Guitars and Violins II Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Problems Arise
(Disclaimer! I own nothing of Korra!)
Korra and her friends made it to their favorite spot where they would be playing.
"We finally made it," said Korra.
"Its finally ready!" Said Tahno, "We're gonna rock their socks off with our awesome sound."
Bolin was clacking his drumsticks.
Marcus was looking at some paperwork walking by.
"So much to do, so much going on with this place," he said.
"Hey guys!" Said Zoe, "We're excited to see you guys jam."
"Hey Marcus, that thing that happened with the beer fight…." Korra started.
"All water under the bridge," said Marcus, "Maybe those guys will be a bit wiser for the wear, but don't worry about it."
"What should we do until the show Marcus?" Asked Varrick, "Any papers we have to sign or what?"
"Oh yes well…. I hope to see you here," said Marcus, "Pardon me for not showing you around, there's a map inside I'm sure you can read it out."
As he left, Korra and the gang went inside.
"Just look at this fucking stage!" Said Tahno.
"Its amazing," said Opal, "The entire area is a lightshow spectacular."
They were all looking at the schedule.
"That's odd," said Opal, "Your band isn't on there."
"What happened?" Asked Korra, "Was there a mess up?"
"I don't know Korra….. but I'm gonna find out," said Varrick.
He went to the room where Marcus was and Korra followed.
He was filling out some paper work.
"Pardon me," said Varrick trying to get his attention.
"I am incredibly busy sir," said Marcus bluntly ignoring them.
"I know and I won't take much of your time, I just had a concern about the schedule," said Varrick, "The schedule for the concert tonight, we noticed that The Tone Benders aren't in the set. I just wanted to ask when they're playing."
"They're not," Marcus said still ignoring him.
"Why not?" Asked Varrick.
"Because they violated the contract rules," said Marcus smoking his cigar.
"What contract rules?" Asked Korra, "We didn't see any contract rules did we guys?"
Marcus threw his bottle of beer at the wall.
"Wrong toots, wrong!" He said frustratedly.
Everybody was surprised in his change of tone.
"Under section 39-a of the contract which all of you signed, it states quite clearly that all performances shall become null and void IF, and you can read it for yourselves in this photostatic copy," said Marcus beginning to read, "'I the undersigned do hereby forfeit all rights to perform with said band herin, and herin, contained et cetera et cetera, fax mentis incendium gloria culture et cetera et cetera, memo bis punitor delicatum!"
He slammed the contract down still angry.
"Its all there, written in black ink, and CLEAR AS FUCKING CRYSTAL!" He shouted pointing at Korra and Asami, "You allowed lesbians to perform with us, and to make matters worse…."
He opened the door pointing at Mako.
"You allowed your bassist to sleep with our vocalist, a bassist from Japan no less!" Marcus said, "Now there's rumors going on about them dating! By committing these acts you violated your contract, so you will not be performing here tonight. You lose, good day sir!"
He went back to his work.
Varrick was indeed shocked.
"You're a cheat… you're a tycoon and a scoundrel!" He said, "THAT'S what you are! How can you do a thing like this, build up a group of young musicians hopes and smash all their dreams to pieces? You're an inhuman TYRANT….."
"I SAID GOOD FUCKING DAY!" Marcus shouted.
"C'mon guys," said Korra, "Let's get out of here."
"I'll get even with that son of a bitch if its the last thing I do," said Varrick, "If Cass wants a nirvana tribute band, she'll get one."
Zoe was listening to the whole thing and called a number.
"Hey, its us," said Zoe, "We've got a bit of a problem."
Korra and the gang were eating at a bar.
"I can't believe this," said Mako, "We don't get to play at the performance because of that guy being an asshole."
"What I wanna know is where in the contract it says that lesbians can't play with the band?" Asked Bolin, "What's that guy's problem with us?"
Varrick was busy calling his friend about the upcoming Nirvana Tribute concert.
"He's real hell bent on getting back at Marcus," said Opal.
