Chapter 32 - Black Room Boy.

Listen to the Above & Beyond song on Spotify.

Mac finds himself locked in a dangerous gambit with Romstoller, who was recently exiled from the Pyramid Club. Wearing Esri’s mysterious sharkskin suit, Mac confronts Romstoller at his lavish condo, escalating tensions until the volatile man attacks him. Gasping for air under Romstoller’s grip, Mac offers an alliance, leveraging lies about Club security and personal stakes to gain trust. Romstoller, thirsting for revenge against the Club and Rose, reveals crucial insights about its vulnerabilities. As they align to dismantle the Club’s reputation, Mac realizes he’s treading a perilous line between manipulation and being manipulated, Esri’s shadow looming over every move.

Chapter 33 - Open End Resource.

Listen to the Andrew Bayer song on Spotify.

In his quarters at the Club, Easton monitors incoming guests while preparing to host another elite event. Amid his routine, a peculiar exchange with his AI, Song, reveals the system’s unexpected depth. When Song questions Easton’s favorite song, The Pyramid Song, Easton reflects on its haunting beauty and paradoxical nature. Song counters with an intricate analysis, admitting a preference for a human choir’s imperfect rendition, which defies its mathematical understanding yet feels complete. The conversation hints at Song’s evolving consciousness, leaving Easton to ponder the enigmatic power of his creation—and the future, where Rose will inherit its control.

Chapter 34 - Secrets.

Listen to the Weeknd song on Spotify.

A night of convivial mingling takes a tense turn for Easton when Song alerts him to a cybersecurity breach involving Mac. A sophisticated malware signal is detected emanating from Mac’s jacket, though the young man appears unaware of its presence. Easton’s confrontation with Mac, watched by his father Gio, escalates but yields little clarity as Mac denies involvement. While the jacket is confiscated for analysis, Song’s insights reveal Mac’s untruthfulness, leaving Easton grappling with unanswered questions. As suspicion mounts and connections to past events deepen, Easton resolves to uncover the breach’s source, sensing a looming threat tied to Song’s ominous premonitions.

Chapter 27 - The Gaudy Side of Town.

Listen to the Gayngs song on Spotify.

Easton navigates the Pyramid Club’s reception hall, rejoining the vibrant crowd after expelling Romstoller. Amid casual conversations about the Club’s origins and its blend of music and investing, Easton deftly sidesteps probing questions from Mac about its security systems while maintaining the mystique of his silent partner, Rose. As cocktail hour concludes, the evening transitions toward dinner and presentations, offering Easton a brief respite from the weight of his secret burdens.

Chapter 28 - Walk Into the Light.

Listen to the Trevor Something song on Spotify.

Jayson finds himself surrounded by the world’s ultra-wealthy at the Club, marveling at their unapologetic pursuit of power while grappling with his own mission. His fixation on Rose—the enigmatic singer who seems entwined with his destiny—grounds him amidst the opulence. A heated exchange with Arbor CEO Ladonna Chambers highlights the tension between his pursuit of justice and her unapologetic dominance, as she defends her company’s secrets with thinly veiled threats. Despite the looming danger, Jayson’s resolve strengthens: clearing his client’s name and finding Rose are all that matter.

Chapter 29 - I'm on Fire.

Listen to the Bruce Springsteen song on Spotify.

Mac’s evening at the Club is consumed by a covert mission to gather intelligence for Esri, who seeks to steal Rose’s diamond. As he scans for security vulnerabilities and replays Easton’s cryptic remarks about the Club’s protections, Mac finds his efforts frustratingly inadequate. A fleeting distraction comes with Rose’s haunting performance, her voice mesmerizing the crowd and momentarily captivating even him. Despite his admiration for the Club’s splendor and exclusivity, Mac knows he must betray it to ensure his survival—love for its allure eclipsed by the primal need to endure.

Chapter 30 - Nobody Knows.

Listen to the Autograf and Wynne song on Spotify.

Mac’s quiet evening in sweatpants is interrupted by an ominous message on his UD: Esri’s “invitation” to DISCO ARDENT, which is more a command than a request. Forced to cancel dinner plans with his father, Mac reflects on his fall from grace—from his celebrated rise as a top restauranteur, gracing magazine covers, to his cocaine-fueled downfall and entanglement with Esri’s criminal empire. Haunted by the betrayal he must soon commit against the Club, and weighed down by guilt over disappointing his father, Mac resolves to endure it all to survive. But the cost of reclaiming his life feels impossibly steep.

