Chapter 42: Bring It On

From the very moment Niall had realized he would have to fast track the production of [Silver Comets], he had seriously began considering whom would be playing his fictional bandmates.

Though he could have stuck to the conventional route of casting auditions and readings to ascertain whom would be cast, he had equally been realistic enough to understand how rigorous, and most especially, time consuming it was bound to be.

If that was the case, wouldn’t it be more effective to find a session band, or even an actual indie band that was already experienced enough to work with to mitigate that long and arduous process.

To that effect, Niall had began sifting through his memories--past, present and future--hoping to stumble on even the vaguest of information that could provide him some avenue to find any such bands.

And with his Gift of Recollection, it didn’t take too long before he did find them. Several, in fact.

After eagle searching each individual band though, he soon settled on the one he felt was most fitting for [Silver Comets].

Midnight Avenue.

It was an indie band that had first gained acclaim after their time on the massively popular ’Rising Icons’, an American singing competition television series in the late 2000’s.

Composed initially of three teenage band members; Sam White whom was the lead vocal and guitarist, Archie Rhodes whom was the pianist, and Lucas Belton whom was on drums, the band was soon paired with a new lead vocal, Tyler Kingstone, to complete the band in the later stages.

For a fact, many whom had watched the show couldn’t help but root for the band as the chemistry they had displayed was just so unmatched compared with several other grouped bands on the show.

Yet, despite eventually going on to win the competition, one that had most believing would skyrocket the band into a global pop phenomenon, only one amongst the band members actually did.

Tyler Kingstone.

Even now, he remained relevant, his career as a mainstream musician rock solid.

Yet, the story behind that success couldn’t have been messier, a lot of which revolved around Tyler backstabbing his bandmates.

Not that any of that mattered to Niall at the moment.

Currently seated in a corner of the crowded café whose excited cheers were getting louder by the second, Niall’s gaze remained on the trio whom were currently tuning their instruments on stage.

Now in their mid-twenties, they still looked notably good, their charms not the least bit dulled by the passing years.

Sam with his sky-blue irises and swept-back blonde hair. Archie with his bottle-green irises and frizzled red hair styled in a side part. Lucas with his hazel irises and brown hair styled in a tapered, wavy top.

But more than that,

’Silver slates, silver microphones and gold instruments across the board. Not bad.’ Niall mused to himself, his Gift of Discernment active.

Clearly, he was more than impressed by their skills as he watched a platinum hue exude from their beings.

And though he’d sort of expected it given he’d rewatched all their performances on the show, it was still pretty cool to see it represented in actuality.

In any case, it didn’t take long before Sam spoke, the cheers in the café lulling a bit;

"Thank you all for coming to our café’s last open session. It’s always a pleasure to have you all."

Another wave of cheers rippled through the room, albeit there was equally an undeniably pensive air mixed in.

Nonetheless, Sam continued, briefly looking to Archie and Lucas behind him, both of whom gave him a bittersweet smile;

"These past couple years have been rough, we won’t lie. Our record deal got cancelled. Our last album got shelved. We got into some serious debt we’re still battling with. It’s been one misfortune after another."

"But you know, we tried our best. Did what we could. Kept the faith,"

"But then again, there comes a time when you realize you just have to throw in the towel and move on with your life." Sam smiled in acceptance, his head bobbing slightly as he continued;

"That moment for us, is now,"

"But not before we play you one last song." he flashed the audience a genuine grin, prompting them to cheer once more.

"And what song could be more fitting for a goodbye than that one song that’s been all the rage these past couple weeks,"

"This, ladies and gentlemen, is our cover of [Polaroid] by Niall Parker!" Sam declared and immediately began a rock version of the song’s tune alongside his bandmates.

Yet, as the audience cheered the loudest, Niall’s eyes had gone wide with a mixture of genuine surprise and astonishment.

Just like that, the session went on, the original members of Midnight Avenue delivering quite possibly the best cover of his song he’d ever heard.

Smiling warmly to himself, Niall simply enjoyed the show, more certain than ever of his decision to have decided upon Midnight Avenue as his fictional bandmates for [Silver Comets].

Soon enough, the session was over and people began to file out. Sam, Archie and Lucas also began to clear out the stage, carrying their instruments to the storeroom in the back.

Then, after they were done sorting it out, they made their way out, taking in the sights of the café one last time.

Staring at the one place that kept them motivated all these while despite the slew of rather unfortunate events that had plagued them, a resigned expression lingered on their features.

With the sort of debt they’d incurred after failing to meet sales expectation on their very first album following their split from Tyler, they had been forced to mortgage their café in hopes that their other albums would do well enough to keep them afloat, if barely.

Unfortunately for them, due to Tyler’s betrayal, their record label had it out for them.

