Club Eclipse – Short Story By Zephaniah Jackson

By Zephaniah Jackson, Staff Writer 

“Welcome to the Eclipse” the sign read as Kristo walked into the club. He was fascinated by the lights and walkways as he explored his surroundings. The first hallway was a neon blue as holographic ocean waves washed across the walls. Kristo kept walking when he entered an elbow section. This time it was green, and its holograms were jungles and trees. There were even digital animals all running through the place. Once he was through there, he could hear the close but faded rumbling of the music on the main stage. Kristo finally made it to the entrance of the main floor and noticed the security guard standing there. Unlike most guards, Kristo met this one and was quite happy to see him.

​“This your first time at Eclipse man?” The guard asked as he smiled. “Yeah it is, how could you tell?” Kristo asked. The guard pointed at Kristo’s hands. Kristo looked and saw how his hands were turning different colors trying to adapt to space.​“Your Mind Space is trying to adapt to the atmosphere. It takes a few minutes for every newbie,” the guard said. “Well, if you want to go in you gotta show me your pass.”​“Oh right, here it is.” Kristo raised his hand and the image of his pass lit upon his hand.“My god! Do you have a Crystal pass? The only ones who get those are handpicked by the Boss. Sorry for keeping you, enjoy your stay.” The guard said as he greenlit the door. ​“Don’t worry about it,”  Kristo replied anxiously.

That anxiousness disappeared the moment he set foot in the main room. There were people everywhere on the dance floor. Kristo looked to his right to see the many bars and drinks that were available. There were all kinds of people that Kristo didn’t want to talk to, especially since he spotted some guys snorting Black Daggers in the corner. There were street kids, business executives, normal people, tech wizards, and even politicians who just wanted to dance the night away. As Kristo walked around he learned why the place was called Eclipse, there was a Mind Space illusion hovering over the main stage of an eclipse. The “sun” was blocked by different stage lights and illusions to get the party going. Suddenly, an elk appeared above everyone as it ran through the air. Then a voice was heard amongst the crowd.

​“Look it’s him! Qube!” The voice shouted. Everyone looked up towards the set and saw the DJ standing there. The elk returned to his side and disappeared back into his head. His head was a cube-shaped machine that glowed a neon blue and had an 8-bit face. Two x’s and a smile on it.

​“Today we journey East! We start tonight with a sweet treat from Kay Nakayama. This one’s called Supreme Moment.” The music started kicking up and suddenly Kristo was lost in the crowd. While he tried to make his way through the beat and the crowd, he couldn’t help but start dancing. So this is what it’s like on the dance floor. He thought to himself. As the bass dropped, he began moving his shoulders to the rhythm and tapping his shoes to match the beat. Everyone was having a blast, but someone bumped into Kristo as he was in the middle of the groove.

​“Sorry about that friend.” Said the stranger.​“Don’t worry about man! Just enjoy yourself.” Kristo responded. That reminded him that he had to speak to Qube about the opportunity. Kristo slipped his way through the crowd and managed to get into Qube’s booth. As the song was coming to its end Qube turned his big head around and Kristo stood there nervously.

​“Uh, hi there sir. I’m Kristo, you wanted me to come here tonight about becoming a DJ?” Kristo asked.​“Ah, you’re Fade, right? Well, that’s your stage name. Your Mind Space doesn’t lie.” Qube responded.

As the song was ending, Qube grabbed Kristo and put him right in front of the mixer set. Kristo was nervous knowing that all the faces were looking right at him from below, but Qube stood there to aid him. “You want to do this? Show me what you can do. All you have to do now is synchronize your Space with the set.” Qube whispered.

Kristo did just that. He took the needle on the set and injected it into his arm. He was hit right in the face with the force he felt emanating from his Mind Space. Then he felt normal again, and he queued up his first song.

​“Ever heard of the artist Bonobo, sir?” Kristo asked.“Out of my vast collection, I don’t think I’ve heard of him.” Qube responded. Kristo smirked as the room turned a cool blue. Oceans were heard and the crowd was dazzled by it. Dolphins and whales were swimming above the room as the crowd cheered. “Well then, you’re about to see it firsthand,” Kristo said as the song played.

​“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a new beginning for both you and me, allow yourselves to float in the waters, as we Fade into the currents,” Kristo said to the club. Just then, Emkay began playing as and the oceans began flushing the audience. It was all holographic of course, but the audience twisted and danced like the tides. Once the rhythm really began to move the aquatic creatures turned into Koi fish, and they danced too. Qube was blown away by the reception of his first song and was ecstatic.

​“God damn! I’ve never seen such perfect synchronization from any of my past clients. Kid, I think you’re gonna do great here. You’re hired!” Qube said with glee.​“Thank you, sir,” Kristo responded as he lightly bobbed and weaved with the music.

​Hey, let’s do a b2b, right now.” Qube said.​“You sure sir? This is my first time doing this. I don’t know if I can keep up.” Kristo said. “Kid, in this business you gotta learn to take risks,” Qube replied. As Qube walked up he used his Mind Palace to create a Hardlight copy of the set and stood next to Kristo and began the play. Hours went by until the crowd started to clear out.

​“For someone with such low self-esteem, you’re really killing it kid,” Qube said as he praised Kristo’s ability.​“End tonight with something lo-fi. Something that people can still dance to but as a cooldown for others.” Qube requested.“You got it sir; I have a special one I hope you like,” Kristo said.

Kristo grabbed the mic and announced to the audience the finale. ​“Alright everyone, time’s almost up tonight so we thought we’d give you something to relax to. We still have some fun left but let’s enjoy our final moments as the Eclipse passes. This is Dream Machine by Mark Farina with Sean Hayes.” The music began pumping through the speakers one last time and the crowd grooved to it. Some were a little displeased and disappointed by the selection, which visibly worried Kristo. Qube comforted him though and told him a little something.​“Sometimes you get people like this who are never satisfied, you just gotta cope. Trust me, kid, I’ve seen it through and through.”

Kristo thought about what Qube told him, but it triggered a memory to be displayed in Kritso’s Mind Space. All he could see was his past self-showing off you his musical talent to his parents. His parents were pleased but his older brother was jealous and abusive. He still remembers the night his brother died from DUI, and his parents blamed Kristo for this. Qube inadvertently saw this and his face displayed sorrow.

​“Jesus, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to look at that,” Qube said frantically.

​“No, it’s fine,” Kristo replied quietly.

​“Hey kid listen, I’m not the best at this but that memory is something you should use to strengthen yourself. Not to hinder,” Qube lectured. “This world’s pretty nasty, but when you’re guys like us you gotta make the best of it, right kid?” he asked.

​“I guess so,” Kristo replied.

​“Well, I’ll see you again tomorrow night, you did great tonight, but you need some practice. I’ll show you some tricks that’ll make crowd-quakes!” Kristo was comforted by Qube’s upbeat attitude and gained some resolve.

​“Will do, block boy.” He said.

​“That’s the only time you get to call me that, kid,” Qube replied jokingly.