Audition

A new day starts, and you see yourself ... naked. " It's comfortable. " You think to yourself leaving the room, and forgetting that you don't live alone anymore. But for your luck, they are not here.

" Walking naked is ... fun. And you like it. " You whisper waving to your invisible fans, and decide to give them a show. " Don't forget your morning stenches, people. " You say copying a famous influencer while your move slowly your body.

It's not gymnastics, a workout, or even a dance. If someone was watching only could tell that is ... weird. But without a critic around you, it's pure ecstasy. " And after this, a quick shower. " You think entering the bathroom. When you finish, after drying your body and hair, is time to eat the breakfast.

" I wonder how many tips could I earn if I was serving the tables like this. " You giggle to yourself while washing the dishes. Not only yours, but also from your friends. Still naked, you remember the old man, and run to your room.

" Are you feeling better ? " You write the message so fast that you surprise yourself.

" Who are you ? How did you got this number ? " Answer the old man thinking that someone found out his scams.

" Sorry ... it's Kelly. I saw the number on the guitar. " You write even faster.

" Oh, Kelly ... Good morning. I was thinking it was ... Yes, I'm better. Thank you for asking. " He writes back smiling. You can't see but he is also naked, but he is touching himself. And when you prepare to write a few more lines, you see a message.

" Audition tonight. " Erick's message gives only a few details, but is enough to make you smile.

" I have an audition tonight. Wish me luck. " You write without thinking that the pervert is a total stranger.

" Good luck, if you want drop by to tell me how it went. " He writes remembering how sad you looked.

" Really ? That will be amazing ... I'm not sure at what time I'll arrive ... So can I send you a message before ? I don't want to ruin your sleep, and ... sorry, I talk to much. " You write fast, like if you were talking.

" Message me when you want, Kelly. The best way to wish luck is with a deep hug, and I0m sending one to you. " He writes trying to see how hippie is the guitar chick.

" I'm feeling it ... Thank you. " You write, and begin to dress up. He smiles thinking that you are hippie enough to swallow a lot of his old tricks, and begins to dream with you on his bed. The working day is normal, and so are the tips.

" So few people ... Scarlet guided me to find a new job ... And I almost wasted the opportunity." You think while ending your shift. There is not time to go home, so you have a quick change of clothes on the toilet, before you leave your job.

As you and Erick walk in, both are greeted by a couple members of the staff. They take your names and add you to their clipboard. You'll be the 3rd act to go on since there are two other acts ahead of you. You inform them that your drummer Eddie is parking your van and will be back soon.

" And your band name is ... ?" A woman holding the clipboard asks you.

"The Derps" You reply.

" Derps ... OK." She replies as she writes it down wondering how little people know about marketing.

"We need to come up with a better name." You think to yourself reading her reaction because of your "magic".

You're told that you are free to listen from back here or head out to the front to watch the other groups. But you need to refrain from any noise, cheering, or distractions. The owner is very picky about that. A few minutes later Eddie joins you and Erick, listening intently to the acts ahead of your group. After the acts in front of you finish their sets, it's your turn.

You look out to the practice stage, guitar in hand, and feel your nerves starting to get to you.

Erick lets out a "LET'S DO THIS!" in his usual loud and excited manner. This seemed to be exactly what you neededt to hear because it immediately destroyed most of the apprehension you were feeling. It's not just you on this stage after all. You're surrounded by your best friends.

You smile, keeping your face forward away from Erick so that he wont see the effect he just had on you. But you get the feeling he knows it anyway. With your regained confidence you yell out, a little less loud than Erick and walk out onto the stage with your friends.

You look out at what would normally be the audience area below you and it's completely empty save for one of the employees wearing a T-shirt with the House logo. It seems the owner is away for a short break. You focus on making sure the tuning for your guitar is correct and afterwards you conduct your microphone tests. A couple minutes later you see a beautiful brunette woman stride towards the stage looking the three of you over.

" Derps? Lets hope your music isn't shitty or derpy too. Give me your best stuff, I hate to waste my time." She says arrogantly.