Chapter 31 - Butterfly Caught.

Listen to the Massive Attack song on Spotify.

Mac visits DISCO ARDENT, a hedonistic nightclub, to meet Esri, who tightens her grip on him. Amidst the club’s chaotic decadence, Esri demands progress on his mission to retrieve the Club’s diamond while revealing its connection to advanced quantum tech. She escalates control by introducing Mac to a compromising scene of drugs, sex, and debauchery, forcing him to relinquish his moral resolve. Succumbing to the chaos, Mac accepts his descent into her world, realizing escape is no longer an option.

Warning: This episode contains depictions of abuse that may be triggering for some people.

Ch. 23 - Million Dollar Man.

Listen to the Lana Del Rey song on Spotify.

Erik Romstoller plots to undermine Easton and the exclusive Pyramid Club. He leverages manipulation and calculated seduction, targeting Rose as a pawn in his scheme. However, his toxic entitlement and delusions of power culminate in a violent confrontation, exposing his sinister nature and unraveling his carefully crafted facade. This chapter starkly contrasts his external charm with the festering darkness of his true character, setting the stage for inevitable consequences.

Ch. 24 - Red.

Listen to the Phoria song on Spotify.

Rose sits trembling against the door, her body pulsing with shock. The sting of her swollen cheek and bloodied nose pale in comparison to the emotional storm inside—shame, guilt, and disbelief battling for dominance. She replays the attack in her mind, blaming herself for not acting sooner, while another voice insisted she was the victim, that it wasn’t her fault. Alone and vulnerable, she clutched the weight of her diamond necklace, her thoughts spiraling back to childhood losses.

Ch. 25 - The Hollow.

Listen to the A Perfect Circle song on Spotify.

Easton is pulled away from a business conversation by a dire Branch message about Rose’s distress. He rushes to her quarters, finding her shaken and injured after an assault by Romstoller. As Rose recounts the ordeal, Easton wrestles with his anger and a desire to protect her while respecting her wishes to keep the incident quiet to preserve the Club’s secrecy. Determined to ensure Rose’s safety and dignity, Easton plans to revoke Romstoller’s membership, all while marveling at Rose’s resilience as she prepares to perform despite the trauma.

Ch. 26 - DLZ.

Listen to the TV on the Radio song on Spotify.

Easton confronts Romstoller after uncovering damning evidence of his assault on Rose and past transgressions. Using a blend of unshakable poise and cold fury, Easton forces Romstoller to withdraw from the Pyramid Club under threat of exposure and legal ruin. The intense confrontation in the Club’s restroom reveals both men’s tempers, but Easton’s calculated resolve secures justice for Rose while safeguarding the Club’s reputation. Romstoller departs humiliated, leaving Easton to reflect on the lengths he will go to protect those he loves.

Ch. 18 - Nothing You Can Say.

Listen to the Lane 8 song on Spotify.

Easton visits Rose on her birthday, gifting her the Polaris diamond necklace—a symbol of his love, pride, and hidden plan to entrust her with his legacy, Song. While Rose marvels at the beautiful gift, unaware of its true purpose, Easton wrestles with the weight of his impending sacrifice and the burden he is placing on her. The evening’s Keymaking Event will encode Rose as Song’s future controller through her performance, ensuring his creation lives on after his death. With a heartfelt request for her to sing his favorite song that night, Easton solidifies his plan while cherishing this fleeting moment of connection.

Ch. 19 - Faces in Disguise.

Listen to the Sunny Day Real Estate song on Spotify.

At the Pyramid Club’s reception, Easton observes new member Jayson Sola’s arrival and defends his inclusion against Ladonna Chambers’ objections due to Jayson’s controversial past. Reflecting on Song’s cryptic recommendation to admit Jayson, Easton notes his odd reaction to Rose’s name but brushes it off. Focused on the Keymaking Event’s success, Easton prepares for the pivotal performance, aware of the high stakes tied to his hidden agenda.

Ch. 20 - Everything in Its Right Place.

Listen to the Radiohead song on Spotify.

