The Corruptor recruits a live performer

The Corruptor turned his attention to the rest of the room. He had hit his main targets and the rest were circumstantial guests, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have any irons in the fire. He had been dealing with a few more invitees before the party, getting them to consider projects he had put together.

In fact, he spotted one of these irons admiring his art pieces. It was Hailee Steinfeld, an accomplished singer and actor whom he had been in contact with to work on her next music video. She turned to catch his gaze and smiled upon recognizing him.

“Hailee!” The Corruptor greeted his latest prospect, approaching her for a friendly hug. “How’s the new album coming along?”

“Oh, it’s been going great ever since you suggested I change direction for the theme,” Hailee replied, hugging back. She pulled away, fixed her long brown hair and grinned widely. “Who knew I had so much pent up material just waiting to spill out?!”

“Ah, sexual freedom is an often untapped well,“ The Corruptor noted. “But when the right artist uses it for inspiration, it can be transformative! I’ve listened to your latest track, ‘Loving myself’ and it sent chills!”

“Oh, you don’t think the title is a little too derivative?” she wondered out loud.

“We can workshop it, if you’re worried. It doesn’t really have anything to do with your other song anyways. This one has a very different vibe,” The Corruptor pointed out. “What matters is the substance. You’ve hit a nerve with your lyrics that I bet would get anyone listening to it into a whole new mood!”

“Aww, thanks! It’s kind of embarrassing to think of anyone else listening to this track though,” Hailee admitted. “It’s so raw, I’m afraid the media would be all over it. I mean, if I get slammed by the conservative demo, it could derail my career.”

The Corruptor knew that he could protect her from such backlash with his powers, but letting her know that took away some of the depravity from what she was doing. It was a mature and explicit melody that was not for public consumption, but with him backing it, it could easily chart in the top ten. Of course, in order to accomplish this, he needed the singer to agree to release it.

“You know, sometimes an artist needs to take the bold step to make a stand about what she believes in,” The Corruptor told her. “Isn’t that what being an artist is all about? Presenting harsh truths to the world whether it likes it or not?” She appeared to take the advice to heart and nodded back with resolve.

“When you put it that way, it would be selfish of me not to put it out there…” she agreed.

“Well then, are you ready to perform it for my guests?” The Corruptor asked.

“Perform? You mean like the way you suggested for the music video?” she asked, hesitantly.

“You told me that it was a fantasy of yours,” The Corruptor reminded her.

“Well, yeah… but shouldn’t fantasies stay fantasies? I mean, if I do it in front of everyone here, oh my God… I don’t know…”

The Corruptor could sense the trepidation. This was a well established starlet that he was asking to perform a potentially career destroying display for his party guests. She was a bonafide celebrity with nothing really to gain from it, but that was what made his corruption all the more worthwhile. He tapped into his powers and played up her vanity and need for adulation.

“Hailee, this is your vision that I’m trying to bring to life, which means bringing your fantasy to life. It’s not going to come across unless you show it the way you’ve seen it in your head,” The Corruptor explained. Hailee appeared to understand but was still hesitant. “You worry about all the negative responses you could get from doing this song, but you’re an artist, shouldn’t you be more focused on the message you are trying to convey? You have a story to tell and no one has the same voice and passion that you have to tell this story!”

Hailee nodded slowly, feeling her confidence grow after hearing the man’s words. She agreed that she wanted to share her message. She felt it was important enough to perform it the way Mario had suggested. Actually, Mario had only suggested she play out her fantasy, which was something she had developed on her own, so this would be her performance as much as it was her song. She turned to the Corruptor with a new sense of self assurance. “You’re right. I’ll do it!” she told him.

“Ah wonderful!” the Corruptor cheered. “This will be the perfect setting for the video!”

“Wait, you want to shoot the music video right here? Tonight?” Hailee gasped. She was not ready for this. “We don’t have makeup or DPs or sound guys or anything!”

“What we’ll have is a real moment captured on video. I want it to be candid and live! We don’t need all that set up for this,” The Corruptor explained. “Also, this will only be a portion of the video. It will be interspersed with other scenes, but I feel like this would be the perfect framework to shoot the video around. An intimate evening party with you serenading the guests up close and personal… Is this not like the way you described your vision?”

“Well… That’s true… but,” she looked around, spotting celeb after celeb, “There are a lot of famous people here! Are you sure they’re OK being a part of my video?”

“Already taken care of,” The Corruptor assured her. “You all signed a release before attending. That agreement allows me to use footage of everyone taken in my mansion for video purposes. My security cameras can double as video cameras and, I know what you’re thinking, we will let everyone review the video and give their blessing before we release it.”

Hailee exhaled softly. She was concerned about all the legal ramifications of recording all the celebrities, but if Mario had taken care of everything, there was really nothing to worry about.

“I feel like you have a real jewel here that you are about to share!” The Corruptor encouraged. “I’ll have the DJ play your backtrack and I’ll set up introductions” He hugged her again before setting off to do some stage prep.