In the dimly lit back of the club, Bambii anxiously rapped on the door of The Time Club's owner, fully aware that he might be "in a meeting" or, more likely, just in a foul mood. But she was determined to invite Tariq into her world tonight, clinging to the hope that he wouldn't be like the others—judgmental or opportunistic. He wasn't exactly her type, but he was still a true friend. "It's open; come in, damnit!!" The voice of Big Mackie boomed from inside, laced with irritation. Perfect, just what she needed. Bambii squared her shoulders, brushing her uncertainties aside, and stepped into the office radiating resolve. After all, Mackie had been her refuge when she fled from home; he not only provided her a haven but also a platform to unleash her true self, no matter how gruff he was with everyone else.
"Hey, Mr. Mackie, have you lost weight?" she chirped, hoping to cut through the tension. Big Mackie, towering with his rugged, muscular frame and a cigar clasped between his fingers, turned to her with a scowl. "Stuff it, Bambii. We're in a situational crisis!" His fury electrified the air as he paced, smoke curling ominously around him. Bambii's brow furrowed in confusion as she caught sight of only one cigar. "What's got you all worked up?"
"Our music performers are here, but their lead singer and guitarist are MIA! Even the DJ is on holiday—can you believe it?!" Mackie was a tempest of frustration, hands shaking as he confronted the fast-approaching disaster of a night without music. Just when the storm of despair threatened to drown him, a light blinked to life in Bambii's mind. "Big sir, I believe I have a solution!" she declared with excitement, her confidence blooming like a flower despite the chaos around her.
Meanwhile, Tariq's cat-like eyes widened in amazement as he stared at an electrifying poster. Who was he to judge? He was an enigmatic catman wandering the nocturnal realm, veiled in shadows, and the strangest presence here. The air crackled with anticipation as the seemingly impossible possibilities began to unfold.
"Calm down. Things should improve; after all, Bambii is kind, sweet, and sometimes a bit misguided, but she has a heart of gold," He muttered to himself, not realizing the bouncer was eavesdropping, trying hard to suppress their amusement. Yet, with his heightened senses, Tariq instinctively knew when he was being observed. He glanced up to find someone staring at him before swiftly retreating from the window—after all, to that onlooker, he surely looked like a glowing-eyed feline creature stalking the night.
In a flash, memories flooded back to him—like when a child almost collided with him in Detroit because of the dark, his eyes glowing ominously. Oh, what a cat-astrophe that was! Just as Tariq contemplated leaving, he was suddenly yanked back into the shadows by a group of mysterious figures, clutching him firmly, and preventing any resistance. Was he being catnapped?
Back at the club, Bambii burst through the doors, hoping she would find Tariq waiting for her in the same spot. "Hey friend, I got you a—" she began, but the words died on her lips as she realized he had vanished. "—gig…" Devastation washed over her, feeling as if the trust had been betrayed yet again—but deep down, she believed…
Meanwhile, Big Mackie was racing through his contacts, his frustration mounting as he strained to get Bambii to bring in her "friend." Hope flickered dimly within him, yet the challenge loomed more extensive than ever. Would fate deliver an unexpected twist, or was this night destined for disaster?
Bambii approached Big Mackie, who was understandably anxious about the delay, "Damnit, Bambii, where is your friend?! We are five minutes away from starting the strip but have no music!!" As she opened her mouth to respond, her gaze was drawn to an incredible sight:
Felicia, stage name Fancy, radiated confidence in her leopard print stripping attire. Next came Julia, stage name Juicy James, captivating everyone in her cheetah ensemble. Finally, Crystal, stage name Crystal Candy, lit up the stage in her striking lioness attire.
Each of them stood out beautifully, adorned with face paint that transformed them into fierce felines. This unexpected presentation was not part of the plan, yet it was undeniably extraordinary. Despite Big Mackie's frustration, he couldn't overlook their stunning transformation—a moment of pure brilliance. Just as the energy in the room reached its peak, the sound of a guitar wafted through the air, and suddenly, the band played as if by magic, igniting the atmosphere with excitement and possibility. Once the girls were in position jobs, Tariq came sliding out to the side while playing WildCub and using his electricity to make it electric as he played, then stopped right in front of the microphone. "Hello~ Los Angeles, A little birdie and a few rocking pussycats told me that you guys didn't have A performer for tonight. But don't worry, I ate the bird and got you the coolest cat to ever step a beat! Now let's get to it folks! 1, 2, a 1-2-3-4!!" leading to the musicians surprisingly getting the rhythm like magic leading to Bambii going to get ready while Big Mackie stabbed her and whispered in her ear then let her go to go change while he watched the performance.
**Queens of the Strip**
(Verse 1)
Gonna hit the road, gotta feel the heat,
Neon lights flashin', can't stay off my feet,
In Sin City where the wild ones play,
Las Vegas Queens, livin' it up every day!
(Chorus)
Oh-oh, Queens of the Strip!
