Black Velvet Cabaret

Managed by the duo of James Henry McDaniel and Kit Regar, the cabaret beneath Chicago's Water Tower Place is a hidden den of luxury and intrigue. Nestled in an extra-dimensional space beneath the bustling cityscape, this establishment is accessible only through magically concealed entrances, ensuring utmost secrecy and exclusivity. The interior, a lavish testament to the glamour of the 1930s and 40s, offers patrons an escape to a world where time-honored elegance meets the allure of the supernatural. This unique setting, combined with the strict governance of its rules and the diverse clientele it attracts, underscores a realm where everything, even life itself, is up for sale to those with the daring and resources to pay for it.

At its core, the cabaret provides the quintessential experiences of a classic speakeasy. Patrons are treated to an array of exquisite drinks, expertly crafted at the grand mahogany and brass bar, all while being immersed in an atmosphere of historical charm and mystique. Live performances on the main stage feature music and acts that explore both sensual and carnal possibilities. Additionally, the cabaret offers a particular kind of companionship, discreetly arranged for those seeking the company of others, whether for simple conversation or more intimate encounters. These services, offered in an ambiance of luxurious decadence, ensure that every visit to the cabaret is both memorable and uniquely satisfying.

Club Interior

The interior of the cabaret exudes an opulent and mysterious ambiance, blending elements of luxury and the supernatural. Rich, dark wood paneling, plush deep red carpets, and subdued lighting from ornate chandeliers set the tone in the foyer. The main lounge, with its deep purple and red velvet drapes, leather sofas, and marble-topped tables, invites intimate conversations and discreet observations. A grand mahogany and brass bar lines one side, illuminated by backlit shelves, while private rooms offer sanctuaries for a range of experiences. The stage, a centerpiece for enchanting performances, is accentuated by heavy velvet curtains and advanced audiovisual equipment. Throughout, the cabaret's extra-dimensional nature subtly asserts itself, with architecture and spaces that hint at otherworldly vistas, making it a haven of intrigue and luxurious decadence.

Rules

The club enforces its rules with unwavering strictness, employing the Arcane Mark, a magical symbol, to signify violations. These rules are absolutes, crucial for uninterrupted business flow and ensuring patrons understand the consequences of their actions. While the club maintains strict accountability, it may negotiate alternate penalties for infringements by patrons from powerful organizations or influential families.

Absolute Discretion: Patrons must maintain the secrecy of the cabaret's existence and location at all times. Breaches of this confidentiality are met with severe and immediate consequences.
No Interference with Business: Guests are forbidden from disrupting the various operations within the cabaret, whether they be mundane, criminal, or supernatural in nature. This includes any interference in transactions, performances, or other patrons' activities.
Respect the Supernatural Order: As a sanctuary that bridges the human and supernatural worlds, the cabaret demands respect for all beings and entities present, regardless of their nature. This rule is strictly enforced to maintain harmony and prevent conflicts that could threaten the cabaret's stability.
Transactions Are Final: All deals, bets, or agreements made within the cabaret are binding and irrevocable. Patrons are expected to honor their commitments without fail, and the cabaret's proprietors ensure enforcement of this rule.

Violations

All those who transgress are given the Arcane Mark of Servitude. This involves binding the transgressor(s) into indentured servitude with a magical marking visible only to supernatural entities. Offenders are marked with an arcane symbol, signifying their transgression and binding them to servitude within the cabaret. They must fulfill various roles, from manual labor to specialized tasks, until their debt or violation is resolved.

Debt as Servitude: Those unable to pay their debts are bound to work within the cabaret, performing tasks that range from menial labor to entertainment, depending on their skills and the nature of their debt. Offenders are assigned to work in the cabaret’s more dangerous and secretive operations, such as in the drug den or the human trafficking network, under strict and often harsh supervision.
Metamorphic Retribution: For serious violations, individuals are subjected to magical transformation into objects for décor or beings designed to serve and entertain clients. This transformation acts as both a punishment and a symbol of the cabaret's formidable control over the supernatural.
Enforced Patronage: Violators are compelled into a contract where a significant part of their income or assets is directed to the cabaret until their debt is cleared, often at a rate reflecting the severity of their offense.
Forced Participation in Underground Fight Club: Offenders may be required to fight in the cabaret’s underground fight club, either as a form of dispute resolution, demonstration of submission, or as a physical punishment.

Location

Nestled beneath the bustling energy of Chicago's Water Tower Place, a landmark of urban sophistication and commercial vitality, lies the cabaret owned by James Henry McDaniel and Kit Regar. This clandestine establishment, though physically anchored under the shopping complex, exists within a magically protected extra-dimensional pocket, shielding it from the prying eyes of the ordinary world. This unique spatial anomaly not only provides an added layer of secrecy but also contributes to the otherworldly ambiance of the club.