"We'll give you our best." You say to her though the microphone.

"I'll give her something..." Erick says with a snicker, and you remember that he is a man with desires. And with that you start. You look back at Eddie and give him a nod that you're ready to begin. He raises his hands way up and slams down on his drums. you and your bandmates tear into your firs song.

Once again you begin to experience that sweet euphoria that you always have when you perform. You're completely unaware of your surroundings and begin to picture yourself in front of a real audience ... naked. You close your eyes as tight as you can and begin to scream out a chorus with every fibre of your soul.

Your imaginary crowd is pushing against the barrier in front of the stage giving every ounce of your effort back right at you.

"Cheering fans hanging onto my every last word, this is what I want!" You think as you continue to imagine performing in this venue in front of a real live crowd, also naked. It feels wonderful to be doing this, even if your audience is just an owner and your crowd's imaginary.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" The owner says clapping her hands together loudly as if commanding you to stop. She takes a moment as if to think things over, and then begins to speak to you all.

"You're not a bad band, but as you are now I can't accept you on my stage." The owner says to you bluntly.

" You said we were good ... " You blurt out.

" I said you're not bad. I'll tell you how to improve. You the singer, what's your name girl?" She asks.

"Kelly." You say clearing your throat before answering.

"Kelly, your guitar skills are average at best and could use some work. But if you want to really make it in this industry, you need to play music that relies less on screaming and something that accentuates your vocals more. Just now you had to clear your throat before you spoke to me, I can't imagine the damage you're doing to your vocal chords." She says to you, sounding more concerned than critical.

"Rasp is a great tool for singers, but should be used sparingly and only when you've been more trained on how to use it safely. As for your music, I don't think punk really works for your band. You all have a darker more melancholy look. If you don't mind me suggesting I'd suggest a more gothic or synth rock type of sound where Kelly can show her vocal range. I'm not saying you can't come here and perform a punk act, but as long as your songs remain the type where Kelly is over here screaming into a microphone, I won't allow you to perform."

Before you get a chance to reply she waves you all off the stage and walks away. Quickly the stage hands begin clearing some of your equipment and readying the stage for the next group to audition. Backstage you and your bandmates gather your things in silence.

You can hear the band that went on after you, doing their tuning checks and readying themselves.

"I'm going to go get the van." Eddie says solemly. You nod to him before he exits the door.

While a bit brutal the owner did sound like she knew what she was talking about and was probably giving you some good advice. Back when you did choir your teachers did stress the importance of singing keeping a crisp clear sound.

" Adjust my sound and style ? " You wonder if it's another of Scarlet's hidden messages. At the moment you're not sure. But if you did you'd probably need to find someone who could work a synthesizer. That shouldn't be too difficult if you did want to go that route. This is New York afterall.

Eddie pokes his head back in the door and waves you and Erick to come over signaling the van parked in the alleyway. You and Erick grab your stuff and walk over.

Once you're done loading your equipment into the van you decide you'd like to take a walk to clear your head.

"Go on without me guys, I'll meet you back at the apartment." You say to your friends.

"Be careful on your way back then. See you soon" Erick says to you. They drive off leaving you in the alleyway. You grab your phone and text a sad emoji.

" Free hugs. " The pervert answers back, and sends his address. 15 minutes later you are knocking on his door, and when he opens it, you hug him. He hugs you back, and pulls you closer. He closes the door, without releasing you, and places his head on your hair.

" It's ok, Kelly. This world is hard. Tell me all." He says smelling your hair, while pulling you gently to the couch.

" I'm sorry ... it's getting late ... I need to rest. " You say understanding what your "magic" made this old man do.

" You're right, but you can't leave your uncle's house without a cup of tea. " He says showing you the table.

" Uncle ? " You ask surprised.

" My ... therapist uses that trick ... The neighbours talk a lot about ... young females visiting an old man. " He says jumping ahead a few steps on his plan, to try his luck.

" Oh ... I didn't ... My greeting at the door was ... excessive ? " You ask unsure what your "magic" did.

