'eXposing' the nightlife

A quiet, cool, breeze sweeps through the parking lot of a small business centre almost invisible during the day, but at night, a rainbow appears. Red, orange, yellow, green, and blue flashing in perfect sequence creates an alluring image, attractive to specifically the “naked” eye.

Below the rainbow, is a somewhat uninviting entrance where 2 Hulk-like men welcome you into a sharp, white, fluorescent-lit reception where business before pleasure is the rule of thumb. R100pp opens the gateway, which is a dark grey, synthetic, wood sliding door, to the right.

In the background a girl, barely covered with black lace between her plump, rear cheeks is having a conversation with colleagues, using words like, “bastards” followed by a quick and assertive, “just make sure that they never…”, but the doorway opens and overpowers the conversation by the screeching sound of the metal wheels on the runner. An inviting hand gesture lets you fade into the darkness.

While your pupils take a moment to expand, the turbulent sound of hip-hop music and the distinctive smell of cigarette smoke with a hint of brandy prepares you for what you are about to see. Disco balls, almost clothed ladies, and hundreds of coloured lights fluttering in no apparent rhythm. The lights reflect on the 17 silver aluminium poles scattered throughout the room, some marking the centre of black granite table tops and some defining the odd shape of the elevated stage.

Next to the platform a man with a white shirt and faded blue jeans has his arm raised as he utters commentary sounds of ecstasy. An elastin-filled, silky smooth wonder with chocolate brown hair, approaches him, inviting private conversation at the table in front of him where 2 glasses covered in accumulated waterdrops, reside.

Behind him, is a table with 7 testosterone-filled men, wearing what would traditionally be known as work attire. Each of them represents a different shade of being. Some grey and some young, participating in a conversation that suddenly transforms into a disagreement while trying to master their balance with quick staggering steps of their feet. A brief visit by the rugged man from the front door, restores the atmosphere, except now, the lights turned black, and silence fills the room.

A perfunctory glimpse of 2 television screens displaying a soccer match and signage on the far end wall presenting a menu for human interaction: Body shot, table dance, lap dance, lesbian show, boob dance, ½ hour VIP, 1 hour VIP, ranging the options from least to most expensive.

Every face in the room turn towards the stage as the dark silence is broken by an amplified, raspy voice: “Gentlemen… and ladies, it is time for our first show of the evening. Please welcome to the stage, Vera!”

It is 5 minutes past 8, Friday evening 22 April 2022 and the entertainment that everyone came for, officially begins. In between an adult shop and a canopy workshop, Teazers Pretoria, greats the nightlife. All rights reserved Jackie Skeen Assignment article - Writing with the senses.