A group of men with idle minds
80 years. It has been 80 years since the country of Aidan decided to separate the two genders in male and female only states due to the dwindling and unequal gender population also with the increasing cases of domestic violence, divorces, and LGBTQ extremists. The Aidan Republic with the advancement in science and technology, created and funded the Government Fertilization and Artificial Womb Clinics or GoFAwC's, A facility that manages the donated reproductive cells of each states in order to make sure that no close gene family would end up creating an abomination. This dystopian reality is lost in context for the current generation, as they think it is normal that sons are born without mothers, Daughters are born without fathers, couples are of the same gender, and the joining of a man and a woman is but a fairytale or an art in a museum. Eight decades is a long time and with time comes history and with history comes curiosity, and with curiosity comes the sense of adventure.
"So what do you think? Want to join us?", says the man with the boisterous voice who same with all the men in the room have faces shaded by either the smoke of a cigar or the shadows made by the curtains covering the sharp light from the tall windows, creating an ambiance that of a secret hideout in an important meeting.
A man with clear blue eyes stares at his hand holding a glass of bourbon.
"What's the time limit, Freddie?" The man asks Freddie, the guy with the energetic charm replies
"None! It's just for fun! But the first to quit will have to pay the yearly membership fee of all club members for one year! Vans was first to lose." Freddie points at Vans, who raises his hands in defeat.
"Couldn't stand it.", and everyone in the room laughed even the man with the blue eyes smirked.
"So who's still in the game?", the man asks another question.
"That'll be me.", Louis answers, he's a man with a calm voice.
"He's practically married already!" Freddie continues, and the room is again storming with laughter. Louis didn't object as he taps his cigar on the ashtray.
"So the woman haven't noticed?"
"Well they think it's just advanced AI. Even the humanoid robot companions here can act real fluid." One of the men in the club massages the thigh of the realistic robot maid beside him, after all owning such things for them is like collecting vintage cars with modern engines.
"You don't have to worry, anyway we half own the company that builds these robot companions, and we have paid some smart people to shut their mouth. We bet there's women out there doing the same! So wanna join Oh noble Eric!" Freddie persuades.
The man called Eric lowered the glass his holding on the side table next to the sofa he's sitting on. He comfortably straightened his back lounged lazily and stared at the ceiling.
"Bring me one." Eric spoke sleepily.
"Where should we bring the XR equipment?" Freddie asks.
"Just ask Robert." The man staring on the ceiling replies. "It would be a good waste of time from this boring meetings" he thought as he began to doze off.
"What a lightweight! Who wants to bet he'll quit in a month?" Freddie continues the club event among those who are still awake, gambling with cards, and making under the table transactions.
The club is composed of rich gentlemen, whatever gentlemen means, heirs and owners of international companies with assets both domestic and abroad, sons of powerful and influential people, wasting their money on lavish event and luxurious things exclusive to only those who were born rich. The confidence in each of their personality is a result of both their education and upbringing.
Louis stares at the grand clock in the corner of the bourgeoise room. Seeing the hour hand leading to five in the evening, he decided it's time to leave.
"Men, I believe I have to go." Louis exclaims as he stands up and fixes his waist coat and pats his trousers to remove some ashes from his cigar.
"Back to the wife?" Freddie jokes. Louis only smiles as he takes his suit off the hanger near the door.
"Don't go Blue Beard on us okay." Freddie continues without watching him go. As he stares at his poker cards. Louis stops at those words before he exits the room.
"A devil's playground huh." Louis whispers to himself as he walks away, his steps echoing within the empty hallway.