Chapter 118: Tree Hill
Thursday, January 5th, Night
This visitor's pass allowed him out of the lobby, and down a small hallway. It wasn't his first time here, and he knew the pass system would only allow him to pass through certain doors, or access certain floors from the elevator. There's a surprisingly high level of security in the Scott Building, and he had yet to figure out why.
Finally, he came to a door that had a sign on it that simply said, Punk'd and Disorderly Studios. He tried the door handle, and the electric lock clicked allowing him access. Stepping through the doorway he ended up in a lobby and found an older woman standing there waiting for him. She wasn't remarkable, he noted, looked in good shape, wore an open button-down shirt, jeans, and a black tank top that in red letters said, Punk'd and Disorderly Studios. He could see traces of a tattoo sticking out here or there at the edges of her clothes.
"Hey Garvan, Brett's finishing up now, she'll be right out," Magdalena "Mags" McMichael said. She ran the studios, and Garvan was surprised to find her sitting at the front desk.
"Thanks," Garvan Muir said, "Would you happen to know what Brett has planned for tonight?"
Mags shook her head, "No, I figure you'd know since you're going," she said.
"I was planning something until last night. Brett texted me a change of plans, but wouldn't tell me what the new plans are," Garvan said.
Mags shrugged, "Maybe she wants to keep it a surprise," she said.
"I guess," he replied, as the door to the back opened and Brett walked out, jacket in hand, and a backpack slung over her shoulder. She looked up and saw Garvan and smiled.
"Hey Babe," Brett said.
"Hey Babe, yourself," Garvan said, as they walked towards each other, embraced, then kissed.
"Awe, young love," Mags said.
They broke apart, laughing. Brett looked at Garvan, "Let's get going," she said.
"Going where?" Garvan said.
"Where you're taking me tonight," Brett said and led him out of the studio's office. In the building lobby, Garvan returned his pass and Brett put on her jacket.
"Who's driving?" Garvan asked.
"Follow me," Brett said, "For now."
Garvan follows Brett through the streets, till they came to a turnoff, which Brett took. Garvan followed, confused as it was a gravel road. Finally, they came to a build where Brett parked her vehicle. Garvan did the same.
Brett got out of her vehicle and got two gym bags out of the back of it. She signaled Garvan to get out and followed her.
"What is this place?" Garvan asked.
"It's the carriage house at Beaulieu Manor, where the extra cars are kept," Brett said.
"What are we doing here?" Garvan asked.
"Getting changed," Brett said.
"Why here?" Garvan asked.
"We can leave your car here, get changed in secret, I know it's not locked, and no one will find us," Brett said.
"How do you know that?" Garvan asked.
Brett laughed, "I have my ways," she said, and led him inside. They found several rooms made up as lounges. Brett pushed Garvan down on a sofa. He smiled, but Brett shook her head.
"Not what you think," Brett said, "Wait here while I change."
Garvan nodded, as Brett walked into the other room with a gym bag. He looked around the room and wondered what was going on. He noticed Brett left one of the gym bags. Getting up, he walked over to it and looked inside of it. There were men's clothes in it. He looked them over and wasn't sure, he didn't know what to make of it.
Brett came into the room again, and Garvan turned to look at her. She had completely changed her appearance, the only thing that seemed to remain was her ginger red hair. Garvan swore she was wearing a black high neck corset, her pants hugged her legs and had cutouts that had laces through them. Her make-up had a dark vampiristic look to it now, and she wore heeled boots.
"Good you found your bag," Brett said.
"Brett, where are we going?" Garvan asked.
"Trust me, you'll love it," Brett said, "Now get changed."
Garvan nodded and took up the gym bag. He went into the other room. Brett waited and Garvan stepped out looking at her strangely.
"You want us to go goth?" he asked.
Brett smiled, "Don't worry, it's worth it," she said.
"Okay, I trust you," Garvan said.
Brett smiled, "You better," she said, as they collected their stuff and went down to Brett's car. The gym bags went in the back and they drove off.
Garvan lost track of where they were. Brett seemed to have taken a roundabout route to get where they were going. Finally, Brett parked and they got out. Garvan followed her down the street.
