March 19.

  -In a private inium in New York, a sprawling mansion on at least ten acres featured a vast yard rge enough to aodate 1,000 people. The ft expanse was dotted with a white tent, funting a stage, while flowers adorhe spacious southern wing of the mansion. The event was simple; spring erfect time for such gatherings, but the heaters at the exit ensured a fortable climate for the afternoon and the occasion.

  -"There are many people you 't afford to offend. You're the ter of attention here, so be careful with your words and as. Don’t make any itments—we have a cert in Engnd in seven days, so your schedule is packed until summer. That should be your answer," advised Michael Oclkars.

  -"You all o be cautious, especially sidering everything that's happened," Michael reiterated to the band, who were about to perform at a private cert. Though the payment was enormous, they were bound by a fidentiality agreement regarding everything at the party, including the restricted guest list. Readiions had bee a learned skill; the stant use of their owions gave them insight into how others reacted, as if a cloud of feelings enveloped people. Disfort reflected in anger, ay, and, of course, the disdainful gres from the uests were clear indicators.

  -"I don’t think the atmosphere is great," Billy observed, warning his band. He only o sit and sing—his voice was good enough without needing to project his emotions onto others. However, he khat if eled correctly, anger could turn into frustration, and narrowing someone down to a moral judgment could result in a broad repertoire of songs. But not every song is perfect for every moment.

  He needed something that would make people feel disfort when they heard it. The more he learo harness his emotions and captivate the audiehe more addicted they would bee to him. Primal feelings could be maniputed in anyone, eveive ones.

  -"I think y a few irreverent songs," Billy said. "But let’s start with one of my favorites, something that will stir their emotions. After all, it’s a party, and we’re only going to sing our songs. I know Hard music will be unpleasant for these old folks. Spencer, I sent you a track retly—have you worked on it?"

  Spencer grinned. "We’ve got it," he said, pg a hand on or’s shoulder.

  Jack Saud Sugar Egg nodded in agreement, knowing what Billy was about to do. He was ready to turn a wake into a riot, with his name eg through the chaos, as he bowed his head, ready to spit on the cake.

  Crazy. (gnarl crazy).

  ??? ???

  I remember whenI remember I remember when I lost my mindThere was something so pleasant about that pceEven your emotions have an echo in so much space

  And when you're out there without careYeah, I was out of touchBut it wasn't because I didn't know enoughI just koo much

  Does that make me crazy?Does that make me crazy?Does that make me crazy?Possibly

  ??? ???

  -Death, the fear of death—this was the cept that began to take root in the song, with the hands of death pced in an untrolble situation. It’s when people lose trol that their calm facade, the unreadable poker face, loses its meaning, aions emerge like a swirling ball of color.

  Some shifted unfortably in their seats; the song was good, but the intense focus of such a silent audience, save for a few at the table—mostly younger, poraries of Billy—e. However, the ominous pressure geed by Billy as he radiated darkness, teetering on the brink of madness before death, caused disfort among the crowd. It was at this moment, as appearances crumbled, that Billy smiled at the audience.

  He felt like a shinigami, foretelling their fate.

  ??? ???

  And I hope that you are having the time of your lifeBut think twice, that's my only advie on now, who do you, who do you, who do youWho do you think you areHa ha ha, bless your soulYou really think you're in trol

  I think you're crazyI think you're crazyI think you're crazyJust like me

  ??? ???

  ...

  The song didn’t have much tent, and the chorus repeated, but it allowed Billy to fully extend his vocal abilities. Though Billy didn’t know, this table had hosted the likes of Madonna, Michael Ja, and Bob Dyn… others too. It was an honor for him to be part of a gathering with such deep uones. Billy didn’t o dance—he was as close to Bob Dyn as one could get, but with an iy and endless practice that allowed him to transform any window into paradise, any window into an abyss. By delving into a profound theme, and toug the souls of those who listened, he earned a space to subvert all who were present.

  Just ohiend his emotions! Perpetually.

  ….

  ??? ???

  My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on the limbAnd all I remember is thinking I want to be like them

  Ever since I was littleEver since I was little it looked like funAnd it's no ce I've eAnd I die when I'm done

  But maybe I'm crazyMaybe you're crazyMaybe we're crazyProbably

  ??? ???

  …

  -As the song ehe eyes fixed on him gave him a deeper gaze—this was the look he deserved. And now, he would make them refled drink. He noticed a few gsses oables; his work was done, but it was only the beginning. Now, he needed a depth that only "Like a Stone" by Audiosve could provide.

