Station, стр. 19
Speech completed, he spun impressively on a heal anddisappeared down Echo's front stairway. The crowd,momentarily quieted by his appearance, exploded in another releaseof pure elation and began to slowly filter out of the Bar, drinksbeing poured down throats on the way out, Hadder's trio alreadyforgotten.
Jonny came back up to Hadder. "Don't worry, oldchap, everyone always loses it when The Soiree opens. Nowthat they've all seen you expect more personal attention for awhile."
"Who was that man?"
Reena answered. "That's Montgomery Walls, buteveryone calls him Monty the Mod. He and a few other self-selectedpurveyors of all things fashionable run The Soiree Noire. Hecan be a bit of a prick, but his parties are always the best.Right, Jonny?"
"Indeed, you're correct, my dear. And you're luckyto have run into us this past Solay, Hadder. Not just anyone canget into Monty's parties. Usually, you have to work your way up tohis shindigs, prove that you're one of the glitterati. But he likesme and absolutely loves sweet Reena here, so we'll pull you in withus. Also, there's no way he could turn away our first new residentin forever."
The crowd continued its slow exit from Morning'sEcho while some used the opportunity to take up seats at tablesnow unoccupied, meaning to spend more time at their currentestablishment. As the excitement began to die down, Hadder couldfeel his energy also begin to dwindle. From his long drive to theshit hole bar called Station, to his harrowing journey through theinter-dimensional tunnel and across the trackless desert, to hisorientation to the city called Station and his escapade with theintoxicating Reena Song, to his introduction to some of Station'smost prominent residents, Hadder had lived a lifetime in a fewshort hours with little rest. He could sense his body begin to sagunder fatigue.
Jonny sensed his friend's failing stamina and put ahand to Hadder's face, concern marking his own. "You alright, oldchap? You look completely drained. Think you have it in you tocontinue?"
"Go on ahead, Jonny," Reena intervened. "I can helphim."
Jonny smiled. "What would we do without her? Waitfor you both just outside."
As Jonny walked away, Reena knelt down and reachedinto one of her remarkable high-top sneakers, fingers revealing ahidden pocket in the tongue. She fumbled around for a bit beforepulling out what looked to be lipstick in the shade of light blue.Removing the top, Reena expertly applied the glossy blue wax acrossher full lips. Without waiting for Hadder to comment, she onceagain pulled his head down for a passionate kiss, this time leavingher tongue out of the equation. As her lips rubbed vigorouslyagainst his own, Hadder could feel his entire body waking up, as ifhe had been submerged in a vial of B12. Color rushed back intoHadder's blanched face, and power returned to his arms and legs.The haze that had been preventing him from locating clear thoughtslifted as brain synapses fired.
They separated. "Better now, Marlin?"
"Yes, much, thanks. Me thanking you is becoming ahabit."
Reena smiled sweetly. "I like it that way. Come on,Jonny is waiting for us." As she turned and started for the frontdoors, Hadder fought down the urge to yell, "I fucking love you" atthe beautiful girl's back. He was happy he did, however, when asecond later, Reena's shifting dress spelled out FreeSpirit, reminding him that this girl was never meant forreservation by one person. Her anima was simply too much.
Disaster and embarrassment averted, Hadder followedReena towards the entrance, a spring in his step like he had justrisen from a week's worth of rest.
As promised, Jonny VV was waiting for them outsideMorning's Echo. "Looking much improved, Hadder. Miss Reenaworks wonders, does she not?"
Hadder threw a thankful smile at Reena. "Shecertainly does." Reena curtsied in response.
"Then let us be on our way. It's obviously not far,but the gathered masses can proliferate. Luckily, Reena and I areregulars."
As they walked, Hadder noticed that true night, orHaela, had fallen over Station. Raising his eyes to the heavens,Hadder immediately understood how the city's evening had gotten itsname. The Idol Moon, now half the size as during Solay andsignificantly less bright, was entirely encircled by a halo oflight, an optical effect of the reduced emissions. Hadder quietlycongratulation himself for uncovering another of Station's lessermysteries.
Within minutes, The Soiree Noire appearedbefore them, the light-encased white building more striking nowthat full Haela had settled in. A thick mass of people had begun toform at the base of the Bar's elegant grand twin stairs that led upto its equally ornate double doors above. As residents mingled andconversed, a palpable buzz permeated the crowd, even affectingHadder's two seasoned friends.
Just as Hadder was about to ask what everyone waswaiting for, a disc that seemed to be made of pure light rosebetween the twin staircases, stopping when it was ten feet abovethe ground. On the conveyance stood Monty the Mod, whose top hatnow shot a cascade of color from every angle, highlighting thesmall man's sharp features. Monty had traded in his silver whistlefor equally shiny silver opera glasses with which he eagerlysearched the crowd below.
When he spoke, his voice boomed from hidden speakersand was easily heard over the din of the crowd. "Lulu! What aninteresting gown. Please enter. Is that you, Rafa? I don't know ifI love it or hate it, but I am intrigued. Come on in. Bessa James,I know you are wearing the same thing you did just last week. Comeback with something new, or don't come back at all! Benny andSunrise, I love the matching ensemble. See you inside!"
This went on for a while before Monty's glasses fellupon Hadder's trio. "Jonny VV and Reena Song, two of my favorites.You both never fail to disappoint. Reena, I'll need to take acloser look at those shoes later. Both of you are free to join methis Haela. And by all means, bring