Underworld 93 (Named after one of the 1000 Orienta Hells).
- Club Entrance
Two Kromeglow marquees tower up the walls, laying glowing letters over vids of the inside of the club. At the top of each marquee shines the Underworld 93 logo.- Main Doors
Two human “Crowd Integration Technicians” man the doors. They bear no visible weaponry.- Private Entrance
This entrance is for passholders, guests of the club and other Ops too successful to be subject to the hassle of rules and regs.
From the two doors stairs lead up to the lobby.- Coat and Weapons Check Booth
Connected by an armoured glass window to the lobby and manned by three young Orienta ladies. The coat check stops too much water getting onto the dance floor.- The lobby
This usually holds a press of people meeting and greeting.- Spiral Staircase
This is one of several spiral staircases around the club that lead up to a bewildering array of catwalks, balconies and private booths. Lining these areas are tables for those who prefer to not rub bodies down on the main floor. Windows look out from the balconies to those queuing outside trying to get in.
The overall effect is similar to Mort Downtown, although it is in fact meant to represent Orienta Hell which gets worse as you rise, not descend. The fact that the two are quite similar is not lost on visiting Ops.- Rest Rooms
‘nuff said.- The Beast
This is a complex, ten-meter high, bald, bullet headed figure recognisable as a stylised Brainwaster. Lasers flash from the sculpture’s eyes and its body is swathed in holograms, puffs of mist, and neolux tubing. A huge speaker in the statues belly pounds out the music being played on stage (or recorded tracks). Whilst many see the statue as a representation of Orientas belief that Brainwasters (and perhaps even Ebons) are entities released from Hell, the few Brainwasters who attend do not seem offended. They seem to have accepted the statue as a mascot and offer it toasts.- Table Area
Crammed to capacity with tiny tables and chairs this area is usually crowded with people hovering to grab a table when one becomes free.- The Bar
Manned by half a dozen bartenders.- Storeroom
Holds such items as liquor, pharmaceuticals, cleaning supplies and glasses .- Receptionist and Waiting Room
Contains couches and a mini bar to keep guests comfortable whilst waiting.- Office
One wall is covered by a vid-screen which can receive images from several cameras around the club.- Dance Floor
Reached by a broad ramp leading from the lobby.- Backstage Door
With a desk and chair for the doorman.- The Stage
Around two meters above the dancefloor the stage holds a tangle of cables, music generators. A roped off area in front of the stage holds speakers, laser generators, trid and vid units, mood blasters, smoke generators and other hi-tech rocker toys. A bewildering array of lighting units hangs on trees and grids over the stage as well as various grids hanging over the dance floor. An enormous vid screen (shown by the dotted line) hangs at the back of the stage, reaching almost to the ceiling of the cavernous club interior.- Backstage Area
Expanded below.Underworld 93 Backstage Key
- Club Entrance
Guarded by a doorman.- Lounge Area
Top quality sofas and chairs, with a rank of vending machines to one side.- Stage Mirror
A three-panelled, full length mirror, with FlexliuxTM spotlights mounted on top. A control panel lets the user set the spotlight colour and intensity to check their costume and makeup before going on. A computer interface allows the user to replicate the pulsing, changing lights that are planned to be used on stage.- Master Control and Patch Console
This complex system controls the master settings for all lights, music systems and other effect-generators in the club, and slaves them to performer control, as needed.- Storage Area
Stored here are packing materials for touring acts, plus racks of spare lights, speakers. Amps and other equipment. In the cabinet marked with a cross in a full Boopa medkit.- Storage Area
More storage, ,mostly for equipment such as tools and electronic and microtronic gear.- Dressing Rooms
These dressing rooms are small and cramped, with one or two dressing tables and a closet in each. Rooms 8-10 share a single bathroom, as do rooms 11-12.- Large Dressing Room
Reserved for the current star act. Larger and more comfortable than the others with a private bath, stage mirror, small bar, trideo system and music generator.
Comments / questions to Martin Wheeler