What she didn’t know was why she had chosen that particular exit on the long stretch of highway. She pushed the thought away, tapping her lacquered nail on the elevator button. The night had been full of surprises already and she suspected there were more to come. When she had pulled off the Phoenix Boulevard exit, something about it had felt oddly familiar. Although that was impossible. The change of speed had been jarring and after hours of chewing through miles on the open highway in her blood-red Pantera, driving down the boulevard had felt almost like being in slow motion. The city was alive with energy and she couldn’t help but stare at the large group of people who had spilled out of the palatial doors of LuckyStars Casino and onto the crowded sidewalk. Slowing to a stop at an intersection, she had looked up to see the soft glow of the High Rise Hotel sign, its light diffused by the summer haze that still blanketed the city. She had seen destiny. Reflexively she felt for the delicate chain around her neck. Did she even remember what she was running from anymore? The elevator came to a feather light landing, the gleaming doors making a soft whooshing noise as they opened into a dimly lit lobby with a long bar off to the side. The beat of the music drifted over, beckoning her and she obliged, walking toward the low glow of pulsing lights. Sliding onto the soft leather stool and ordering a French '75, she finally allowed herself to exhale as she surveyed her surroundings. Rows of lush palms gave the space a secluded feel despite the size. The bar was luxurious and sleek, just like everything else in the hotel, and she watched the changing lights reflect off the bottles against the mirrored wall behind them. It was busy but not crowded and she was content to watch the well-dressed guests mingle. She didn’t know what was next but then again she never did. Certainty had always been elusive to her. The song changed and the beat picked up and that’s when she saw him. Tucked into the corner booth at the very back, a direct line of sight to the elevator. He locked eyes with her and took a sip of what looked like whisky, never breaking his gaze. The tempo shifted again and she felt her blood pulse along with it. It was too dark to see the amber liquid in the crystal glass in his hand but she didn’t have to guess what it was. Back up in her room, she’d had the long elevator ride to firm her resolve, her hand subconsciously fluttering to her necklace only once. She opened the doors to the balcony, the muggy night air clinging to her skin. A shock of heat hit her first, then a feeling of lightness. Hot summer nights had always been her favorite. The distant sounds of traffic gently floated up and her senses took all of it in. She scanned the street below, watching the line of people waiting outside Holo Nights grow, then eventually wrap around the building. The purple glow of an arcade flickered in the distance and again that vague nostalgic feeling flooded her. What would happen if she finally stopped running? It was past midnight when she saw him. Leaning against the far corner of CJ’s, his immaculately tailored black suit blending in seamlessly with the shadows. Despite how high up she was, she could feel the heat of his eyes on her. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she was certain of something. She knew that the High Rise hotel was where dreams become real. credits released September 21, 2023 Written and recorded by Clark Thompson Narrative and world building by Kayla Macy Artwork by Clark Thompson Mixed and mastered by Michael McCluskey @ ZeroHour Studios Additional mixing by Clark Thompson Label - Mena Music Twitter/X - www.twitter.com/MidnightHiFi Instagram - www.instagram.com/MidnightHiFi TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@midnighthifi Facebook - www.facebook.com/MidnightHiFimore

A man is laying in a hospital bed during the last moments of his life replaying bittersweet memories.more