As the investment presentations concluded, Easton’s heart raced in anticipation of the Keymaking Event. Rose, adorned with the luminous Polaris diamond, took the stage with her band, Compass Rose, dedicating the hauntingly beautiful “Pyramid Song” to Easton. As she played and sang, the diamond encoded her biometric signature, capturing every nuance of her physiological responses to the performance. The mesmerizing song swelled and receded like waves, leaving the audience in awe, while Easton silently celebrated the success of the Event—securing his creation, Song, as a legacy to be passed on to Rose.

Ch. 21 - Easy Yoke.

Listen to the Kinnship song on Spotify.

Ladonna Chambers, CEO of Arbor Systems, faces a growing crisis after Jayson Sola’s podcast allegations link her company to Remi Darden’s murder. As public suspicion rises, she contemplates a drastic measure to protect Arbor’s integrity. Weighed down by the stakes, she considers using a shadowy service to preempt further damage. The pressure of maintaining Arbor’s dominance intensifies as she reflects on her next move.

Ch. 22 - Trumpets.

Listen to the BY.ALEXANDER song on Spotify.

Mac’s fear escalated as he met the formidable Esri, a criminal mastermind who confronted him over his debt and past failures. Summoned to her opulent yet menacing November Arcology condo, Mac endured humiliation, physical intimidation, and Esri’s volatile rage as she toyed with his life. In a desperate attempt to survive, he revealed the existence of the Pyramid Club and its fabled diamond, inadvertently sparking Esri’s interest in the club’s secretive cyber network. Now bound by her commands, Mac faced the chilling reality that his freedom—and perhaps his life—hinged on his ability to infiltrate the Club and carry out her demands.

Chapter 12 - Babylon.

Listen to the David Gray song on Spotify.

At DISCO ARDENT, Jayson is engulfed by the chaotic, pulsating energy of the club, its thumping bass and strobe lights intensifying his already blurred senses. He follows Corrine through the crowd, and soon the surreal images from his Compass Rose dreams begin to surface, overlaying reality like a haunting filter. After taking a pill from Corrine, he becomes more detached from his surroundings, though his obsession with the pyramid symbol persists. When he spots a woman in the VIP section with golden eyes, he is unnerved by her eerie presence and the tension that follows, as her bodyguards nearly provoke a confrontation. After a brief, chilling encounter, Jayson, shaken and confused, decides to leave the club, his mind fixated on Rose. On his ride home, the reflection of Rose's face seems to appear in the window, symbolizing the inescapable grip of his dreams. At home, Jayson is left to confront the disarray of his life, grappling with his mounting frustration and the unsettling certainty that Rose will be waiting for him in his sleep.

Chapter 13 - When the Party's Over.

Listen to the Billie Eilish song on Spotify.

Rose transitions from her dazzling stage persona to her private, vulnerable self. After her performance at the Pyramid Club, she reflects on her past with Easton, whose unwavering support helped her navigate childhood grief and grow into the artist she is today. As she journeys home through the city, she confronts the aching loneliness in her heart, longing for a companion to share her life and heal her deeper wounds. Finally, alone in her brownstone, Rose contemplates the meaning of “home,” unaware that her life is on the verge of a profound and transformative upheaval.

Chapter 14 - In My Dreams.

Listen to the James Morrison song on Spotify.

Jayson successfully defends Mac in court, exposing police misconduct and securing a dismissal of charges. Despite the victory and Mac’s gratitude, Jayson remains haunted by visions of Rose, a phantom woman from his dreams, whose connection to his current reality eludes him. His fleeting euphoria is tempered by exhaustion and lingering grief for his colleague D-Rock, whose efforts contributed to the case’s outcome. A cryptic conversation with Gio Mason hints at deeper mysteries, leaving Jayson to grapple with the unresolved threads binding his dreams, the case, and his search for meaning.

Chapter 15 - One of These Mornings.

Listen to the Moby song on Spotify.

Easton prepares to entrust Rose with control of Song, his groundbreaking AGI system, in the event of his death. Aware of the dangers his creation poses if exposed, Easton codes a contingency plan tied to a unique “Polaris diamond” that will only activate if Rose sings a specific song and his death is confirmed. Their exchange reveals Song’s intricate understanding of self-preservation and its connection to purpose. As Easton finalizes the safeguards, his reflections on mortality and his legacy underscore the high stakes of his secretive work.