Crowned in sequins, they're never gonna quit,
Oh-oh, dancing on the grind,
In the city of luck, they're one of a kind!
(Verse 2)
Lost in the crowd, they steal the show,
Jackpot dreams, ready, set, go!
Struttin' their stuff in high-heeled shoes,
In this town of sinners, they just can't lose!
(Chorus)
Oh-oh, Queens of the Strip!
Crowned in sequins, they're never gonna quit,
Oh-oh, dancing on the grind,
In the city of luck, they're one of a kind!
(Bridge)
Flashin' lights, and the roulette spins,
With every card turned, the fever begins,
Rock 'n' roll hearts in a gambler's trance,
They'll make you shout, they'll make you dance!
(Chorus)
Oh-oh, Queens of the Strip!
Crowned in sequins, they're never gonna quit,
Oh-oh, dancing on the grind,
In the city of luck, they're one of a kind!
(Outro)
Yeah, Queens of the Strip, you know they reign,
Underneath the stars, they'll never feel pain,
Las Vegas queens, they're here to ignite,
So raise your drink, let's rock it tonight!
In a heartbeat, the club erupted in a thunderous cheer for the girls dancing and pole dancing throughout the song, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as they celebrated Tariq's electrifying pop-rock performance and the band themselves. The audience's longing for more fueled the moment, and though the owner still needed to bring dancers on stage, the crowd's hunger created an undeniable energy. Tariq embraced the electric atmosphere, when he noticed Bambii wearing a pink tiger ensemble leading him to take her and took her out from the curtain putting a tiara on her head while the crowd cheered; leading to Tariq setting Bambii down on a furry chair with purpose before launching into the next song with a little old-school flavor.
**Bambii's Groove!**
(Verse 1)
Hey there, Bambii, dancing in the light,
Sparkle in your eyes, everything's just right,
When you move, it's like magic in the air,
With your style, girl, there's beauty everywhere!
(Chorus)
Bambii, oh Bambii, you shine like a star,
With a heart so wild, you'll take us far,
Let's vibe to the rhythm, let the music play,
Bambii, oh Bambii, you're gonna slay!
(Verse 2)
Running through the city, we're unstoppable,
With our Cool Cats power, we're invincible,
From the stage to the street, we're having a blast,
With Bambii by our side, we'll make it last!
(Chorus)
Bambii, oh Bambii, you shine like a star,
With a heart so wild, you'll take us far,
Let's vibe to the rhythm, let the music play,
Bambii, oh Bambii, you're gonna slay!
(Bridge)
Every beat, every note, we're living our dream,
With a friend like you, life's always supreme,
So come on, let's dance, let's sing out loud,
Together forever, we'll make you proud!
(Chorus)
Bambii, oh Bambii, you shine like a star,
With a heart so wild, you'll take us far,
Let's vibe to the rhythm, let the music play,
Bambii, oh Bambii, you're gonna slay!
(Outro)
Yeah, Bambii, you know it's true,
With you in our life, there's nothing we can't do,
So let's go on this ride, chase the sunset glow,
Bambii, oh Bambii, together we'll grow! 🎶
The crowd erupted with energy, growing louder as more and more people flocked in, drawn by the irresistible music spilling out into the night. Meanwhile, the owner was hilariously furious, adding to the chaotic atmosphere. Bambii leaped up, her excitement palpable as she clapped along to the beat, not to mention the crowd was starting to change her name which was something that she never got before, but when she was caught off guard when Tariq playfully tugged her close by the waist. He planted a quick kiss on Bambii's soft cheek, and in that electrifying moment, a delightful jolt of sensation shot through her, igniting the air around them! Through her—"Oh♡." Her cheeks blazed from soft pink to a fiery crimson, her wide eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and excitement, and the electric kiss charged her hair.
Amidst the applause, Tariq flashed her a charming smile, but his ears twitched and wiggled, sensing an impending threat. "Uh oh, danger…" he murmured, and in an instant, her fans and bodyguard surged forward, yanking him away from Bambii. Before he even had a chance to react, he found himself unceremoniously hurled out onto the street. Tariq regained his balance quickly, hissing defiantly at the shocked crowd. His gaze pierced through the night, eyes glinting like a tiger ready to pounce, filling onlookers with an exhilarating mix of fear and awe. The energy shifted as they scrambled back into the club's safety, only for Big Mackie, the imposing owner, to stand tall alongside the security guard, pointing a warning finger at Tariq. The night was alive with danger and electric anticipation! "I gave you a chance because you were friends with Bambii, but after the stunt you just pulled, you are banned from my club! Don't leave here; you're bad for business, cat freak!" Tariq sincerely wanted to punch these guys in the face, but seeing Bambii look sad made him take a deep breath and calm down. "Sufferin' succotash! You are so lucky I have respect for your employees; otherwise, I would mop the floor with you both. But I'll give you my two cents since you decided not to pay me. All the dancers in servers at your club that are women are genuinely disgusted by you, but in my case, you're seriously creeping them out, and me meowt! But you know why they stay at a place where their boss treats them like crap? Because they are family and believe in Bambii's work ethic and human compassion for her employees no matter their role or gender. I suspect you will be respectful and kind to your purr-fect employees, as I have all their numbers. So now, if you decide to do anything to them, I'll turn your little Ding A Ling into a sushi roll. Got it!!!" Tariq looked at the stunned faces of the bodyguard and Big Mackie, who was unable to speak as he was pale white in the face; well, everyone in the club was hearing everything and mumbling to each other while the co-workers within the club were snickering knowing that their boss was cooked, even Bambii couldn't help herself but giggle. But Tariq glared at the security who came out and the boss. His glare was not expected but shockingly frightening, and he wanted an answer.
