“Hand Strip Poles was her favorite club.
Of course, calling it a club was generous—it was merely a place with designated seats for the refined clientele who disliked crowded spaces.
“Looks like it’s not much fun tonight, Evelyn.”
“I’ve been coming here for too long.”
She drained the drink a pretty waiter had brought in one gulp.
Right in front of her, a male dancer’s abs rippled, and the roaming waitstaff were cute and charming.
But having seen it all so many times, the novelty had completely worn off.
Should she find another place? But she hated dirty joints. She disliked cramped spaces, and wanted a place worth the credits she paid.
She wished she could highway at home. If her father found out, he’d surely confiscate her credit stick.
Her father, a member of the Assembly, maintained a public image of a gentle, kind husband and devoted dad, but in reality he tossed a credit stick at his kids and expected them to grow up on their own.
Her mother, once a famous musician, now bore only the title “Assembly Member’s Wife,” and was frequently absent.
Evelyn didn’t feel sad or resentful. She knew that politicians usually ended up this way once they started a family, and she had no particularly harmonious childhood to compare against.
Still, Evelyn was fine. She had friends and a safe home.
When bored, she could tan in the yard or enjoy her hidden stash of drugs.
Lately, though, everything was dull. She craved excitement, but it didn’t help.
Annoyed by a persistent guy at her side, she pushed him away.
He was someone she’d met recently—supposedly a relative of a newspaper publisher—and she’d been keeping an eye on him.
Watching him fawn over her was pathetic.
“I’m gonna leave my seat for a bit.”
“Be back quick, Evelyn. Highway when you come back?”
“Shut up.”
Irritated, she headed straight to the powder room on the first floor.
Standing before the brightly lit mirror, she examined the rough skin around her eyes, stiff from last night’s sleeplessness.
Why did everything feel so irritating today? She wanted to drop it all and leave the shelter.
She’d heard that long ago people freely traveled by ship or plane to other countries. Now everyone was trapped under a dome.
She didn’t know why she was locked in here. It wasn’t her fault this planet got polluted.
She splashed water on her hands, then stormed out, kicking the door in frustration. Not watching where she was going, she collided with a stranger.
“Ah!”
“I’m sorry, are you okay?”
“What the—really! Do you know who I am—”
Ready to unleash her anger, she froze the moment she looked up.
In the dim red light, she could barely make out green eyes behind glasses, sharp features, and lashes slightly longer than most.
His tousled blond hair shone like a halo.
Face pressed into a stranger’s chest, Evelyn couldn’t move. She stared in dumbfounded silence.
After a moment, the man spoke again.
“Um, are you alright? The door opened suddenly, I couldn’t dodge.”
“I-I’m fine.”
“Do you have any injuries?”
“I don’t think so….”
“That’s good then. Be careful next time—the floor is hard, you might hurt yourself.”
He helped her upright and turned away. Without thinking, Evelyn grabbed his sleeve.
A gray hoodie—completely at odds with this place, cheap fabric.
He probably had no money or status. Nevertheless, she couldn’t let go and asked,
“Where were you sitting?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, where’s your seat?”
“I-I’m just sitting over there. I’ll leave soon. May I ask why you want to know?”
Evelyn scanned the club. The seat he pointed to was occupied. Fortunately, he only had one companion.
“Why are you leaving?”
“Well, I’ve never been to a place like this before. I don’t think I can get used to it. I prefer a place where I can drink comfortably.”
He gently pushed her away.
That’s right. He didn’t belong in a place like this.
But with that face, he was still too shy to mingle?
Evelyn found this earnest-looking guy more appealing by the second.
A surge of conquest or pioneer’s ambition rose in her.
“First time at Hand Strip Poles? That’s why I didn’t recognize you. I’m a regular here. So, where will you go when you leave?”
“Well, I’m not sure yet.”
“If you don’t have a plan, want to hang out with me?”
“Don’t you have company?”
“I do, but they’re boring. I’d much rather be with you.”
“Even if you say that, I’m not interesting. You won’t like me.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
He’s already cute, so there’s no way hanging out could be dull.
Convinced, Evelyn clung to him.
“I’ll make it fun! Come on, let’s go.”
“It’s too loud here, it’s overwhelming, I don’t like alcohol, and I don’t care to watch others dance. I prefer a quiet place with a friend. Sorry.”
When he refused again, Evelyn grew impatient.
If it were daytime, she could take him home and let him drive her father’s car.
Or tempt him with shopping at the Amess Department Store’s watch and luxury goods section!
