~~CAFE DELIRIUM ~~ *CD2021

It's been a long exhausting day. I'm shuffling my feet up the walkway to my apartment when I hear my name being called.
"Tiff! Tiff! You gotta come out with us tonight!"
I groaned..."Britt. ..I'm too tired and you know I don't do the whole bar scene."
Britt was all giggles and smiles with excitement.
"I know you do the whole sober thing...that's why this is a perfect night! Cafe Delirium is playing at The Old Warehouse. "
I groaned again...louder.
"I'm not up for a live band tonight Britt. I just want to go to bed."
Britt looked at me with a serious face, like I had just said the most insulting thing in the world.
Cafe Delirium is not a band. It's an experience .

One hour later I find myself in a long line-up of people. It's dark outside now, with just one streetlight outside the venue to illuminate us. I'm thinking I must be crazy to be here...but the premise is so intriguing that I have to see it for myself. Being sober, I miss the vibe of the nightclubs.
It's almost midnight and there has to be three hundred people here. Slowly we start filing in. When we get inside I see every single person is being given a paper cup of coffee. There are no orders placed...no special menu.
I turned to Britt and asked..."So...what's in the coffee?"
She rolled her eyes at me...."Don't worry...it's not what you think. It's just a special blend that only they serve . There's nothing funky in it. Just enough caffeine to give you a jolt."
I needed a jolt right now. I should be in bed.
The cup was filled with a dark thick liquid. It smelled like coffee but with undertones of floral herbs. I sipped it. It was bitter and earthy...but instantly invigorating. It was tepid but warmed me all the way down my throat and as soon as it hit my stomach I was warm and tingly all over.
Britt pushed the cup away from my mouth.
"Don't drink it yet! You'll spoil the ritual! "
"Ritual? Is this some kind of cult get together?"
She looked at me like I had three heads.
"No. ..it's just part of The experience. You'll see."

A DJ walked out on stage...dressed completely as a barista. I chuckled at the literal humor.
As he raised the microphone with one hand...and the coffee cup with another...he spoke...
"Kindred spirits ...are you ready to trip the light fantastic with me?"
There were whoops and whistles and cheers and people were chanting ...."HOTTER THE BETTER ....HOTTER THE BETTER..."
The DJ smiled and said..."Dunk your doughnuts in this, baby..." And he chugged down the entire cup full in his hand and the stage went dark as all of us did the same with the cups given to us.
The huge screen on stage lit up with various abstract images....the music started quiet and low. But quickly it built in decibels and the lights on stage lit up and it was as bright as daylight.
"Good Morning "...the DJ began....and yellow laser lights shot out everywhere.
Paper cups went flying in all directions as the crowd of hundreds began to dance to the music.
The lights were mesmerizing. The heat of bodies in motion mixed with the mist of dry ice fog and the cold cement floor under our feet. The beat carried through the speakers became my heartbeat and I felt like if I moved away from them it would stop.
Everyone was dancing in their own rythym but all our movements became as one. We were cogs in a musical machine that generated the energy that kept us going despite the fatigue we should have been feeling. Hours were minutes and minutes were flashes of memories like Polaroid snapshots.
The couple slow dancing in the middle of a crowd. *Click
The tall guy dressed in a Hawaiian shirt..looking like he just hopped off a cruise ship.*Click
The frisbee that went flying over my head out of nowhere like a glowing UFO ...spinning...spinning. ..and disappearing into the crowd.*Click
The girls wearing feather boas ...each in a different color...performing their well rehearsed choreography while nobody was really watching except me. *Click
My feet were lead . My legs rubber. But my body was compelled to keep moving.
The positive energy flowing from the lights over the crowd of people like auras of their true colours.
A woman with long beautiful blonde braided hair brushed up against me. She said..."Isn't this the best! "....and then she drifted away.
I can't see Britt...but it doesn't matter. In this moment we are all one. We are the universe experiencing the ecstasy of a synchronised musical of bodies in flow.
I'm smiling. Everyone is smiling.This is heaven.
********************************************
6 hours later....
"Hey ,gotta smoke?"
I open the door to the brightest sunlight I have ever seen and the shadow of a man eclipsed in front of it. My mouth is extremely dry..but I manage a "Sorry...no...".He moves out of view and the heat and light hits me full force like a 100 watt bulb. I realize I must look ghastly.
Britt slides out the door behind me.
"Looks like you had fun"...and she laughs handing me a paper cup of fresh brewed coffee. ...
"Hotter the better..." I said." and downed the whole cup in one shot.

a reply to: AccessDenied

That was awesome
I got to experience their experience. I was dancing in my head enjoying that positive vibe.




Love the artwork too!

I think I've 'spun' at a few of those gigs!

Enjoyed the story AD
Johnny

originally posted by: JohnnyAnonymous
I think I've 'spun' at a few of those gigs!

Enjoyed the story AD
Johnny

a reply to: CrazyBlueCat
Thank you!
😊

a reply to: AccessDenied

Love the art


I've seen club scenes in movies. They seem kind of like what you describe.

Me? I order my coffee at 130° (54.4444 °Celsius).
I get to drink fast
and taste the coffee
instead of seared flesh.

a reply to: pthena
I adapted the club scene from my own experience at music festivals. I too prefer my coffee hotter than most. The fact that I have to reheat it twice so I can finish one cup is proof.😂

a reply to: AccessDenied

Nice!!

Not quite “dystopia” but on the fringes!



Great story!!

originally posted by: TEOTWAWKIAIFF
a reply to: AccessDenied

Nice!!

Not quite “dystopia” but on the fringes!

Great story!!

Thank you for reading!

Good one. I'm not the rave type but that sounded like fun.

a reply to: Vroomfondel
Thanks for reading. I didn't picture myself a rave type either but it's definitely fun.

a reply to: AccessDenied

That brought back old memories.

Sounds like a Floyd concert, except the "coffee". LOL

Loved it man.

originally posted by: MykeNukem
a reply to: AccessDenied

That brought back old memories.

Sounds like a Floyd concert, except the "coffee". LOL

Loved it man.

Thank you!