Wssshhhhhh!
The electric doors silently separated, and as Ari entered, he felt as if he was in the wrong building.
White marble floors with grey and gold vines running throughout.
A bubbling crystal fountain was in the center of the lobby space, with creature-shaped waterspouts shooting water over the mermaid sculpture at the center of the fountain.
Large flowering bushes encircled the fountain, marble pillars lined the walls, and a large skylight let in bright sunlight to illuminate the lobby.
With the sweet smell in the air and barely audible classical music playing, Ari felt like he had entered some rich executive hotel instead of a company building lobby.
"…Vegas?" Jamie muttered as he looked around, pushing his cowboy hat back so that he could see better.
He felt as if he were in one of the many Vegas hotels and casinos that his father had taken him to when he went on business trips.
"Jamie? Are you sure this is the right place?" Ari looked at him accusingly.
"Hey! Don't blame me. That's what the GPS said. Let's ask the front desk workers over there." Jamie pointed to a marble desk with two women whom Ari hadn't noticed earlier.
They were both dressed in tightly fitting suits, with their hair slicked back into a neat bun, and glasses perched on their noses.
The two of them dragged their bags over, and one of the women smiled brightly at them as she stood up.
"Hello gentlemen! Are you here for Pop Star Academy?"
"Yes, we were concerned that this wasn't the right location," Ari replied while looking over the two women.
It seemed that they were receptionists as the second woman was typing away furiously on her computer while mumbling into her earpiece.
"Ah, no need to worry, the building's quite nice, right? They spent a lot of money decorating it."
"Yes, ma'am, this is better than some hotels in Vegas that my dad has taken me to," Jamie replied while looking around again.
"I'm glad you like it. The elevator is that way, and you'll head to the 7th floor. I wish you both good luck with the program."
"Thanks!"
"Thank you."
As he and Jamie turned the corner as instructed, Ari saw three fancy glass elevators with glowing neon 777s on them.
He approached the electronic panel in the middle wall and clicked 7.
- Ding! -
- Doors Opening -
A robotic female voice sounded out as the far right elevator opened, and he and Jamie entered it and stood there.
- Doors Closing -
- Welcome, Pop Star Academy: Project 777 Contestant! -
- Now going to the 7th floor -
The robotic female voice sounded out again, and then the elevator shut before it began rising slowly.
The elevator's interior was all glass, and Ari glanced briefly through it at the beautiful LA city visible as it slowly rose before glancing at the electronic screen that displayed images of different idols created by the companies that partnered for Pop Star Academy.
BTZ, Red Lace, Super Bang, Mega Junior, Illu Yong, Bastille, Harmonies, etc
Some of them were Korean idols, but some of them were Western Idols as well.
- DING -
- Doors Opening -
- Arrived on the 7th floor -
The elevator smoothly stopped before opening, and Ari stepped out into a space blocked off by five large LED walls, which formed a hexagon with the elevator.
The wall closest to the elevator on the left had a sign that read.
[⬇️⬇️ LEAVE LUGGAGE HERE ⬇️⬇️]
After they both dropped their luggage off to the side, the LED screens began lighting up with glowing swirling dots and stars that moved around like galaxies.
It was like a 3d movie experience as the subtly rising music blended in perfectly with the space-like graphics until a shining star was displayed.
Then, little pieces of golden dust formed glowing golden words on a starry night background.
[[Welcome to Pop Star Academy Contestants.]]
777, the number that represents Jackpot, also known as making it big.
You, Contestants, are like pieces of dust, unremarkable for now yet brimming with hidden potential.
Little pieces of dust floated on the screen as the text continually appeared.
With the heated challenges and immense pressure brought on by participating in Pop Star Academy, you too can win the jackpot and become like the sun that illuminates our solar system.
A small clip of dust compressing on itself before exploding into a bright globe of light was displayed, before the planet Earth beneath it was revealed.
Shining your light and spreading your talent across the globe for everyone to witness.
Are you ready to take on challenges and follow your dreams of becoming the brightest stars to illuminate the earth?
Then head to the top like the stars you aim to become to achieve your dreams.
Ari read the cheesy lines appearing before him and, for a second, wanted to respond in a snarky manner.
But remembering that the production team would be recording even if they didn't plan on using the footage, he kept silent, glanced at Jamie, and arched his brow.
"Thoughts?"
"I guess we should head to the top floor. Did you see it written when we came in?"
"No, but the building is like what, 23 or 24 floors? Now that I think about it, it could also be the 21st floor because of the jackpot thing. Let's just start typing backwards and see what works. If we're on the wrong floor, it's easier to take the stairs down than to climb up."
"Fine with me. But do we really have to leave our luggage here? My guitar…."
As they both turned to look at where they had placed their bags, they awkwardly made eye contact with a person wearing a black 'Staff' shirt who had opened a secret doorway in the LED wall and was dragging their bags through it.
Ari: "…."
Jamie: "….."
Unknown staff member: "..."
Drag-
Drag-
Drag—
The staff member continued dragging their things, struggling to fit the awkwardly shaped guitar through the small doorway.
"…do you need help?"
Shake shake shake shake.
Instead of speaking, the staff member shook their head rapidly before shoving the suitcase through first, carrying the guitar, and then shutting the secret panel, making the LED screen look seamless once more.
It was like a magic trick and a mime act mixed in one.
"They….spent an unnecessary amount of money in the weirdest places," Ari muttered quietly.
"If they're just testing it out today. I wonder what weird thing they're going to use it for later." Jamie added. "I hope it's not scary."
Thinking about how realistic and crisp the images were on the LED screens and then imagining it turning into a horror show, Ari shuddered before beginning to type on the elevator panel.
24
Error
23
Error
22
- Ding -
The elevator finally opened, and the two rode up to the 22nd floor.
- DING -
- Doors Opening -
- Arrived on the 22nd floor -
And when the elevator opened, the space was completely dark and empty.
There was no light except for the exit sign, and when Ari tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge as if it were locked.
"…isn't this a fire hazard? That's illegal." Ari stared at it in disbelief.
"Guess it's the 21st floor. Let's go. Or should I slam it down?" Jamie flexed his arm, looking fully ready to do it.
"What if it sets off an alarm? Let's just go."
Taking the elevator once more, they finally arrived at the 21st floor.
And when the doors opened, Ari could only look around in shock.