Kate returns to the owners table to ask of his assessment of her audition (she already knows) and the owner is absolutely speechless, still spellbound by Emerald's performance. He tells Kate she has the job and wonders if she would be available for a performance at the club at midnight that very night. Kate is ecstatic, of course, and indicates she can make it at that time. She asks about compensation and is told she can set her own price for the evening as long as she performs the exact routine she just performed for her audition, understanding the ensemble will be providing the music. Emerald agrees so long as the music is exactly as she provided earlier, except for being performed live. "Not a problem," the owner says since the musicians are the very best his quite generous compensation demands. He then tells her he has some very important acquaintances that will be there around midnight and he wants her to perform for them. It is quite the honor and she can tell the other dancers are already showing a little jealously of the attention she is receiving. Kate tells him she will be back at half past eleven to prepare for the midnight dance.
Kate is overjoyed and she leaves her costume in her dressing room, locking the door before heading off to tell Dani of her success.
Meanwhile, Rick is just entering the Ballroom for his grand entrance into his launch party. Tonight is all about Rick Castle, Master of the Macabre. He delights in the attention and basks in the raves of the attendees. He immediately finds Patterson and Lehane who have obviously laid claim to the free bar. They are in rare form and are looking to give Rick a hard time even as they praise his work. They speak highly of his novels, but will never admit it to him.
"Hey, Rick," asks Patterson, "Still riding the tired Storm horse? Isn't it about time to put him out to pasture and get a new idea for a change?"
Rick immediately retorts, "This coming from the author of Alex Cross? How many books has he been in and how weary is the readership of his exploits?"
James simply smiles and says, "Just for your information, he just bought me my own private jet. Maybe someday I'll let you tag along, if you think you can keep up?" Rick laughs heartily along with the rest of the writers in attendance. Rick can dish it out with the best of them, but can take as he gives also. He's not yet done with James for the evening.
Rick passes smoothly throughout the audience and hobnobs comfortably with the rich and famous of the Hollywood society set. He is in his element. His polished mannerism immediately sets everyone at ease and makes them think they are Rick's one best friend. He instinctively knows what to say and not say to each and every individual he speaks, whether it be the most rich and powerful of the night, the busboy clearing tables or the waitress distributing drinks. Rick remembers his humble beginnings and does not demean the working stiffs. Any job that is done properly is honorable and the person needs to be treated as such. He is friend to all and not just in name.
Later in the evening, Paula comes up to him with an older gentleman in his late 50's. Paula introduces him to Rick and informs him that the gentleman owns several extremely exclusive Gentlemen's Clubs in the area and would like to speak to him about a party he is preparing to honor Rick's successful book launch.
"Good to meet you, Rick, congratulations on the success of your book and it's launch. My name is Mr. Ian Haverson and I own what are considered the best, most exclusive Gentlemen's clubs on the West Coast, probably in the entire U.S. I have recently, just today, in fact hired a new dancer for my flagship club here in L.A. and have arranged for an exclusive dance for you and your friends tonight at midnight. I would be honored if you would consider accompanying me to my club for her debut performance. You can bring your closest writer friends with you. I have transportation for you, so you can enjoy the evening in your own style. Just remember, my clubs are strictly high class, no hijinks are be tolerated. My clientele pay handsomely to have a safe, unobtrusive environment in which to enjoy the best in exotic dancing and top shelf libations. I can assure you will be more than enthralled with her performance. What do you say?"
Rick thinks for just a moment. He knows that attendance at the club would be great for his image, but also understands he is not a true party animal at heart. It is just a ruse for the sake of publicity. However, since the club is very exclusive and Patterson and crew will be coming with him, he only a little reluctantly agrees.
"Mr. Haverson, I will be honored to attend your soiree and will personally bring my select friends to your club tonight for the debut performance of your new entertainer. I hope her performance is as entrancing as you describe. We will be there just before midnight to get settled in and I assure you we will be on our best behavior."
"Very good," Mr. Haverson responds, "I will reserve my finest table and best brandy for you since you are my invited guests. And of course all is on the house. Just announce yourself to the doorman and he will arrange for you and your guests to be escorted to your table. It is my honor to have you as a guest in my club as my wife is a great fan of yours."
"Oh, then I will bring a signed copy of my book for her as a token of my appreciation," Rick says. "See you then."
Later that night, Paula and Gina, his publisher, corner Rick and tell him the launch has exceeded that of any of his other books and because of this, he has been asked for additional book signings in the L.A. area. Rick agrees so long as it does not extend his absence from Alexis. She is still his highest priority and staying away from her for longer than he originally promised is not negotiable. Both Paula and Gina agreed and left to start planning the logistics of the additional duties for him. Just before they left, he informed them of the commitment he made to Mr. Haverson and he and his closest friends would be leaving around 11:30. Not a problem both of the women agreed since Rick had already more than met his commitments for the launch.
It had been a great night so far and Rick was looking for it to continue at Mr. Haverson's club. Little did he know just how his world and his future would be rocked that night.
Kate was so excited when she met with Dani later in the evening. She was going on and on about how her audition went and how much the owner liked her dance. She explained a little about her routine and Dani was enthralled with the description, knowing the chosen soulful music well. Kate was all giggly when she explained the owner had asked her back for a special midnight performance for some special guests. Dani told her it was a very unique honor, especially since Kate had just auditioned that very day.
Kate had a couple of drinks and then made her way back to the club. She was more relaxed now since the newness of exotic dancing and the unknown of her audition were behind her. She really looked forward to her next performance… thinking she could do even better than this afternoon.
She asked one of the regular dancers, Stella, if there were many in the club tonight now that it was open to the clientele.
Stella replied, "Oh, the club is filled. Mr. Haverson has been talking up how great your dance was this afternoon and the word has gotten around. Many of the club patrons are here to see the 'new' entertainer. I hope you are up to performing for a packed house. Mr. Haverson has even invited some very special guests for your first public dance. He didn't tell me who they were since that is the policy of the club. If the men want to tell you who they are, then that is at the discretion of the individual. We do run a very exclusive private club. The emphasis is on private and discreet. That is a non-negotiable rule you must understand if you want to be successful here"
Emerald (now that she was in the club) was impressed with the actions of Mr. Haverson inviting special guests for her debut and also had to admit it made her just a bit nervous. She would be dancing for some very important men on her very first night in the club. Well, wasn't that the reason she came here to start with, to experience the very thing this night had in store for her? She made up her mind that she would be the best dancer any of them had ever seen and after seeing her act she would own all their thoughts. She would absolutely control the room.
Stella helped her with her costume and her hair. She decided to put it up for the routine where earlier that day her hair was down, long waves around her shoulders. With her hair up, she looked even more regal than earlier. She applied her make-up to accentuate her features now on prominent display since her hair was out of her face. She applied just a little more eyeliner and shadow than normal to enhance the natural beauty of her eyes. The smokiness of her eyes provided an allure that would be nearly irresistible. That was the look and effect she was going for. Her first dance would be absolutely unforgettable to anyone in the club. Tonight she would shine. Stella told her the special guests were seated at the owners table where he had been earlier today. Mr. Haverson had invited her to dance just for his honored guests so she would give them an unforgettable evening.
What she didn't know is that it would be one she would not forget either.