" There is no problem for a niece that moved to a new town to visit uncle Jim, Kelly. " He smiles kissing your head.

" You're ... my favourite uncle ... uncle Jim. " You say making him smile, and he offers you a cup of tea. For a moment you feel how strange is the salty taste, but the oriental spices overpower it fast.

" It's your sister's favourite. " He says surprising you, then you smile.

" The therapist ? " You ask drinking again the warm drink.

" Her name is Star, and she is a professional physiotherapist ... Your father, my brother was a little ... hippie. And she ... is following the same path." He says trying not to laugh, you giggle with him.

" I'm also hippie, uncle Jim. " You say feeling more relaxed. He smiles your cup is empty, and he removes it from your hand.

" It's getting late, Kelly. " He says not wanting to abuse his luck, but leaning closer for a las hug near the door.

" Thank you, uncle Jim. You ... recharged my battery." You say embracing him closer, and feeling his hands on your waist.

" Always available, Kelly. " He says pulling your closer, and moving his face away from your cheeks a little.

" Uncle Jim ... do you think I should change my style ? " You say, ignoring how close his lips are from the corner of your mouth.

" They told you that on the audition, Kelly ? For me you are perfect. But if you wish to go big on the stag, listen to the professionals. Tell uncle Jim all. "

" We have a more punk style, but she suggested that I should try some goth ... " You say giving him an idea.

" Goth ... I think you should try it. " He says, because it's always bad to go against a professional's suggestion.

" Really ? " You say looking him in the eyes, with your noses almost touching.

" Really. You have nothing to lose, and a lot to win. Try all once, Kelly." He says touching his nose on yours. making you giggle.

" That felt ... "

" Sorry, Kelly .. This is how your ... hippie sister says goodbye. " He says steeping back.

" Can we ... try again, before I go ? " You say stepping forward. He doesn't say nothing, you don't say nothing. Your noses touch once more, and you step back before your "magic" forces him do to something else.

" Safe travel, Kelly. " He says at the door, a little louder than expected, and not touching you.

" Thank you for the tea, uncle Jim. " You say lifting your hand in a cold way. The door in from of you is closed, the corridor is empty, but your "magic" detected the neighbours watching you both.

You return home, still inspired by the oriental tea, and decide to sit down and write some lyrics to one of Erick's song. You head to your room, remove all your clothes fast and grab your notebook where you've written all your lyrics. The pattern is obvious.

" Frustration and resentment ... that's the old me. " You think looking at a mirror of your past. It was almost therapeutic to express these feelings when you sang. " It's not a confession, but a cry for help. " You whisper understanding what your "magic" is showing.

" But this isn't me. I'm not rage, I don't hate the world ... I'm not punk. " You whisper feeling your inspiration rising.

" I'm Kelly ... I'm skate and surf. I like to go to a drinking party ... I got dumped by a girl ..but it's ok now because hooked up with her sister. " *You smile understanding that your new style doesn't need to be emotional deep.*You consider the intro and beat for the various verses and start to write, making notes as you go.

"It's finally ... Saturday night. / And we're gonna ... feel all right. / We're goin' ... dowtown, where we can ... go down, everbody ... partys tonight. / We're goinna tear up ... this town. / And then pass ... a bottle around. / Without a doubt, we'll turn it ... inside out, and everybody ... jumps and shouts...

" Not bad ... " You think to yourself forgetting the strong connection of the action of going down when sang by a female singer.

" Now the chorus ... " You begin to write ... WE'RE NOT CRAZY ... JUST LAZY ... WE'LL SHOUT AND DRINK ... MORE... You continue writing for another half hour.

" This was ... easy." You consider as you look over the lyrics, and wonder how powerful is your "magic" now.

"It's shallow, but it works." You think as you give the lyrics a final pass over, wondering it this is a direct answer to the critics on the audition. You decide to give this new song a try.

" I'll show it to them ... at the next band practice. " You whisper to your hands trying to not use too much "magic".