There were already people collecting in a line outside what to Garvan looked like an old Gothic revival Church. He noted the building was dominated by a hundred-foot bell tower, and in the low light, the building looked black.
Before they reached the building, Brett stopped him and handed him something. He looked down as he saw a picture of himself looking back, and saying he's twenty-one-years-old.
"Trust me, they should work," Brett said, and led him up the broad steps, of what Garvan could still say it was a church.
Finally, they reached the doorman. He stood in front of the crowd looking stern, and keep the crowd in check by his mere presence. Garvan swore this man could play linebacker for the Panthers. Brett showed him her fake ID, and from behind his Ray Ban Sunglasses, which he wore at night, he let her in. Garvan did the same and quickly followed his girlfriend inside.
Garvan looked for Brett and found her handing him a ticket. He nodded and followed her to coat check. Taking her coat, she stood at the counter. Garvan took place next to her to check his coat also. He noticed the coat check girl, was on the short side but had big doe brown eyes, long loose curly brown hair, she wore black elbow-length gloves, a black corset that bared her shoulders, and tight black leather pants. He noted her make-up made her look dark and mysterious.
"I love your hair," The Coat Check Girl said to Brett.
"Thanks," Brett said.
"What color do you use?" The Coat Check Girl asked.
"All-natural since birth," Brett said.
"So jealous," The Coat Check Girl said, she turned around to hang up the coats and Garvan noted a black rose tattoo on her shoulder blade area. The Coat Check Girl returned and handed them a ticket, "Have a good night."
Brett took the coat check tickets and walked out into the club itself. Garvan stood right next to her in awe of the fact they kept much of the same fittings as it once was a church. Where the altar once was is now a bar, and the sanctuary is now a stage. There were two galleries that lined the side which was more than likely for the VIPs, and there was seating underneath.
There were several waitresses going around taking orders for the club goers. They each seemed to fit the esthetic of the club. Garvan looked around and saw the choir loft was partially converted to a DJ booth, but there was someone standing there looking down, watching.
This woman wore long gloves and had what seemed to be a wolf's head, she wore as a hat. Every so often she would gesture and the bouncers would respond.
"Can I get you anything?" a voice asked. Brett and Garvan turned to see the waitress. The waitress was tall, almost as tall as Brett. Garvan noted she had very pale gray eyes, full black colored lips, and platinum blonde hair, worn down her back, which was held in place by a black and purple headband. Around her neck was a Victorian-style choker which a purple jeweled flower pendant hung from it.
Brett ordered them drinks and turned to Garvan, "What do you think?" she asked.
"What is this place?" Garvan asked.
"It's called Absolution," Brett said.
"Why did we come here?" Garvan asked.
"To do something different," Brett said, as the music started to play, "Let's dance," she said and dragged Garvan out on the dance floor.
After a few songs, the young couple was heading off the dance floor to get something to drink. They were confronted with a large man with dark glasses.
"Please come with me," he said.
"What's this about?" Brett asked.
"Please come with me," he repeated.
Brett and Garvan followed him out too by the coat check. They were met by the woman wearing the wolf head as a hat.
"May I see your ID's please?" she asked.
Brett and Garvan produced the IDs they showed the doorman. The woman took them and looked them over with cold blue eyes. Garvan noted her brownish blonde hair with an ombre pattern of white in it.
"These are some of the best fakes, I've seen," The woman said, "Nice try, though."
"They're not fake," Brett said.
"Yes, they are," The woman said, "Also, have a good game tomorrow, both of you."
"What?" Brett asked.
"Your red hair is a giveaway, Miss Pierce-Burke," The Woman said, "Don't forget your stuff."
They collected their stuff and returned to Brett's vehicle. Driving back to Beaulieu Manor, Garvan looked over to Brett.
"Well that's fun," Garvan said, "while it lasted."
"Yeah, it was," Brett said, as she parked next to his car.
"Well, see you tomorrow," Brett said and leaned over kissing Garvan.
Garvan got out of her car and grabbed one of the gym bags. He went to his car and took off. Brett followed soon. From a distance, Brooke Davis stood on a nearby rise on her evening walk and watched the cars pull away.