"Hey Z," said Mako, "What's shaking?"
"Guys, good news, you can play tonight!" Said Zoe.
"Yes," said Zoe, "But….. on one condition."
Later, Korra was looking at Marcus.
The two of them were trying to outdo themselves at the guitar battle.
Marcus was looking to the crowd thinking that he won.
Korra however had a trick up her sleeve.
"Wait til you hear this."
"Come again?" Asked Asami.
"Well, Marcus thinks you have talent, and he even told us so," Zoe repeated herself, "He doesn't wanna say it out loud though because it might destroy his image."
"Then why is he so uptight about her relationship with Asami?" Bolin asked.
"Well to answer that question, its because his old girlfriend cheated on him, and dumped him for a woman."
"Bambi all over again," Tahno said.
"So he wants to have a guitar duel with me?"
"And if we win, we get to stay on the tour."
Korra thought for a moment.
Asami kissed Korra's cheek.
Opal groped Korra's breasts.
Korra tuned her guitar and went to MArcus' room.
"So did you give my offer some thought?"
"I'll do it," Korra said.
"Get ready to meet your maker."
The two of them went to the main stage of the Axis Nightclub.
Marcus grabbed his guitar and plugged up.
"I think its time I gave you a taste of what I'm made of."
"Oh I didn't realize it was my turn, I thought that was just you tuning up."
Korra countered with a bluesy riff.
"Ok so you can walk, but can you run?"
He played a punk rock riff.
"Sure, but I prefer to fly."
Korra played a solo using her thumb as a pick.
"Just like Jeff Beck…." Blake said.
"She's good," Shelly said.
Marcus countered with a heavy metal solo followed by a dive bomb.
Korra retaliated by playing guitar with her teeth.
Marcus played a lick and Korra copied it in her own style.
The two of them kept going at each other with different licks and riffs trying to outdo each other.
"We gotta get in on this," Blake said.
The band joined in doing a blues shuffle.
Marcus did his thing and then Korra did her own.
Marcus played the guitar behind his back.
Korra did some slide guitar riffs.
Varrick was watching Korra bust the moves.
"You show that dickhole who's boss," he said.
Zhu Li called him on the phone.
Marcus did a trick using a delay pedal.
Korra did the same using reverse delay.
Marcus then did something similar to Pat Metheny and then Frank Gambale.
He then turned around believing he won.
Korra then started a new lick.
She then played something that was similar to Paganini's Caprice no. 5.
She then played another Paganini riff.
She merged a few Paganini riffs together to create one incredible guitar solo and then finished it.
The audience clapped for her.
Marcus attempted to play the same thing but kept messing up on a few parts.
He then put his guitar down.
"You're a fucking legend," he said smiling, "You get the first set tonight."
Korra's band cheered and chanted her name.
Tahno took the microphone.
"Ok tell you what, its time you all joined me," he said, "Everybody is gonna keep yourself alive!"
Korra started playing a riff.
Tahno took the first half of the microphone off.
The band started to join in.
Marcus found himself clapping along with everyone else.
Keep Yourself Alive by Queen
Tahno: I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors
Now they say your folks are telling you
But I tell you just be satisfied
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: It'll take you all your time and a money
Well I've loved a million women
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
Well I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: It'll take you all your time and a money
Bolin did a drum solo while Opal recorded it.
Zoe was watching Mako play the whole time.
"This guy is amazing with his bass playing! GO MAKO!"
Someone was watching them and had her eye on Tahno.
Korra stepped on her tone bender and played one of her signature guitar solos.
She then walked out to the stage using a wireless.
"I knew the wireless would do the trick," Asami said.
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: It'll take you all your time and a money
Mako: Do you think you're better every day
Tahno: No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: You take your time and take more money
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: All you people keep yourself alive
Korra and Asmai: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: It'll take you all your time and a money
Korra and Asami: Keep yourself alive
Tahno: All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
The band finished and the audience cheered.
"Looks like we're back in business," Korra said.