Molly and Danah booked a cabaret performance at Seba’s National Hotel, known for its guest appearances from many national and international celebrities. The air was hot and humid but there was a bit of breeze and a hope that the temperatures would slightly decrease by the time the performance ended.
On the walk through the town earlier that day, Molly and Danah were given leaflets and invitations for several events happening later in the evening.
#"Night Vibes with cheap cocktails. Happy hour from 11pm -1 am. Come and feel the real Seba vibe. #13 Banarah Square".
"Young and old, short and tall, all genders/transgenders welcomed. Unforgettable experience. Dj Unity. DJ Xebra and Lalallah tonight starting from 9.30 pm. #253 Anais St, Old Town"
"Deep tissue massages and late night talking. Bree &Co. #2 St. Alberan Sq, Old Town, left of the Golden Gate"
"At 1000 Peacocks. Pub and disco nights, #312 Donawee Pl"
One of them was offering a different type of experience:
"We are an informal collective of artists who come every night to a small, dark and decadent clandestine space, which is also the best dance floor in the city. If you are looking for something more daring, come and find us. #209 Sobah Sobah St, 10pm-2am"
And for the latter, Molly still remembers Danah saying: this is where we will go after the cabaret!
The theater hall had satin covered sofas which were placed in tiny cubicles, partly separated by satin covered dividers. They looked like unfinished honeycombs, divided but still interconnected by little passageways that allow access to the waiters. They were all opening towards the stage.
The performance was a succession of colourful costumes, layers of ruffled skirts and dresses, drumming and rattling, shining bodies and virtuous movements. To Molly, it all looked like a giant multifaceted organism, which continuously emitted sparkling fireworks of lights and colours and voices. It all looked bubbly and effervescent and all merged in that vague but pleasantly hallucinogenic impression of nothing and everything, big and small, firm and flaccid, consolidating and dissipating at the same time. The closing performance featured the main singer, a transvestite trussed up in a black faux-leather shiny dress with an impressive bun, powerful high pitched vocals and fascinating charisma and appearance. Molly thought of the movie the Fifth Element. Will the theater walls tremble? Will the building explode? At this point, she was drinking a strong, rum-based cocktail which lulled her into a dazed and surrendered state, easily swinging from side to side and slowly forgetting all whos, whats, whys and whens.
It was an otherworldly experience and Molly and Danah were satisfied that they had heeded the locals’ recommendations and booked the show. When the show ended, they wandered dazed and happy along the rug- covered hall into the night.
They signaled for a carriage to approach.
Where to, ladies? the carriageman asked politely. He was a slim and tall man, dressed in a formal uniform with a top hat which shadowed a large part of his face.
Danah found the note: #209 Sobah Sobah please.
At this hour, the air was cooler and, during the ride, the ladies felt almost cold. For a moment, they looked at each other with a smile. Nice evening, Molly thought. The sensation of peace overcame her.
The carriage stopped at the corner of a narrow street in the centre of the town. Their last view of the sky was of it intersected by rays of light coming from houses, lanterns and cars. A slight wave of branches on the breeze. The coachman said almost in a whisper and with an almost imperceptible smile: "see, that's where things happen in the dark and ain't nothing good happening' on these streets after 10...". A big double entrance door opened and Molly and Danah paid for their entry tickets and took the stairs to a dark vestibule. As they were climbing the stairs, the darkness became heavier, impregnated with something. "Pregnant darkness gives birth to...", Molly thought dreamily, realising her perception was already clouded. "What have you conceived, Molly?" She asked herself. One after the other, strange ideas were popping out. " This requires another drink", Molly thought and smiled.
From the vestibule a room was gasping at her with its dark red mouth wide open. Inside this mouth there were bodies - shiny, seductive, luscious, shining with sweat and oils, half naked, waving in rhythm to the sensual music. One handsome man with a sleeveless white tank top was dancing on the table and the ladies surrounding him were cheering. Danah, who had already been out for the last few nights barely managed to say to Molly: beware, they are aggressive! when a man/boy appeared. He was medium height, relatively slim, unimpressive, he asked if Molly would like to dance with him. Molly almost hysterically shook him off with her hand, embarrassed, smiling shyly but saying no. She then turned around and hid in the corner, trying to find a dark, unexposed place to lean over her handbag. She ordered a cocktail and without even meaning to, began to sway to the rhythm of the music. This is quite fun, she thought. I forgot how to dance. Where was I all this time? Where am I? Do I know who I am?
The boy came back. He wore a short sleeve top and shorts. Molly waved him off again and continued drinking. Suddenly a feeling of tipsiness overcame her. It was unexpected, with all her muscles relaxing at once, so she felt like a loose bag of skin around her bones.
Before she could react, the boy was leaning over her. He was just a bit taller than her. She could feel his loose embrace. In his stubbornness, which would usually make her very angry, she sensed a desperation, loneliness, some kind of a dread. Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of sadness got the better of her and her knees went weak. She let a tiny sob come out. And then there was this boy clumsily holding her and trying to kiss her, his clothes smelling of a cheap soap. She kissed the boy as if it was the last thing she would ever do, kiss him with all the kindness she could master and all the passion she could evoke. In the kiss she put the grief, the losses, the wins, the travels, smiles, victories and defeats. In the kiss she put betrayal and abandonment, she transmitted the reunion and hope. She spiced it up with a farewell, dream, death and rebirth. It all went down in that kiss oscillating form barely touching his lips to biting into them violently. She could not remember his face but she would never forget the kiss.
The clock struck 2am and suddenly the music was switched off. "Forgive me", Molly whispered and started to withdraw. The boy took her hand. "Please wait". She was getting closer to the exit and holding her phone to call the taxi. He took the phone, inserted his phone number and gave it back to her. "Call me please", he said.
"I am sorry, I should not have done that. I have a family. This was a terrible mistake", she mumbled and ran away. Her heart was skipping beats while she ran toward her hotel.
And as if it emanated from within the breeze, in a whisper, she heard the verses of Rumi's poem....
" My heart wanted only a kiss from you.
The price you asked for that kiss was my soul;
Heart jumped in the deep,
and flowed alongside soul,
Advising, close the deal
The price is cheap."
~ to be continued ~
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