Written Wonderland

The manager of the Mimosa Bloom, Rhys thought, staring out past the tables at the bar, and I didn't even need to ask him here. Rhys allowed a small smile to appear on his face as he took a sip of his drink and approached the man, strategizing about his plan of attack. Mr. Kade was with two others. Rhys had come to know Michelle well--she was both an occasional actor and denizen of the Underground. The other was a recent addition to the acting troupe, Peter. Michelle caught sight of Rhys before anyone else but kept her expression neutral--Rhys clocked the fact that she did not intend to let on to Kade that she knew who Rhys was. Interesting. He wondered why. Perhaps she intended to let Rhys do the honors. How well did they know each other? Rhys wondered. And what did the manager of the Mimosa Bloom have in common with two actors?

"Excuse me," Rhys said, "but don't you work at the Mimosa Bloom? Mr. Kade, isn't it? It's a pleasure to have you here at our theater." From his peripheral vision, Rhys noticed that Michelle's eyes widened with delight. Theatrically, Rhys looked at both Michelle and Peter, hoping they might give Rhys a little space with Kade. "I'm Rhys Batdorj. I curate some of the events here," Rhys finished with a slight bow in Kade's direction.

Coming out of the bow, Rhys paid close attention to Kade's expression--held neutral and carefully close to his chest, though he kept tension off his face. Experienced, then, in playing these games, Rhys thought.

"Yes, you are correct, Mr. Batdorj. A pleasure also to make your acquaintance." A slight glance from Kade to his two companions finally communicated that the two of them needed a moment alone, and Michelle and Peter took the hint, though they did not go far. Rhys heard Peter ask Michelle, "What was all that about?" and Michelle, delightfully, only shrugged, sipping her drink.

"I'm wondering if you will take a walk with me around the theater?" Rhys asked, nodding in the direction of the stairs to the mezzanine.

"Of course," Kade answered smoothly, gesturing that Rhys should lead the way.

After they had walked through the alcove to the stairs, Rhys said, "I want to thank you..." he paused for a moment as they traversed the stairs, coming out onto the upper balcony lobby area where there were fewer people. "...many of my clientele have found meaningful outlets in what you offer behind the scenes."

Rhys clocked Kade's expression, which still held its calm mask. Good. Rhys did not want to startle the man too much. He added, "I believe we share some common interests, and I have an offering that might interest you."

Rhys looked again at Kade, who said, "You have my attention." Rhys nodded.

"I trust you to be a man of discretion, given your line of work," Rhys said, "and as a result, I believe you might be the right person to delicately spread the word about what I host here."

Kade looked at Rhys, curiosity plain in his eyes, though his mouth held its neutrality.

"I keep much of it under wraps, pending a vetting process--a sort of collateral, if you will--but what I can tell you is I have much experience in offering communal experiences outside the realm of mainstream interest. After every play, I host such experiences on the lowest level of this theater."

Rhys stopped now to allow Kade a moment of thought and to take advantage of the momentarily lack of passersby who might overhear the two of them.

"And you want me to tell others about this?" Kade asked levelly.

"Ideally after you've experienced it for yourself," Rhys said smoothly, gesturing to the side slowly with one hand.

After a moment, Kade asked, "Are you inviting me to such an experience tonight?" His voice noticeably lower in volume.

"Should it please you," Rhys said. "And if not, I trust that you will continue to exercise discretion about the nature of my establishment as I have exercised discretion about the nature of yours." It was a veiled threat, which he trusted Kade to understand, and indeed, the man nodded solemnly.

"Were I to take you up on your offer," Kade said with measured grace, "where would I meet you?"