Access to this hidden realm is carefully guarded and ingeniously concealed through magical means. One entrance is located behind a seemingly ordinary mirror in one of the mall’s upscale boutiques. To those in the know, the mirror serves as a portal, phasing patrons directly into the cabaret's dimly lit foyer. Another entrance is ingeniously disguised within the Water Tower Place’s parking garage. A specific parking spot, when activated teleports clients into the foyer. The third and most secretive entrance is accessible only to the supernatural clientele. This entrance is a temporal distortion hidden in plain sight by the Water Tower's historic outdoor fountain. By stepping into the fountain at a precise moment, supernatural beings can slip through time and space, emerging within the cabaret’s luxurious confines.

Services Provided

Exclusive Nightclub and Bar: The heart of the cabaret, offering an array of exotic drinks and live entertainment. The atmosphere is a blend of modern flair and nostalgic elegance, catering to those who seek a luxurious escape.
High-Stakes Gambling Den: A private area for high-rollers, featuring games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. This space attracts the thrill-seekers and fortune-hunters, offering a tantalizing blend of risk and reward.
Supernatural Consultations: Unique to this establishment, these sessions offer interactions with various supernatural entities. Clients can seek advice, fortunes, or even engage in esoteric rituals, all under the watchful eye of James Henry McDaniel.
Illicit Marketplace: A discreet venue for the trade of rare and forbidden items, ranging from artifacts of supernatural origin to high-value contraband. This service caters to collectors and those seeking items that are otherwise unattainable.
Human Trafficking Network: A dark and highly secretive part of the cabaret's operations, involving the illegal trade of humans for various purposes. This service is shrouded in utmost secrecy, accessible only to a select and trusted clientele.
Drug Den: A section of the club dedicated to the use and trade of various narcotics. This area provides a controlled environment for indulgence, appealing to those seeking escape through substances.

Underground Fight Club: A clandestine venue where illegal, no-holds-barred fights are held. This draws a crowd that thrives on raw violence and primal competition, with high stakes for both participants and bettors.

Private Event Hosting: The cabaret offers luxurious spaces for hosting private events, from high-profile gatherings to secretive meetings. These events are tailored to the client's needs, ensuring exclusivity and discretion.
Brokerage Services for Supernatural and Mundane Deals: Acting as intermediaries, the establishment facilitates various deals, ranging from business contracts to supernatural pacts. Their extensive network and influence ensure successful and discreet transactions.
Safe Haven for Supernatural Beings: A sanctuary for supernatural entities, where they can socialize and conduct business away from prying human eyes. This service solidifies the cabaret's position as a nexus for the supernatural community.

History

In the early months of 2022, beneath the vibrant pulse of Chicago's cityscape, a unique cabaret began its operations, cloaked in enigma and allure. This establishment, a brainchild of James Henry McDaniel and Kit Regar, was not just a haven for nocturnal festivities but also the epicenter of a formidable criminal enterprise.

James Henry McDaniel, with his history woven into the supernatural, not only infused the cabaret with an air of ancient wisdom but also with a dangerous edge. His calm yet commanding presence belied the ruthless efficiency with which he ran the darker aspects of the business. In this underworld, every life and every commodity had a price, and McDaniel was the arbiter of this clandestine market. His ability to traverse the realms of both the human and the supernatural made him a figure of both respect and fear, as he manipulated the strings of the cabaret's hidden operations.

Kit Regar, McDaniel's wife and business partner, brought her sharp business acumen into play, ensuring that the cabaret's illicit activities were both profitable and discreet. Her modern approach masked the sinister undertakings beneath a veneer of innovation and charm. Together, they orchestrated a network where high-stakes gambling, human trafficking, and the trade of forbidden artifacts were commonplace, turning the cabaret into a hub for those seeking forbidden pleasures and power.

As 2022 progressed, the cabaret gained notoriety as a sanctuary where the impossible was within reach, for a price. It attracted a clientele that ranged from the city's elite to its most dangerous denizens, all drawn to the promise of what the cabaret offered. The club became a microcosm of the city’s darkest desires, a place where fortunes were made and lost, where lives were traded like currency, and where the line between the supernatural and the mundane blurred into obscurity.

Under the guise of benevolent proprietors, McDaniel and Regar ruled over this domain with an iron fist clad in velvet. Their establishment stood as a monument to their vision: a world where the past and present coexisted, where the ordinary was a façade for the extraordinary, and where every desire came with a price. In this realm, they were not just the owners of a cabaret but the sovereigns of a shadowy empire, where every decision could mean the difference between opulence and oblivion.