The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 12

Despite Marcus's better judgment he was intrigued by Leonard's assurance. Plus he didn't want to go back home. According to Leonard the shows didn't start until six so they stayed at the bar and even ordered a late lunch before heading over to Club Masque. Since Leonard had arrived via driver Marcus acted as chauffeur to the club following his passenger's directions. He had mixed feelings about what to expect but as they passed by the front of it he had to admit he was intrigued. The front of the club looked like an old-style theater marquee with its name in lights and a protruding sign where the name of the movie or play would normally be displayed. Along the front wall were even faux movie posters with titles like: Cirque du Twins, Madam Butterfly, Cabaret Dreaming... It looked so much like a theater Marcus realized that in all likelihood that's exactly what it was. But why would they go through the trouble of renovating such a place for a men's club? And why bother restoring the façade?

Leonard promised it would all make sense once they were inside and directed him to circle the block to park in the back. There he found a small, private parking lot with a gate. Marcus was a little taken aback but Leonard merely handed over a VIP keycard and told him to swipe it. The reader beeped and the gate rose. Leonard smirked as Marcus continued inside and parked.

Stepping out Marcus followed after his guide expecting them to circle to the front of the building where they would have to join the long queue to get in but Leonard headed for a non-descript back door knocking on the metal surface. The reader on the wall flashed green allowing him to push the door open and enter.

The room beyond was a small waiting room with three doors, one on each wall. It was rather cramped with both of them standing inside. Stepping to the right Leonard headed to a small window. The metal blind rose up and a woman stood on the other side looking all the world like a bank teller aside from her mask.

It was difficult to guess her age but Marcus noticed some gray hair at her temples mixed with her light brown hair. She wore a blouse and gray vest looking very professional and proper. A gold mask with black lace covered the upper half of her face. Her blue eyes gleamed merrily from behind it.

"Hello Mister Big," she smiled. "You brought a guest?"

"Old friend of mine. He's been out of town for a while so I thought I'd treat him."

"Very good," she nodded before sliding a small tray forward. "Cell phones are not permitted inside. Please place them and all other electronic recording devices here as well as any valuables you'd rather not take in."

Without hesitation Leonard shut off his phone and set it on the tray. Marcus paused before following suit. She gave them a moment and when they didn't add anything else she took the tray and went to a wall of lock boxes. Selecting one she unlocked and opened the door before sliding the tray inside. Relocking it she brought the key to them.

"Locker A8. Don't lose the key or we won't be able to retrieve your items."

Leonard nodded pocketing it.

"Here you are, compliments of Club Masque," she set out a pair of plain white masks that would cover the top half of their faces.

Leonard accepted his without hesitation and Marcus had no choice but to follow his example. Once their masks were on the teller tapped a button to unlock the next door allowing them to enter the club. As soon as they stepped in they were met by a hostess. With a smile she said, "Follow me gentlemen. Any preference to your table?"

"Private booth," Leonard said.

"Of course."

Marcus followed behind them taking in their surroundings. A few feet from where they entered was a long bar manned by several tenders. Television screens displayed a variety of sporting games and races. The center was crowded with several tables with seating for up to six people depending on the size of the table. Where the orchestra pit would be was a lounge area with a couch that encircled the entire wall. The perimeter of the room had semi-private booths for those who didn't want to wade into the crowd. And it was crowded. The patrons were mostly men but he did notice a few women mixed among them. The servers all appeared to be women including the bartenders. From the looks of it the two groups were distinguishable as guests wore plain white masks and servers wore silver masks with a black lace design. Even the security personnel wore masks, plain black ones.

Their guide led them to one of the semi-private booths saying, "Here you are. Can I start you off with a drink?"

"Scotch," Leonard said. "Same for my friend. Just put them on my tab and keep them coming."

"Of course, Mister Big," she smiled and departed.

Marcus sat down staring at Leonard who quickly made himself comfortable, "Mister Big?"

"Well, yeah. This club is all about anonymity."

"But why Mister Big?" "Why not?"

Marcus shook his head. Leonard spent a lot of effort on his image but those closest to him learned a few things that he would be desperate to keep out of the gossip pages. One such bit of information was his obsession with S*x and the City. "So we wear masks and use pseudonyms," Marcus said.

"Right."

"And no cell phones so even if someone recognizes you through the mask, no pictures or videos."

"You catch on quick."

"And...you can set up a tab?"

"The lady in the window can set it up for you if you request it. You just need to give her a credit card for her to use and a name you can give the servers to charge it properly. If you want they'll even doctor the charge so it looks like it comes from a health spa." "So what was that about locking up your valuables?" Marcus asked after a moment.

"Oh, you know wallets with your ID or a distinctive gold watch or...your wedding band. Whatever."

Marcus shook his head as the server delivered their first round. This club really did think of everything.

"Anyway, we came on a good night."

"Did we? Why is that?" Marcus leaned back in his seat trying to relax.

"Because every day of the week has a different theme. Mondays are Playboy Bunny night. They even turn that orchestra pit into a grotto! Tuesdays are striptease night. It gets pretty raunchy on that night. Wednesdays are Birdcage night." "Birdcage?" Marcus asked.

"You mean to tell me you haven't seen that movie either?" Leonard scoffed. "It's a movie from the nineties about a gay couple that own a drag club."

"Oh. So on Birdcage night..."

"You got it. Thursday is Cabaret night," Leonard said. "Friday and Saturday are Vaudeville and Lounge Lizard night respectively."

"So what about tomorrow?" Marcus asked.

"What about it?"

"You said every night has a different theme."

"Club is closed Sundays."

"It really closes?" Marcus blinked, surprised. Who ever heard of a club closing?

"I know. Wild, right?" Leonard chuckled. "But this place is real classy. Not like other places. Oh, and something you should keep in mind, the girls are untouchable."

Marcus frowned and looked a short distance away where one of the servers sat in her client's lap feeding them grapes and wine by hand. Leonard followed his gaze sipping on his scotch and smirking.

"You can only touch the girls who don't mind," Leonard explained. "I've heard all the girls have a panic button. So if you get too handsie they can push it and the bouncers will throw you out."

"You're kidding."

"I'm serious. I saw it happen a couple of times," Leonard said. "The owner is very serious about protecting the girls. This Club is about entertainment. But if a girl is willing I heard there are rooms upstairs for you to have some private time." Marcus snorted.

"Hey, better than getting caught in a hotel room," Leonard chuckled. "Protect the staff but also your clients. This Club knows how to take care of everything."

Marcus rolled his eyes.

"But seriously, this is the best night to come."

"Why is that?"

"Because you get to see Madame Butterfly."

"Who?"

"You'll see," Leonard winked. Marcus wasn't sure if he should be comforted or afraid. Either way he was intrigued.