Page 1 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

I

Falsifications

1

Nightmares

Mikko

The Truth Behind Portland’s Night Scene

“Safe nights out on the town? A thing of the past apparently,” reports Steve, one ofThe Portland Social’smost dedicated journalists. After some digging, we were appalled to discoverBubblegum,a notorious nightclub in downtown Portland, may not be as safe and carefree as the owners would have you believe.

From the trendy pink neon sign hanging above the entrance,Bubblegumentices visitors to slip inside for a night of dancing and drinking. But after multiple reports from partygoers, the club might be in a sticky situation. And not the kind found under your dance shoes.

One woman said the drinks were watered down while still gouging her bank account. Another stated the space was cramped and in need of a deep, deep cleaning. A man even told us someone had stolen his wallet right out of his back pocket while he was dancing.

While most of those mishaps may seem ordinary and a consequence of many night clubs, that’s not where these perils end.

A few evenings ago, someone anonymously confirmed the murmurings surrounding the apparent gambling dens located in the basement of the club. Many lower levels of businesses hold boilers and mildewy storage space. It seemsBubblegumis not one of those places. We can’t help but wonder where this money is coming from and going off to? Who would participate in such heinous activities?

And most importantly, why have the police not stepped in?

Great.

As his eyes skimmed over the article—which was written like a cheesy reality TV script—Mikko found the urge to drown himself in liquor creeping in. It was wrong, he knew, but it was so, so mucheasierthat way. The bite would erase the acidic taste accumulating in his mouth.

His finger twitched involuntarily.

Instead, he picked up his cellphone from the corner of his work desk and called the only person he could at this early hour. The time displayed on his phone was a little after two in the morning, but he knew Cristiano would pick up.

Sure enough—

“Something better be on fire,” Cristiano answered on the third ring, “because I hadjustgotten my pillow fluffed right to fall asleep.”

Mikko snorted. “You and that damn pillow. You know when youstart seriously dating, you’re going to have to hide that ratty thing.”

“Hush, let me worry about that,” muffled rustling could be heard in the background as his friend no doubt stuffed the pillow behind his head, “now, please tell me why you’ve interrupted my beauty sleep.”

“Didn’t know you had a set bedtime,” Mikko said, a sly grin on his face. He crossed a leg, his ankle resting leisurely on his knee waiting for his friend’s response.

“Well, I would, but crime never sleeps,” Cristiano countered, “so, neither can I.”

“Remind me to rectify that for you, yeah?”

“Of course, of course,” he said, “but remember, I only accept your ploys via—”

“Cash,” both men stated in unison.

“Ah, so youdopay attention,” Cristiano teased.

“I find you stop repeating yourself when I do.”

“Hey, I told you to go to the doctor’s to get your ears checked…I was starting to think they wereclogged.”Mikko could almost hear the way his friend lifted his arms in faux surrender, his own smile widening. Cristiano always knew how to yank him back from the dangerous abyss in his head.

“I did,” Mikko replied, “and they said I’mfine.”

“A second opinion never hurt anyone—”