Chapter 5

To: All Velvet Reserve Members
Subject: A New Chapter at Velvet Reserve – A More Relaxed You

Dear Velvet Reserve Members,

I hope this message finds you well.

As your new Client Liaison, I’ve spent the past few days observing, listening, and learning what makes our club special—and where we can evolve to make your experience even more meaningful.

Velvet Reserve was built on a promise: to be your sanctuary. A place where you can shed the pressures of the world and reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with the very human joy of being present. In that spirit, I’m writing to share a small but powerful shift we’re making to help enhance that connection.

Effective next week Monday, we invite all members and guests to participate in our new dress code while inside the club level:

Terry cloth robes will be provided for our male members and guests.

Silk robes will be available for our female members and guests.

Private lockers, changing facilities, and temperature-controlled spaces ensure your comfort and ease at all times.

Why the change? Many of you spend your days in suits, uniforms, or professional attire—symbols of your responsibility and success. But here, we believe in creating a space where those layers can come off—literally and emotionally. By aligning with Rule 8 of the WE, we hope to remove barriers, encourage connection, and invite you to experience Velvet Reserve in a more natural, human way.

Please note: This change applies only to the club level. Our restaurant will continue to require traditional attire in accordance with health and safety guidelines. You’re welcome to enjoy your meal fully dressed, then slip into something more comfortable afterward.

Participation is encouraged but never required. If you prefer to remain in your own attire, you are still welcome, always.

As we step into this next phase, I encourage you to let go—just a little—and see what opens up. If you have questions or feedback, I’m always available.

Thank you for being part of Velvet Reserve. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warm regards,
Salvatore “Sal” Ransom
Client Liaison
Velvet Reserve – New York

“Well, that’s definitely a change,” Frank and Grant said almost in unison after reading the message. The email had landed in both their inboxes that morning, prompting an immediate phone call between them. At first, they were surprised—even a little stunned—by the boldness of Sal’s proposal. But as the conversation unfolded, their surprise gave way to understanding.

This was why Sal had been hired: to shake things up, challenge the status quo, and breathe new life into the club. If it worked, attendance would rise, profits would follow, and Velvet Reserve would become more than just a high-end venue—it would become something truly alive.

Neither Grant nor Frank said anything to Sal in a negative way. They both emailed him and congratulated him on a ground breaking idea. Neither of them said they would have thought of that. Both admitted it: the idea was just crazy enough that it might actually work.

Sal arrived at the club early in the morning and immediately started ordering robes from a hotel hospitality company, the same one that had supplied the towels the VIP lounges use. The sales person was thrilled to hear from them again, and with such a big order. The terry cloth robes were immediately packaged and shipped to the club arriving just a couple of days later. The silk women’s robes arrived a couple of days after that. The men’s robes were white and very soft. The women’s robes were deep purple and both of them had the club logo on the breast. Sal also changed the uniforms for the wait staff as well, bringing the norms from the other clubs to New York. The wait staff was reluctant at first, but none of them wanted to lose their jobs so they changed their working outfits to comply with the new dress code.

Sal had included custom smoking jackets for he and Marcus. Marcus laughed when several of them were delivered to his office.

“Really?” Marcus said, holding his jacket.

“I got one as well. They set us apart from the members and give us a sense of authority.

Marcus snorted, then put his jacket on and stood in front of Sal. With it tied around his waist, he struck a pose and Sal laughed as he put his robe on and tied it around his waist.

“Now, don’t we look good?”

“Yes, I suppose we do. Well done Sal.”

When the robes for the members arrived, were laundered, and folded for use, everyone who entered the club that Monday slipped them on without hesitation. They walked through the doors with their heads held high, a quiet confidence in their stride.

The dancers took notice. With the professional armor gone, the robes created an openness—an emotional and visual ease that leveled the playing field. As Sal sat observing from the lounge, he couldn’t help but notice the difference. Conversations flowed more naturally. Smiles came easier. For the first time, dancers and guests truly seemed at ease with one another.

Sal noticed that more of the dancers, wearing sexy outfits, moved through the crowd with ease and seemed more confident now. He moved to Claire while she was taking a break at the bar, and asked her about her thoughts.

“Good afternoon Claire.”

“Hello Sal.”

“Tell me something, what do you think about the members wearing robes?”

She turned to him, fixing her gaze upon him, “that was you?”

He simply nodded his head.

“Well, I’ve never seen it done before, but it seems to get the other girls out of their shells. And it makes private dances far easier to do without having to undress everyone first.”

Sal listened to her, then asked, “do the members seem more at ease? More able to relax?”

Claire had to touch her lip, thinking a moment before she spoke. “I think so. No one that I’ve been with since you rolled the robes out has been uptight, as far as I can tell, they’ve all seemed comfortable wearing the robes.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He said smiling, then looked around the room. The dancers who were working and the members who were there weren’t separated by class or status, everyone seemed to be just in their human headspace. What had started out as a crazy idea seemed to be working.

A Friday night arrived, two weeks after the robes were offered to the members and Julian Westbrook arrived at the club for a meal and a lap dance. His work this week had been tedious with many interruptions and interference from staff and students, so he didn’t feel like he was able to relax at all the whole week.

As he walked through the doors of the restaurant, the smell of food filled his nose and his mind left all of the worries behind. He sat down at a table and ordered the chef special. He didn’t even bother to look at what it was. He simply has eaten at the club enough to know that if the chef designed it, it was going to be outstanding.

When the food arrived, Julian had to pause and simply look at the food. It wasn’t microwaved, warmed up left overs or fast food. It was real food and hand made. Braised Short Ribs with Truffle Polenta. The short ribs were so soft, he couldn’t pick them up with his hands. He had to use a knife and fork to pull the meat away from the bone and fork it into his mouth. The polenta was firm, but with a creamy richness that filled his mouth with flavor. The carrots on the side with a dark brown sauce over them just brought the whole meal together.