"I SAID: DO! YOU! GET! ME!" Almost like a lion's roar with static shock, it threw out Las Vegas, causing light fixtures to spark. He indeed was serious and even lifted his guitar and pointed it up at the bar, which led to it lighting up bright and even setting off lights shooting into the sky. It also set off fireworks that said Bambii and the club's name. A crowd started coming. The club owner was stunned and terrified but even more amazed that he had gotten off so quickly. The owner told everyone to block Tariq on all their phones and even delete his numbers as he checked every single last phone the girls had, including the bartender's.
When everyone thought they knew what to expect, excitement erupted at the club! Customers began flocking through the doors to watch the dazzling dance performances and connect with the captivating women behind them. Sales soared higher than ever, but the club owner soon uncovered the secret to this success: Tariq's electrifying performance and an eye-catching promotional video crafted by the sensational Bambii. An internet idol in her own right, Bambii mastered the art of video editing, and her work transformed the club's atmosphere. Recognizing Tariq's enchanting guitar skills, the owner eagerly sought out new performers, but things quickly took a turn. The fresh talent failed to impress; many were disrespectful or only interested in hefty paychecks and endless drinks, sadly driving customers away. As sales slipped, the owner desperately searched for Tariq, but his efforts were in vain.
Having misplaced Tariq's number, his coworkers inadvertently pushed the club downward. Weeks passed, and as enthusiasm dwindled, the remaining staff decided to break free from the confines of Big Time Club. They launched a brand-new venue; its name was chosen after their star performer, Bambii, who inspired them all. It was called—"The Bunni Lounge". As she stepped into this thrilling new chapter, Bambii declared passionately. At the same time, Big Mackie was frustrated, not understanding why, after 5 years, the best dancer in his club, who he treated poorly, decided now to leave, "Someone once told me that my value is far greater than I ever realized. I'm ready to embrace my potential and show the world how extraordinary I can be! After all, when the going gets tough, the tough make stronger lemonade." With those powerful words and quirky blonde ending lines, the old club slipped into the past. Its owner mysteriously vanished, paving the way for a vibrant future brimming with promise and excitement through dancing, waitressing, bartending, club games, streaming, sponsoring, and so much more! Bambii even got that car she wanted A year later. However, memories of the night still pop up when least expected; whenever doubts cloud Bambii's mind or any of her work family fall into depression, they relive that day, revisiting that video featuring a "Cool Cat" Bambii once met, igniting the spark that propelled her and her crew to shine bright in the spotlight rather than lurking in the shadows. She even looked back on the pictures she took with him and many others who supported her throughout her life, but now it was time to move forward.
Meanwhile, Tariq sat quietly on the highway, gaze fixed on a picture stuck to the ceiling. One of the dancers took a picture of that moment and gave it to him, along with some food, drinks, and possible clothing. With a beaming smile, he stepped outside to take in the starry sky. "Adieu mon amour," He whispered in French as tears rolled down Tariq's face and a shooting star streaked across the night, a vivid symbol of hope for new beginnings, a place beyond the ordinary.
As lovely as this farewell in the chapter may have been, it makes you wonder… What happened to Big Mackie?…
A few days ago—Big Mackie was plunged into a living nightmare—trapped in a shadowy room, his body bruised and battered, a gag stifling his cries for help. Panic surged through him as men in sharp black suits stormed in, their presence ominous. "Welcome, Martell Gomez—if I may—Big Mackie, the dazzling star who traded the comfort of Ohio for the glitzy dazzle of Vegas!" one sneered, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
Frustration boiled within Mackie as he fought against the gag and restraints, his heart racing with desperation to scream for help. But then, an icy chill washed over him as the lead agent declared, "No, don't even think about speaking. You're here to answer some pressing questions—and that's the only reason you're still alive." Mackie's blood ran ice cold as one of the men pulled out a photo, revealing Tariq, captured walking alongside the stunning Bambii. "Have you seen this man?" The agent growled, his eyes glowing a menacing red. A pair of fangs protruded, revealing their true nature as something far more sinister than mere agents.
….A few days after that incident, Big Mackie was found dead; it was unknown who had done this…. There were multiple suspects, but one in particular caught their attention… Tariq.