At the condo’s entrance there stood two security personnel, of both genders. The girls had to submit to a light search, which was performed by the female security person. Everybody got patted down the same. It was usually a female who brought the weapons into the club undetected, for a male. Club owners and party promoters had smartened up and tightened their security. Even at events like this.

“Enjoy yaselves, ladies,” the female security member said after Kat presented her with the VIP passes.

“Thank you. We will,” Kat happily replied.

Even before they set foot inside the condo, the girls could hear music. It wasn’t deafening but it was loud. The tunes were unfamiliar to the girls because these were new artists that were signed to the company’s label. The sounds were hot, though.

Stepping inside the condo, the girls were greeted by a semi-packed house. Guys were standing in the long hallway, trying to put their mack game down. They maneuvered through the hallway, drawing flirtatious stares, and occasionally brushing up against a few partygoers. Normally that would have been a problem. In here it wasn’t. Almost everybody in the party had some things going for themselves, and didn’t want to jeopardize it over something so small as a bump against somebody they didn’t know.

“Where ya headed?” Tender whispered to Kat.

“I’m tryin’ ta find a place ta chill. Or the bar ta get a drink,” she replied, leading the way.

“There goes da bar,” Goldie announced.

They turned left and entered a barely furnished room. A small crowd congregated around the bar, waiting their turn to be served. The girls got in line.

“What will you have?” The white tuxedo-wearing bartender asked as they stepped up.

“Lemme get one virgin piña colada, a Long Island ice tea and an apple martini,” Kat rattled off, ordering for everybody.

“Coming right up.”

While they waited, the girls spun around to survey the party. They noticed lots of people dancing on the floor. This was the sign of a good DJ, one who can keep a party jumping. Continuing to look around, Tender soon elbowed Kat and Goldie. She had made a celebrity sighting. Ja Rule and Beanie Sigel were trading information on their two-way pagers. They were surrounded by their respective entourages. They casually glanced in their direction. Being from Philly, they were quite used to seeing stars. Just as well, since they didn’t have a prayer of getting close to them, anyway.

“Here you are, ladies.” The bartender handed them their drinks. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you,” they said in unison. The bar was open, courtesy of the record company. Kat noticed a tip cup, so she put a five-dollar bill inside. She was never one to knock somebody else’s hustle.

Sipping on their drinks, the girls began to mingle. They blended right in as if they belonged there.