both her body and metallic pink lingere, she began to sing a smooth, longing melody. Red took his cigarette from his helmet, crushing it in the ashtray on his table. Maria played the crowd well throughout the number, her repeated chorus expressed in her seeming search of the audience as she traversed the peninsular stage. Her eyes rested a moment on Red before continuing on past him. rounding the stage and settling on the pole in the middle.

Red rummaged in his pocket as the song drew closer to the end, her performance continuing as she clung to the pole, sliding up and down its length between her splayed legs. Pinching the cigarette tightly between his fingers, Red could hardly contain himself from climbing onto the stage as she went into a veritable orgasm during the song's coda, hanging upside down on the pole, her fingers grasping at the floor. As the song ended, the stage grew dark again while the girls left the stage, replaced yet again with the regular dancers while the band continued on into a swifter, more folk-themed song to match the new group of dancers in their cowgirl bikinis. Red finally lit his cigarette, settling it in his helmet with a satisfied sigh. "Mariaaaa..."

Maria yanked her headset off in her dressing room, throwing it to the vanity. The piece of equipment landed atop numerous bouquets and love notes, causing the flowers' wrappings to crinkle on impact. The night had been stressful enough already. No matter how well she did, her boss always got a kick out of questioning her ID. Did he think he was funny or something? How much more did she have to do? She already had enough to worry about. When it wasn't him questioning her, it was the hospital. When it wasn't them, it was the insurance company. When would it end?

Two knocks on her door caused her to glance at her mirror, smoothing her hair out before turning towards the door. "Who is it?"

"It's James!"

Her eyes widened. She rushed to the door, yanking it wide open. Red waved to her, his other hand occupied with hanging onto a dead security guard. "Hey! You opened it!"

Maria glared at him. "How many years has it been, Red?"

"Oh dear. You're mad, aren't you?" He flung the guard off to the opposite wall of the hallway.

"You said you'd call me!"

"Damnit. I was afraid you'd be mad."

She stormed back into her room, tossing her hands about. "I gave you my home phone, then I called you to give you my mobile, then I sent back your post cards with my new address on them!" She turned back to him, shaking her head and opening her hands. "What the hell happened? Fall off the planet or something?"

"Maria?"

"What?"

Red lifted his cigarette to his helmet. "Why are you so mad?"

Maria curled her hands into fists, turning away and folding her arms. "...So where's your stupid friend?"

"Who? Eddie?" He shrugged. "Stuff happened."

"No, the other one with the helmet."

Red took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaling shortly after. "Eh. He didn't do to well in the faking part of faking his own death. Dumbass really did kill himself." Red watched her from the threshold, stepping into the room and quietly closing the door behind himself. "I uh... Got something for you." He quietly slid his hand into his pocket.

"Oh?" She turned back to him, her hair swinging about with her turn. "And what would that be? Another one of your stupid coupon books?"

"No," he blurted, digging deeper in his pocket. "I got you..." His fingers reaching something, he pulled it out, presenting it to her. "A-" He paused to figure out what he'd pulled out. "-button!" Maria arched a brow, her eyes half-lidded and lips set in a line. "It's a special button."

"Oh? Why's it so special?"

"Because, y'know..." He turned the button over in his fingers. Where had he gotten such a shoddy plastic button? "It's from Silent Hill. Y'know. That place..." Her eyes narrowed, brows lowering. "...where you used to work..."

A passing technician, unsatisfied with the malfunctioning bar lights, paused as he walked by. Sounds were coming from the star's room, loud sounds of shrieks and yells. He looked around for anyone nearby, stepping closer and leaning on the wall beside the door. A janitor happened by next, spotting the techie. He blinked a few times, taking a spot beside the door as well. "You hearing this, man?" The janitor nodded. "Think it has something to do with him?" The techie pointed to the guard's corpse, causing the janitor to gasp in surprise. The two nodded to each other, running off.