Then she had a brilliant idea.
“You said you didn’t like loud places, so how about somewhere quiet? The second floor is much quieter. They sell other drinks besides alcohol. Like coffee. Real coffee.”
“Tea?”
“You don’t like bitterness? How cute. Of course they have real tea, too. My treat.”
Though the second floor wasn’t meant for that purpose, Evelyn saw only her chance.
She grabbed his hand, and with a resigned sigh he followed her. At the stairs, a guard recognized her and stepped aside.
“What’s your name? I’m Evelyn—Evelyn Higgs.”
“I’m Raimund.”
“Cute name. German? How old are you? What do your parents do? How did you get here? Curiosity, or did a friend bring you?”
Chattering all the way up, Evelyn stuck to Raimund like glue, while blue eyes watched quietly from afar.
This is actually working.
Raimund looked down at the girl clinging awkwardly to his arm.
He had to indulge a survey from a kid his age or maybe younger.
Pushed along by those words, he’d come upstairs on impulse.
Though he’d refused politely, she’d grown even more enthusiastic.
Now on the second floor, he wondered what to do and quietly asked the girl.
“Is this like private rooms?”
“It’s called a lounge. There are more inside. You said you didn’t like noise, so let’s go there.”
From upstairs he could see the first floor—dancers under lights, rabbit-eared staff serving, guests sunk into sofas.
Dragged along by Evelyn, Raimund glanced around.
Rabbit-eared staff roamed here too. Guests leaned on railings. The lounges had glass doors blocking the noisy cheers. Some were open, and those were deathly quiet.
Watching empty bottles clink, Raimund flinched.
“Are those people unconscious?”
“What? Haha, no. They’re just drunk or on Highway.”
“Highway?”
“You really don’t know anything. Since you’re here, I’ll show you something good. This is my favorite room.”
It looked barren—only a wide sofa and a glass table. The thumping music seeped in.
No sooner had Evelyn sat than the waiter who’d greeted her downstairs appeared.
“Miss Evelyn! It’s been a while. I thought you’d only stay on the first floor today.”
“Don’t they manage downstairs anymore? It’s the same crowd—so boring I nearly died. Anyway, do you have it?”
“Of course I have it. Shall I bring it?”
“Two servings. Raimund, what would you like? Tea?”
“Uh, anything….”
“You don’t drink? How adorable. Then Armandi, tea, ice, lime, and Dalmore.”
He had no idea what she meant.
While Evelyn busily ordered, Raimund tilted his glasses up and surveyed the room.
He was trying to see the difference with and without them, but there was none.
Maybe he’d check other rooms. Those already occupied were tricky, but the open ones seemed accessible if he avoided people’s gazes.
Unable to push Evelyn away, he sat stiffly, nodding along to her chatter about her parents and her love life.
Soon several waiters returned, laid down the drinks, and the first waiter reappeared with a small box.
“Here you are, Miss Evelyn. I brought your favorite. I hope you like it.”
“Mmm. This is good. Go on.”
“If you need anything else, just call.”
As the waiter fawned and Evelyn examined the box with a bored foot tap, Raimund wondered what kind of upbringing produced someone so arrogant.
But Evelyn ignored the staff and leaned toward him, offering the box.
“Look, this is Highway.”
Raimund peered into the box and blinked.
Two small syringes and a tiny glass vial of pearlescent liquid.
The liquid shimmered rainbow-like, forming irregular patterns.
The vial looked medical, with a white cap and label printed clearly: ‘Highway.’
“What is this?”
“I don’t usually give it away, but you’re special. It’s nothing like common drugs. Few side effects and a clean finish, so it’s very expensive.”
“A drug?”
“You inject it intravenously. Never seen anything like it? It just stings a bit. I’ll help.”
“No, I’m not interested in—”
Evelyn rolled up his sleeve without asking. Completely overbearing.
Startled, Raimund reflexively brushed her hand away.
Stronger than he thought, she cried out softly as the box fell to the floor.
“My drug!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
He hadn’t meant to push so hard.
Flustered, he bent to snatch the rolling vials. Luckily, they weren’t broken.
Looking up, he saw Evelyn’s face flushed red, tears mingling with the shame of rejection and anger.
Oh, damn.
“I didn’t mean it. It was an accident.”
“Who do you think you are?! My parents never treated me like this! Give me my drug! You can’t have it! Give it back!”
“Please, calm down! I’ll return it, just sit down and talk—”
Suddenly he sensed something off.
In his hand, the pearlescent liquid had turned transparent.