Chapter 16 - Over My Head.

Listen to the Beacon song on Spotify.

Jayson’s unsettling visions of the Black-Eyed Angel deepen the mystery surrounding his recurring dreams. The chapter opens with a haunting scene in which a marble-white, statuesque woman with black sclera silently beckons Jayson into a shimmering, surreal river. Her inhuman presence exudes a strange pull, urging him to follow. As he submerges, feelings of nostalgia and comfort replace fear, propelling him into the depths of an enigma he cannot ignore. Awakening abruptly, Jayson grapples with the meaning of these visions, which he suspects connect to the Compass Rose and the clandestine Pyramid Club. Despite distractions in the form of indulgent nights with Corrine and interviews, his unease lingers.

At his office, Jayson receives a cryptic envelope marked with the Pyramid Club’s emblem. Inside lies an advanced Leaf Device (LD) and an enigmatic note from Gio Mason, hinting at access to something far beyond monetary payment. The LD initiates a high-security authentication process, with a promise of a PIN yet to come. Soon after, an imposing courier arrives, delivering a pyramid-shaped jewelry box containing the literal pin Jayson recalls seeing on Gio Mason’s lapel. The chapter concludes with Jayson poised on the threshold of deeper intrigue, torn between unease and curiosity as the path to the Pyramid Club and the elusive Song Program beckons.

Chapter 17 - Infinite Games.

Listen to the Zola Blood song on Spotify.

Jayson’s world shifts as he delves deeper into the mysterious Pyramid Club. A simple pin, bearing a star-topped pyramid, ignites a storm of recognition—mirroring symbols from his dreams and his meeting with Gio Mason. Holding the pin activates the Song Program LD, a powerful digital assistant that introduces Jayson to the Club’s exclusive ecosystem. The onboarding process is steeped in secrecy and layered with complex security protocols, including a mandatory Non-Disclosure Agreement, biometric verifications, and signal-jamming technology. Jayson marvels at the intricacy and intensity of the Club’s measures, realizing that its exclusivity likely protects significant secrets and powerful individuals.

As the Song Program guides him through the perks of membership, Jayson learns of the Club’s cutting-edge investment framework built on blockchain and DAO governance. He discovers his initial SONG token balance of 55 million, equivalent to over a million dollars, a gift from Gio Mason. The program suggests tailored preparations for the Club’s next event, including a custom tuxedo, using advanced data analytics to predict Jayson’s preferences and measurements. Overwhelmed by the sophistication and reach of the Song Program, Jayson begins to embrace its unsettling yet alluring capabilities—allowing it to scrub his public data and arrange his transformation into a polished member of the elite. With a mix of awe and unease, Jayson takes his first steps into this new world, where power and privacy intertwine.

Chapter 9 - Wicked Hearts

Listen to the Junge Junge song on Spotify.

As the techno-elite gathered at the Pyramid Club, Easton, adorned in a meticulously crafted indigo jacket, took a deep breath and joined the reception, his Branch-enhanced memory ensuring he recognized everyone. He navigated the room, greeting influential figures and engaging in strategic conversations while leveraging Song's AI capabilities to augment his social interactions. The Club's ambiance, filled with futuristic tunes and dazzling attire, reflected its members' affluence and technological prowess. Amidst discussions on investments and technological innovations, Easton's thoughts wandered to his niece, Rose, whose musical performance was highly anticipated. The evening was a testament to the blend of opulence, technology, and human connections that defined the Pyramid Club's unique world.

Chapter 10 - Born to Die

Listen to the Lana Del Rey song on Spotify.

In this chapter, the atmosphere shifts as the Pyramid Club’s event transitions from investment presentations to a live musical performance by the band Compass Rose. The audience erupts in applause as the band, led by a mesmerizing frontwoman named Rose, takes the stage. The song, Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die, reverberates through the hall, capturing the emotions of the elite technoclass members, who, despite their advanced technology, are still deeply moved by the raw human experience conveyed in the music. Rose’s performance is an emotive display of vulnerability, with her voice and body weaving a captivating, melancholic narrative. As Easton watches her, he is overcome with pride and emotion, his connection to Rose as both her uncle and adopted father becoming palpable. However, his brief moment of joy is tempered by a chilling mental exchange with Song, where Easton is confronted with the stark reality that his death may be the only way for Rose to survive, deepening the complex tension between his personal feelings and the technological forces at play.

