The Scene by R. M. Gilmore Page B

there wasn't much of a view to speak of. Although, I would bet that tiny view looked over the entire property. Malcolm motioned for us to take a seat in the leather bound arm chairs surrounding an oversized masculine desk that sat nearly in the center of the room. Behind the desk, two authentic looking suits of armor stood guard over the master of the house. Broadswords and ancient family crests adorned the walls on either side of us. The entire room exuded ancient, violent, masculinity.
                  “Could I interest either of you ladies in something to drink?” Malcolm offered.
                  So many quips and so little time.
                    “No thank you,” I said instead.
                  “I suppose you would prefer to get right down do it then.”  Malcolm supposed correctly.
                  “Yes please,” Tatum spoke harshly before she shot him a look I didn’t fully understand. Her face was soft, but the look seemed angry. Well, more threatening than angry, I guess.
                  “From what Cyrus has explained to me, you ladies are curious as to the goings on one of my establishments. Embrace,” he said.
                  “To say the least,” I chimed in with a less than eloquent tone.
                  “I would be more than happy to elaborate; to the best of my ability, of course.”  Malcolm motioned for us to take a seat in the large leather chairs as he made his way behind his desk. “Embrace is my brainchild, and as you may have guessed, a nearly completed project. The experience could use some fine tuning, but I believe we provide a safe and exciting environment.” He took a seat in his large chair.
                  “Get to the point ginger.” Tatum was tossing insults, it was about to get ugly.
    There ’s that look again.
    Her eyes lingered on him for a few seconds until he spoke again.
                  “My apologies. The experience I speak of contains many intricate parts that must function together perfectly to create the...magic... you could say. We use trained actors and models,” he waved his thick hand in Cyrus' direction, “Hollywood props, and of course a hint of a natural substance to enhance the experience.”
                  “And this natural substance?”
    I am so sick of beating around the bush.
                  “Ah, yes. Sanguinaria Canadensis. A wonderful little plant; completely harmless of course. Sang is also known as Bloodroot. The effect is similar to that of morphine. We have acquired a derivative which allows one to mix it with any liquid, relatively undetected. Consumption may induce feelings of calmness and vertigo. This sensation assists us in our performance. You see, all that you experienced last night was simply a vision created by your mind, with our help of course.” He said this as though it was a completely normal statement.
                  “How is this legal?” I was flabbergasted they could legally drug people.
                  “When you entered my establishment you were asked to sign a waiver. This waiver contained all of the information regarding the experience and the assistance of the bloodroot derivative. When you order a drink at Embrace, it has already been treated with the exact dose of the substance needed to enhance your experience. A few moments later, you probably felt very pleased, a sense of euphoria washed over you, and you felt more at peace than you have in your entire lifetime. At that point, your mind was open to accept what it viewed as fact. Thus, causing you to believe the men and women dancing around you were more beautiful than anyone you had ever seen. That these creatures had glowing green eyes, and at one point they did not cast a reflection. If you had not decided to partake in drinking our bloodroot tincture, you would have had a very different