Station, стр. 27

Jonny VV's assertion that Hadder would be a wantedman after his initial successful Haela proved prophetic. EachHaela, regardless of Bar or Cluster, Hadder was bombarded withoffers of exotic narcotics, late-Haela trysts, and exclusiveexperiences. Invite-only parties at enigmatic Bars ratcheted up thedrug use and introduced Hadder to even more extreme residents withinsatiable appetites.

Helen and Nestra guided Hadder to a Bar calledThe Gloaming, where naked residents paraded around in pitchblackness, with only psychoactive, glow-in-the-dark stickers placedbetween partygoers' eyes to guide hands, mouths, and tongues. Bennytook Hadder to Gearworks, where the floors, walls, andceilings twisted and turned at a deliberate pace, intensifying anyvisuals the resident was enjoying.

While each Haela brought unique experiences withdistinct residents and increasing chemical usage, Hadder beganrecognizing diminishing returns in terms of enjoyment. Orgies, evenwith the perfectly Elevated bodies, specially-designed love rooms,and intensely sexual drugs, became more and more humdrum. Creatinga new costume for the evening and helping others with theirs becamea chore. In this land where anything was possible and wildestdreams could be made real, Marlin Hadder was growing bored.

As he seemed to be chasing the dragon, that firstperfect night at The Soiree Noire, Hadder concluded that thebest course of action was to simply visit the dragon's lair. AsJonny and Reena had tried to dissuade him several times, Hadderdecided not to tell them about his plans for the upcoming Haela.That he was finally going to attend Inferno.

Hadder stood outside of Inferno, a belly fullof Number 6 simultaneously calming his nerves and lending courageto his spirit. Full Haela had set in some time ago, and still,residents were just beginning to trickle into the imposingbuilding. Hadder watched silently as some of Station's most extremeresidents made their way through the blood-red wooden doors of theBar. Francis Starr and her six breasts glided in alongside ShivaEl, also known as Third-Eye Eliot. Helen and Nestra led six othersinto Inferno, a group of men and women that had latched onto the magnetic duo and had Elevated their bodies in similarfashions, now looking as much sexy animal as human.

Mustering his courage, Hadder made his way toInferno's front door, where he was forced to jump back,startled, as a body fell from the thick layer of vines that coveredthe building. It stopped to hang mid-air, supported by the vines.The legs of the stranger dangled in front of the entranceway.Looking up, Hadder saw an old woman, skin pulled tight frommultiple Elevations, wearing a red jumper with flames that dancedwithin the material. She was hanging from the rose vines, thethorns cutting into her arms and sending droplets of blood down heraged skin to splatter on the ground before Hadder. Her ancientwhite hair floated in the Haela air as if underwater, and her eyesblazed like blue fires.

She pointed a bony finger at Hadder. Others hadstopped to stare at the commotion. "You. I don't know you. Whatmakes you think you can handle Inferno?"

Hadder opened his mouth to form a response, butnothing came out. Having no idea what was lurking in that crimsonbuilding, how could he be sure that he could maintain within itswalls? Just as Hadder was about to shrug dumbly, a savior slitheredits way around Hadder's neck and waist. He panicked for a momentbefore realizing that McKintosh Reed and his magical dreadlocks hadjoined him.

Reed spoke for him. "Hey Jackie, you old sea hag!This is Marlin Hadder, the newest resident. I've partied with theman countless times and can vouch for him. Let us in before I ripyou out of those goddam vines and toss you in the Lethe River."

Hadder now remembered the name bandied about variousparties - Jackie Crone, one of Station's original residents. Jackiestared at Reed for a moment with those fiery blue eyes beforespeaking. "It's on you, McKintosh Reed. If he's not ready, therewill be a price to pay."

Reed waved Jackie away and whisked Hadder under herdangling legs and into Inferno. "Thanks, Reed," managedHadder as they crossed the threshold into the Bar. Surveying thefirst floor, Hadder thought that Inferno seemed very muchlike every other bar. Residents milled about making lightconversation and floating from one group to another. "Seems fairlynormal, Reed. I mean for Station standards."

Reed laughed. "This is just the first floor, man.This here is just to prime you for the trip up. Has anyone told youhow it works?"

Given the inconspicuous nature of his trip, Hadderhad failed to inquire about the particulars of the notorious Bar.He had spent a Haela getting wasted under the ocean, after all. Howcould this possibly top that? "No, but I'd appreciate it if youfilled me in."

Reed led the two of them over towards amanikin-serviced counter and started to explain. "So, there arenine floors, of which this is obviously one. You spend a requisiteamount of time on each floor before you're allowed to continue onto the next. During this time, you can't simply be a wallflower.You have to actively participate in whatever is happening on thatfloor. Once at the top floor, there is an exit that will take youstraight down to the bottom."

"I don't understand. If I'm not having a good time,can't I simply leave?"

Reed faced him and delivered a stern look. "Not agood idea, Hadder. Jackie Crone holds the hidden strings thatcontrol the Celebration Cluster, and maybe other areas of Station,for all we know. Some say she converses with the man himself -Mister Rott. To not finish Inferno is considered a slap inthe face to her. She'll go out of her way to make Station less thaninviting for you. Bars you used to enjoy will be closed off fromyou. People you thought friends will stop speaking with you.Station can be a lonely place once you're on Jackie Crone's shitlist. Might as well go stay in the fucking Weeps."

Hadder's Number 6 was no longer working as anxietyset in. "Shit, Reed, I guess I should have researched this thingmore."

Reed threw Hadder a sympathetic nod. "Well, you'rein here now, so I suggest you make the best of it. Lots of peoplereally enjoy the experience. I couldn't do it every Haela, but Ineed it once in a while to shock my system and renormalize."

"So what do we