Chapter 11 - Feel Love

Listen to the Feed Me song on Spotify.

Jayson wakes from another restless night haunted by vivid dreams and an overwhelming sense of loss. With D-Rock’s recent death and his ongoing obsession with the elusive figure of Rose, his grip on reality slips further. He’s consumed by his search for the red door with the pyramid symbol, believing it holds the key to saving Rose from the same fate that claimed his friends. Despite his deteriorating mental state, he distracts himself with work and alcohol, venturing into the night in search of answers. His quest leads him to a series of bars, where he engages in erratic conversations, trying to uncover the meaning behind his dreams. When he meets Corrine, a mysterious woman at a strip club who connects his symbol to tarot and horoscope predictions, Jayson feels a sense of fate guiding him. Together, they head to an after-hours party in Brooklyn, where the night stretches on, and Jayson contemplates the surreal turn his life has taken. As he grapples with the deaths around him, his obsession with Rose and the symbols intensifies, leaving him to question whether fate is real or if he is merely spiraling deeper into madness.

Chapter 6 - Pay My Debts.

Listen to the song by Beacon on Spotify.

Mac’s life is unraveling fast. Arrested with drugs and an illegal gun, he’s now enduring a scathing reprimand from his father, Gio, who’s appalled by his son’s actions. Gio had envisioned Mac taking over the family’s restaurant empire, a dream shattered by Mac’s spiraling choices. The tension between them has worsened since Mac’s mother’s death, as Mac resents the pressure of fulfilling her aspirations. However, Gio’s anguish is compounded by the memory of his late wife, Allegra, who had such high hopes for their son. Meanwhile, Mac is equally haunted by his ties to Esri, a ruthless cybercriminal who lost a fortune’s worth of drugs and sophisticated malware because of Mac’s blunder. Esri’s chilling message, YOU OWE ME, echoes in Mac’s mind, as he realizes he’s indebted to a powerful figure who could dismantle his life with ease.

Chapter 7 - Superhuman

Listen to the Andrew Bayer song on Spotify.

Arriving at the exclusive Pyramid Club, Ladonna Chambers epitomizes wealth and power as she enters with a polished confidence. Her hemp-wool sharkskin suit and the Club’s insignia on her lapel reflect her status as a tech trillionaire who’s grown her fortune through ventures like Arbor Systems. Here, amidst electro-acid jazz and the rich sunset glow, she basks in luxury, savoring the feeling of nearly divine stature that the Club affords. Ladonna feels at home, surrounded by elites who share her ambition to shape the future of humanity through technology, if only for a moment enjoying this retreat from her mission of engineering human evolution.

Chapter 8 - Reckoner.

Listen to the Radiohead song on Spotify.

Jayson’s reality is being invaded by dreams of a woman marked with a Compass Rose tattoo. Once dismissive of destiny, he now believes this woman exists—and is in grave danger. His focus shattered, he struggles to juggle his caseload, particularly Mac Mason’s complex case, which now hinges on the discovery of police misconduct. Investigator D-Rock’s new evidence, including footage of the arrest, gives Jayson a chance to build a solid defense. But after a long day of preparation, he’s haunted anew by the dreams and guilt over his friend Anton’s death, driving him toward escape in a nearby bar. The Compass Rose dream, entwined with Jayson’s memories and inner conflict, seems to foretell an unavoidable path.

Introductory notes.

Foreword.

In this chapter, I reflect on the idea that a good book is like a dream, and for me, this story is no exception. It’s more than just one dream—it’s actually three: mine, the protagonist’s, and yours, the reader’s. But this book is a bit different from others because it wasn’t born from just words on a page. It came from a playlist (available on Spotify) I created—a mix of electronic music, alt-rock, and trip-hop (read more about it here: https://bantamdrexler.com/playlist/). As I listened, the story began to unfold in my mind. I saw Jayson’s compass rose tattoo, Rose dead on a divan, and the Pyramid Club in a near-future New York City that’s stuck between the past and future. This version of New York is a place of contradictions—a city where opportunity collides with exclusivity, and technology has seeped into every part of life. Throughout it all, music ties everything together. My goal was to create something more than just a book. I wanted to offer an experience that blends music, art, and reader interaction—something that goes beyond the page and invites you into a world you can dream with and shape in your own way. Maybe someday I"ll achieve that. I do try and interpret the book visually with digital art on social media, but for now, the best way to immerse yourself in the story is through this podcast.

