The song chosen by Nike was among many curious ohat Jerry was surprised to see selected. Whether from a video or in some other form, he couldn't find a way to view it as a fitting representation. Still, he remained silent and used it as a starting point. Seen from a dim perspective, he uood that the choice had likely been made many times by different people, and that’s how it eventually reached them in the best possible way.

  -It’s a very good song... we believe it could work for some sports advertising campaigns, but we haven’t received a response regarding the lising rights,- remarked Dan Widdeer known as the director of the program and the man overseeing Nike’s ad campaigns. The old grouch, as Billy referred to him.

  Wieden+Kennedy, a renowned pany known exclusively for major ercials, had colborated with Nike numerous times, particurly in the special campaigns they’d doh footballers. Now, it seemed a rge marketing campaign for a ype of football pyer would be added to the mix.

  - you ask Billy?- Trevor Edwards ented. He usually spoke with campaign members, discussing the young man’s involvement. The boy was rebellious, but when it came t with people, he didn’t sweat the small stuff like other majures might. From food to treatment or demands, he was an outstanding worker, a model in that sense.

  -We do that,- David Kennedy whispered to Dan Wieden, seeing that things could go in a positive dire.

  The song they were requesting was her than "Hall of Fame" by The Script. Uhe inal, the rhythm was refined with more instrumental elements, and the vocals, though polished, were somewhat overshadowed by the instrumentals. It offered a song that captivated with its simplicity and implicit message, catchy and designed for an iient.

  -Though there's a slight hitch: Warner has treated the song like ae product, and we have to meet three things—quality, timing, and marketing. If we don’t meet those standards, we might be sent pag by the kid’s wyers,- Trevor Edwards noted.

  ***

  or ounding the drums with all his might, releasing his emotions. The csh of cymbals gave rhythm to his pying. Spencer, who had once lived in his grandmother’s house, bought the pext door and tur into a soundproof studio. It was there that or, now 18—his birthday had been st November—used to practice. His family had stopped b him about money, and he lived peacefully within the walls of music. He attended music csses at a small uy, where he was known, though not the ter of attention. He was just the sed drummer, reized only by the die-hard fans.

  To or, life meant many things. It was a total detat, a tough blow, and a fall in all its splendor. He devoted himself to music with bravery—it was his life.

  -Do you wao take you to css?- Spencer asked.

  or nodded silently, as he often did. He was a quiet young man. Therapy helped, but his way of handling things was what made him stand apart from ventional norms.

  -Billy sent over some racks retly. That kid, though it doesn’t seem like it, works harder than anyone,- Spencer ented.

  The silence remained, but Spencer didn’t mind. He khe quiet boy, a sweet young man who avoided causing a stir. Always calm and passive in his demeanor, that was just the way he was, and Spencer liked him, even though it tugged at his heart.

  -I retly donated some instruments to aary school. I was w if you'd be ied in doing a tour and a friendly sing-along for those kids,- Spencer added.

  -Sure… ask Billy, he’ll do it,- or replied. He knew Billy better than most.

  Speried to answer, but for both of them, it was a straopic. Billy was Billy, and figuring out his thoughts was so plex and stressful that Spencer preferred to let it slide. Now that Billy was based in London, Spencer doubted the response he’d get would be the right one.

  -It’s a small event; I could give him a call… knowing him, though, he might want to tour all the public schools in the try. He’s simply uable sometimes, beyond my uanding- Spencer mused.

  Once again, they fell into silence. or's uy ublie, one of the few that didn’t demand high grades. You just o pay to get in. It was one of California’s more basistitutions, but or was tent. Spencer, who had atteop-tier music seminars, taught him the rest, and his name would help et into more advanced drum practice seminars.

  It was enough for him to be sidered a qualified music teacher. He’d learo py everything from jazz, rock, and pop to marg band music, cssical positions, and more cordial restaurant tunes.

  -Good m, Spencer. I’ll be back tonight,- or said with his usual tired tone, showing little enthusiasm for what y ahead. As he turned dowreet, he felt an intense gaze, but no one was there. Shaking his head, he entered his regur study routine.

  or’s family was somewhat estrahey believed it was his duty to support them and even pay off their gamblis, something he had vehemently refused. Instead, he had set up a trust that would haheir payments once he turned 18, just as Billy had done.

  Entering the hall, or sat down, arranged his pens, and began listening to the first lecture of the day: Introdu to Music, with a focus o musid position.

  ***

  Billy tinued overseeing the filming pns for the vacuum tunnel, intended for a three-minute ercial. They needed 30 minutes of camera work to craft an ad that Billy was eager to see pleted, hoping to push the director hard. But he shook his head once he arrived o.

  -I hate this crap,- Billy ented.

  -It was your idea,- Jerry replied.

  -Well, don’t let me do so much stupid stuff,- Billy shot back.

  Jerry shook his head but sighed. If only he were younger and had the ake those same mistakes. If only he could extend his life by another 20 years in good health. But that was an illusion—he was nearing his 90s.

  -My son has much to learn, but he’ll grow with you. I’ve taught him a lot, but only experience will give him the uanding he needs. There are things you must learn as well, or else you’ll fall into the same vicious circle. I’ve seen many good artists fall into all sorts of traps,- Jerry said.

  -Like Ahmet?- Billy asked softly, almost whispering, a name no one should overhear.

  -Worse, kid. Ahmet just loves money but keeps his hands . When I talk about evil, I mean pure, hard evil. You o be strong. The sensitive and weak don’t survive in this world. When your mother died, that was your first trial by fire. There are people I despise, whom I hate with all my heart. Stick with my circle, but don’t trust them. The devil isn’t dangerous just because he’s evil; he’s dangerous because he’s old. Be careful with those twisted old men who e near you, - Jerry warned.

  ...