LvL UP

He pulled the shutter up from the store front. A glass door, light from the street shining through it, revealed a staircase going downwards. Above the door, a currently unlit neon sign, spelling the words “LvL UP Arcade Bar”, with fluorescent tubing shaped like a joystick next to it. 

Unlocking it, Flint descended the dimly lit stairwell, into a large, dark room. Flicking a switch on the wall illuminated the room, filling it with harsh, artificial lights, sound, and a rainbow of colour. Neon signs, graffiti and band posters lined the otherwise bare concrete walls. A polished metal counter lined one side of the room, a blue neon tube sign mounted above it, simply labelled “Bar”. 

A stage sat beside it, elevated slightly higher than the rest of the floor, with a variety of musical equipment pushed up against the wall, ready for use. The rest of the room was occupied by a collection of unoccupied steel tables and booths, each seat covered in soft cushions of all different colours, and a pool table, two cues and the cue ball left on its surface. Techno music was playing from speakers mounted overhead. Two doorways sat on either wall of the corner opposite the stage. One a solid, metal door occupied the frame, with a sign labelled “private” mounted onto it. The other was much wider, the frame seemingly designed to to host a double door, but sat empty. Instead, a curtain of a clear, iridescent fabric covering the doorframe. It was strange, seeing the place empty, but nice at the same time, getting to enjoy the atmosphere without having to deal with socialising and helping out patrons.

Flint removed his red hoodie, draping the fabric over the nearest barstool. He made his way around the back of the bar, pulled out a glass and cocktail shaker, and started mixing himself up a margarita. Once finished, served, and the used utensils washed and put back in their place, he took a sip, and made his way towards the metal door. Unlocking it revealed a private booth, with a shining round steel table surrounded by a u-shaped sofa, with several soft, velvety cushions across it. Upon closing the door behind him, the music from the main bar could no longer be heard, instead this booth had its own speaker, which he set up with some punk rock. Once it was playing and plopping himself down on the chair, making himself comfortable to enjoy his drink. 

Once finished, he emerged from the private area back to the bar, this time turning to the curtained doorway. He pulled back the sheet, and tied it off on a hook on the wall. 

It took a bit of fumbling to try to locate the switch on the wall, but once located, this room was filled with flashing lights, and the humming and chiming of devices turning on. His pride and joy. A myriad of arcade cabinets of all types filled the room. From simple pinball machines, guitar and dance games, to the more elaborate racing games with full seat, steering and gear setups, pretty much any arcade game that was available in Burrowgatory, had a set-up, if not multiple, here. 

He began the long process of emptying each machine of tokens, returning them to their dispenser, pocketing a couple for himself to use. Next step, collecting the earnings from the arcade, removing all of the carats, and bringing them to the bar's back office.

Once done, he returned back to the arcade, sitting into one of the racing simulators, a dark machine covered in patterns mimicking creeping flames, the screen displaying a track of dark basalt, surrounded by rivers of flowing magma, “Devil Driving.” Slotting in a token, the machine perked up, lights glowing and music playing. He selected an orange demonic avatar, track, and started the game. Slamming the accelerator, boosting the virtual car forward, he played throughout the three laps of the race, finishing first. Just as he was about to slot a second token, a cough behind him. “Thought you said this place was gonna be closed today?”

He turned to his partner, a purple horned pride bun, leaning in the doorframe. 

Flint rolled his eyes. “Yeah man, it is. That's why the front lights aren't on. I'm setting up stuff.”

“Sure, what, testing stuff you've had with years?”

“Yeah… that, sure.”

Zepp sat into the seat next to him. “Mind if I give you a hand then?”

“Yeah, whatever. Guitar Demon?”

“Hell yeah!”

Up the two of em got, headed over to the direction of the game.