  And so he did, his gritty, powerful voice resonating, admitting to many that it wasn’t his fault—he was just an artist eling his emotions through a small speaker, and the power of his voice began to move the crowd. The younger oarted nodding their heads, while the uests couldn’t help but tap their legs and shoulders. It was something natural, a primal response ingrained over millions of years—dang before the fire, passed down through geions. The monkey daook hold, and they lost themselves in the power of it all.

  Billy’s smile as he watched the audience was one of satisfa, as images of moments of happiness washed over him—the o crashing against the beaches of Los A su, overwhelming those present, and the lingering sound of a guitar.

  The st of salt, followed by the wind, followed by nostalgia… he closed his eyes when he saw some of the quieter ones g—they are always the ones who cry. He tinued with "Show Me How to Live" by Audiosve, perfect for drawing everyone’s attention as night fell, this time over a thousand-story building, a vertigo of emotions.

  An hour and a half ter, everyone had been baptized by the star—this is eople called his certs. Now, having fans with deep pockets was just a bonus—more tickets, more publicity.

  With the green light, the stage lights dimmed for three minutes, while a Beethoven piece pyed over the speakers. Billy now donned a full suit, plete with a hat.

  -“We were asked t something special, and well, we have our own siill in the works. We only perform it ahead of time, so Patrice, I hope you love it.”

  Billy tipped his hat.

  "Feeling Good," new (Michael Bublé).

  Billy’s voice reverberated like a saxophone, powerful, and his dance gestures were the image he wao create—a vision of madness. He imprinted a primal desire for sex in Patrice’s mind, a primitive longing.

  …

  ??? ???

  Birds flying highYou know how I feelSun in the skyYou know how I feelBreeze driftin' on byYou know how I feel

  It's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new lifeFor meAnd I'm feeling good

  ??? ???

  ...

  He moved his hips to a Jazz beat—it was like an explosion of the sehe scream that escaped from Patrice itiful, indecorous, unaced. Some women clutched their hearts, g out and causing startled men to g their panions. Billy’s dance blihe women, their screams fueling more emotions until the swaying rhythm drove them mad. Blinded by this new way of seeing, the simplicity of the songs was lost iensity, his voice seemingly desigo evoke a relentless sensation.

  He was like a star, shining a light that overwhelmed the women's posure, who cried out in aheir emotions spiraling out of trol as Billy, holding his hat, moved his hips, his chest thrusting forward and back, igniting a frenzy.

  …

  ??? ???

  I'm feeling good

  Fish in the seaYou know how I feelRiver running freeYou know how I feelBlossom on a treeYou know how I feel

  It's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new lifeFor meAnd I'm feeling good

  Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don't you knowButterflies all havin' fun, you know what I meanSleep in peace when day is dohat's what I meanAnd this old world is a new worldAnd a bold worldFor meFor me

  ??? ???

  ...

  No one could believe it. Could this be possible? Jerry watched everything from a er of the stage. Billy’s performance was as erotic as a film, a strike of madness, a shattering into ten thousand pieces.

  -Billy, what have you done? - Jerry wondered.

  None of this could be elevated, Billy's power was like a shield, a different era—freedom was now more relevant, and people were freer to choose their path, but the way he sang… Jerry had to make notes for future performahe spid fvor of his words could be sidered a blow to those who didn’t uand the music.

  For others in the musidustry, it was a call to something brilliant, history in the makiions, feelings, and transdence began te a bond, driving a nail deep into the hearts of those in the room, and even making Patrice fall in love. It was strange how something so on could be so eversting.

  …

  ??? ???

  Stars when you shineYou know how I feelSt of the pineYou know how I feelOh, freedom is mineAnd I know how I feel

  It's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new life

  ??? ???

  Caught in Billy's scheme.

  ??? ???

  It's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new lifeIt's a new dawnIt's a new dayIt's a new lifeIt's a new lifeFor me

  And I'm feeling goodI'm feeling goodI feel so goodI feel so good

  ??? ???

  ...

  Billy’s iy remained on stage, though his words were no longer spoken. Billy was a t figure of power, looming over everyone. As he looked around, his mere presence caused the woman to breathe heavily. Patrice, who bore the full iy, was pletely flushed, her eyes unfocused. Anyone seeing her would think she’d had an asm—not far from the truth. When people listen to musiine is released, creating feelings of well-being, pleasure, and responsibility, followed by a bance of serotonin, not far from oxyto. A siouch could send a woman to paradise; a siouch brought Patrice to the best asm of her life.

  -Thank you all for listening, - Billy said in a hoarse voice after two hours of singing. The young star was tired, having been on tour.

  ...