Asides from not properly promoting their songs--that was if they even bothered--they completely sidelined them every which way, focusing on their more profitable artists.

It was inevitable then, that after ten years of forced mediocrity, one that eventually resulted in their contract being terminated and some pretty hefty debts, the current situation was as is.

In that case, it would do them a whole lot of good finding a job that actually paid, and not one that was surviving on their hopes and dreams.

At some point though, one of the trio noticed that one person remained in a secluded corner of the café, seemingly watching them in interest.

"Sir. The shop’s closed for the day." Archie spoke this time, much to the surprise of his bandmates whom had remained unaware of the man’s presence.

"We’d appreciate it if you could head out." Lucas quickly reeled in his surprise and added, his body language guarded.

"It’d be a shame to quit, you know?" came a reserved response instead.

"Especially since your cover of my song has to be the best I’ve ever heard."

Hearing those words, the trio naturally widened their eyes in genuine surprise as Niall continued;

"Hi. I’m Niall Parker. And I’d like to propose an offer to you."

As quickly as their surprise came, it plummeted.

Instantly, their expressions turned stony, implying that they weren’t going to be budging an inch.

Given all the shit they’d faced at the hands of their record label, all three knew better than to remotely trust any ’deal’ or ’offer’ without proper scrutiny in Hollywood.

In their younger years, they had fallen for it too many times to count. Now though, they’d been burned well enough to understand the underlying and unspoken rules that came with it.

Yet, despite the change in demeanor towards him, the young man casually retrieved his phone instead and said;

"But first,"

"I want you to listen to this."

It didn’t take long before a powerful piano riff filled up the ambience of the room, an even more intense pop-rock tune following after.

Then came the lyrics to the song itself, every bit of it as powerful as the tune itself.

After roughly two and a half minutes though, the song ended.

Sam was the first to react, looking down at his arm to see a trail of goosebumps in the wake of the song’s effect on him.

Archie and Lucas were much the same, their expressions stunned.

Given how much improvement all three figured they could still make to the songs, it was even more jarring that it was already so impressive right out the box.

Still seated on his chair though, Niall then said;

"That’s from a movie I’ll be acting in, a couple months from now. There’s also a couple other ones just like it, if not better."

"And I could really use your help in not just perfecting them, but also performing them." he continued, his expression genuine.

"What I’m trying to say is that I’d like you to star in the movie alongside me. And though I make no promises, if the movie becomes a massive hit, it might just revitalize your careers."

"So, what do you say? Think you’re up for it?" he offered, a thin smile tracing his lips.

*

(One week later...)

Henry was swamped with work.

As not just the movie’s producer, but equally its executive producer and Vrael Production’s CEO, he had so much on his plate to handle for [Silver Comets].

From securing a director, to assembling the crew to film the movie, to overseeing location scouting, securing permits and insurance and even overseeing each contract to be given to each involved individual in the movie--among so many other little things here and there--his schedule was utterly packed.

Yet, just as they were surveying an abandoned warehouse he and his location scouts had pinned down for the Battle of The Bands competition in the movie, he received two messages.

One from Niall that simply read;

Waiting on you...

Then another from Victor that was just a video.

Cocking a brow at the messages, Henry turned to his scouts, gesturing to them to hold on for a few minutes.

Then he clicked on the video, curious about its content.

To his surprise, the shot was taken in a recording studio. But more than that, Niall wasn’t the only one in the video. Rather, there were three other individuals, each handling different instruments.

And then they began, performing one of the very first songs in [Silver Comets].

Given he’d heard all the songs and he knew just how good they were, the particular song they were playing had been refined to such new heights, Henry wondered if it was even the same song.

More than that though, even though he couldn’t recognize whom the other band members were, one thing he definitely did notice, was how off the charts the chemistry between all four were.

As the video completed its playthrough, complete with Niall high-fiving his bandmates, the camera then turned to reveal that Victor was the one whom had taped the video.

Then,

"So, what’d you think?" the agent asked, a knowing smile tugging on his lips.

That was where the video ended.

Yet, Henry immediately let out an exhilarating grin.

’What do I think?!’ he thought to himself, an awe to his inner voice that implied he was being rhetorical.

I think it’s amazing!

That was what he texted back.

Then,

Also, bring it on!

I’ll be seeing both of you real soon.

Pocketing the phone after sending that, Henry suddenly found himself with renewed energy as he returned to the scouts.

Though indie movies typically took a minimum of three months for their pre-production, Henry had suddenly come to a decision of his own.

Two months. Within two months, he’d be done with this phase so they could move on to the next.

It wouldn’t be easy, that was for sure, but he’d definitely make it happen.

Advance Chapters are available on Patreon!

/Caer07