The dinning hall was not what I had expected. I was thinking a high vaulted ceiling with beautiful crystal chandeliers and tablets with elegant set ups. Instead it was a long hallways lined with doors on both sides. A small podium stood front and center with a burly man behind it. Though strikingly handsome, broad shoulders and a clean cut bread, he still had a menacing presence. His eyes rose and met mine as I walked closer to him.

"Invitation." He barked

I handed him my invite and stepped back a little while he read over the content. He eyed me suspiciously. These people treated me like I was an intruder. I really didn’t think I was that suspicious looking. Maybe it was just employees being careful of customers. I could not tell you for sure. To be honest, I was already so intimated. It felt like I wasn’t supposed to be here. I looked behind me thought about walking back through the door and out of this mysterious place, but I promised Antonio I would try again. We both promised we would try again. The big man startled me out of my thoughts with grunt.

"Ma’am."

"Ah! Yes?" 

"The door to your immediate right. Go in there fill out the paperwork in there to proceed."

"Th-thank you!" I stuttered and rushed into the room.

I breathed a sign of relief slumping my back to the door. He was scary. When I looked back up my anxiety reached new heights. A whole room of men and women were staring at me. All had obviously been filling out paperwork and I had interrupted the silence. I hunched my shoulders and looked away from the prying eyes. I can imagine my face was all sorts of red. I held my head low and surveyed the room again as everyone lost interest in me. I spied a bar at the far end of the room and made my way over to it.

"Vodka." I said to the bartender.

"A shot? A glass? A bottle maybe…" He chuckled at me.

"A shot." I laughed at myself

"First time?" He said as he turned to grab a bottle and poured me two shots.

"I am so obvious its embarrassing."

"You're entrance was a little…. Panicked." 

"Oh dat… yes." I slammed the first shot and immediately grabbed the second. The burn was perfect.

I watched him put the bottle back and notice all the alcohol bottles were top shelf. There were 8 different vodkas including a few flavored ones. He was replacing a bottle of Stolichnaya Elit. Expensive, Russian, and my favorite. He caught me watching and winked. He obviously caught on that I was Russian and chose accordingly. I nodded my appreciation. I turned around to find a beautiful woman standing a few steps away from me obviously waiting for my attention. 

"Miss Ivanov?" She said with a barbie smile.

"Yes." 

"Perfect. Here are the forms and such. The last two pages are rules and once you've read through and filled out the forms you can hand them to me and feel free to enjoy the menu." Her perky little voice graded on the edges of my patience, but there as always a plastic queen at places like this. 

I nodded a thank you and took the forms. She didn’t move away but instead lingered and shifted uncomfortably.

"Is there something else I should be aware of?" I questioned knowing exactly what she really wanted to ask.

"NO! Its just… your umm… Is it umm..."

"Just ask. Its ok." I sighed. I was used to people staring, and I preferred if they just straight up asked instead of skirted around the topic like dog poop on the sidewalk. 

"Are you here because you…. You can’t find anyone outside? I mean those scars..." She sheepishly asked.

"No. I am here because I vas invited!" My russian accent was getting thicker as my impatience started to fly out of control. I was on edge as it was. You see most people were confused by my appearance and your usual attractive man would never look at me in the first place. I mean beautiful normal women don't have canes like mine and walk with a limp. They also don't have large scars down the sides of their faces from beatings and fights. They also don’t have a brand under their collar bone marking them. I started to doubt myself. Antonio told me to put my full self on display tonight and I had listened to him, partially. I had adorned myself in black tonight, mainly because it matched my raven hair. The black contrasted with my pale skin and green eyes. My black heels only gave my 5’ 7’ curves a two inch lift. The longs sleeves covered my tattooed arms and the brand I spoke of. If I displayed that part of myself too many questions were asked, and many of them I could not answer. For my safety and the safety of those who asked. However, the calf length dress left the intricate designs on my back on full display. I leaned on my steampunk skull head cane in my left hand. Although, my appearance always garnered questions, most people were drawn to the two parallel lines that ran diagonally from my right forehead to the left side of my jaw. I was either perceived at a broken child or an intimating dominatrix. Neither of which, I would use to describe myself. At first I was ashamed, but not anymore. I had accepted my body for what it was now, glad I left my life in Russia behind before it had swallowed me whole. I started to use a cane five years ago in recovery after the accident that permanently damaged my right leg.

"I'm sorry…" The woman's word brought me back from reflecting on myself.

"What I mean to say is that you're very unique. Are you here to sample tonight or just browse?" 

"I only come to browse."

"Oh. I see. There are a few on the menu this evening that prefer your…"

"My vaht?"

"Style."

"Ahnd vaht style is dat?" The woman shrunk back at my curt words. Shit. I was starting to let my annoyance show. People making assumptions again. I guess I cant really blame them.

"Nevermind. Ill let you get back to your evening. Enjoy!" She chirped at me like a little song bird. Oh how I wish I was a cat at that moment, but I had also promised Antonio to be nice to people tonight. She obviously didn't was to aggravate me anymore. It always bothers me so much when people make assumptions about anyone. I suppose I do the same things, but I'd rather listen to someone before I start making true judgement. Moving on. I wanted to get this over with before my night was completely ruined.

I found an unoccupied set of chairs and began to fill out the paperwork. Most of the forms were about confidentiality and safety. I signed all the agreements and NDAs necessary to continue on to “The Menu”. I came to the introduction and as I read instead of being annoying my interest peaked. Now this was interesting;

Welcome Honored Guests,

We are honored that you are able to join us for sampling night. Tonight we have 40 samples. Twenty women and twenty men for your dining pleasures. Each man and woman has been carefully based on the survey conducted over the last three event nights. Please enjoy as you partake in our delightfully menu.

Rules

1. Do not touch samples without their permission.

2. Only taste samples upon request.

3. No pictures or recording devices are allowed.

4. A sample has no obligation to reveal themselves to the taster.

5. A sample may choose to leave at any time during tasting.

6. Each tasting lasts no longer than 20 minutes.

7. If you wish to spend more time with your sample, you can proceed to the end of the line for the sample. The sample may requested extended amounts of time with the taster.

8. Coitus is prohibited.

9. You may request a full meal, but there is no guarantee of being served a full course meal.

10. You may only request a full meal with one sample.

Remember that a full course meal is not guaranteed. If any of these rules are broken or if the sample feels unsafe, you will be escorted from the premises and your membership will be placed on probation pending review. Please sign below stating you understand and will follow the rules as stated above for the safety of our guests and samples.

Interesting. This was going to be interesting. My night just got a whole lot more interesting.