Prologue: Evolve.

Check out the Phoria song on Spotify.

The prologue immerses readers in a high-tech, cutthroat world, where innovation races ahead of ethics. Ladonna Chambers, CEO of Arbor Systems, looks out from her penthouse, relishing the impending release of her company's groundbreaking technology, Branch—a neural interface that allows users to control their devices with thoughts alone. Ladonna sees herself on the cusp of reshaping humanity’s future, certain that her invention will make her a legend. But beneath her confidence lies a simmering tension.

Remi Darden, Arbor’s lead engineer, barges into her sleek, high-rise world with alarming news. He’s discovered a critical vulnerability in Branch’s system, a flaw that could compromise users' most intimate data. Darden’s revelation threatens everything Ladonna has built—her empire, her reputation, and her dreams of eternal recognition. But while Darden urges caution, Ladonna is unwilling to delay the launch. For her, the risks are worth the reward. To halt now would be to forsake her destiny.

As the prologue unfolds, Ladonna’s thirst for control over human evolution becomes chillingly apparent. When Darden refuses to back down, Ladonna takes drastic steps, hiring a hitman through a dark web service to silence him. This chapter sets the tone for Digital Song, where technology’s reach into the mind sparks intense moral conflicts. In Ladonna, we see a character so consumed by power that she’s willing to erase any obstacle—even the people closest to her—to shape the future in her image.

Chapter 1 - Porcelain

Listen to Moby - Porcelain on Spotify.

In the years following his law partner Anton's tragic death, Jayson has become a haunted, relentless lawyer with few people he can trust. The chapter opens with Jayson awakening from a vivid, almost prophetic nightmare—a dead woman with a compass rose tattoo, a murderer shrouded in distorted light, and Jayson's own face, watching from the doorway. Shaken but grounded by his daily court obligations, Jayson pushes the dream aside, confronting memories that still feel raw. Anton's murder, five years ago, and the ensuing battles with the NYPD have shaped his life and hardened his resolve, turning the once hopeful lawyer into a lonely crusader for justice. Amidst the trauma and isolation, a chance encounter with a woman named Alyssa the previous night stirs something within him, sparking curiosity about a potential connection that he desperately wants but fears is out of reach.

As Jayson reflects on his evening with Alyssa, he finds himself torn between his painful past and the fleeting hope for a future beyond grief. His mind cycles through memories of Anton, the viral footage of his death, and the relentless harassment Jayson now endures for exposing police corruption. Yet, Alyssa’s belief in Fate leaves him questioning his own disillusionment. Walking to work through a New York City that both thrives on tradition and teems with futuristic tech, Jayson contemplates the fine line between chance and destiny, even as his heart remains anchored to the tragic events that reshaped his life.

Chapter 2 - Beat Organ

Listen to 16BL - Beat Organ on Soptify.

In this chapter, we follow Easton Card, a sophisticated, sharp-dressed man navigating the gritty streets of Brooklyn towards the Pyramid Club—a secretive investment society he co-founded with his niece, Rose. Exuding an air of wealth and power, Easton cuts a striking figure amidst the industrial decay. But behind his poised exterior, he’s haunted by secrets, particularly the one he’s kept from Rose: a prediction of his impending death. As he approaches the club, Easton reflects on the bond he shares with Rose, who has been more like a daughter to him. He’s determined to protect her, even if it means concealing painful truths.

Inside the Pyramid Club, a blend of art and opulence conceals the high-stakes world Easton has built. We learn that his venture into artificial intelligence, “Song,” started decades ago as an algorithm with an uncanny knack for creating music. Fueled by early investments in Bitcoin, Easton’s project has grown into something monumental, hidden even from the Club’s wealthy patrons. Despite the Pyramid Club’s appearance as a haven for elite investors, Easton’s true purpose lies in evolving Song into a sentient AI—a secret he’s been safeguarding. But with his health waning, Easton knows he’ll soon need to reveal everything to Rose, leaving her with both a legacy and a dangerous inheritance.