Sparks and Rockin returned to their dressing room. "What were you thinking?!" Rockin asked, angry at his friend. Sparks lowered his head apologetically "Sorry… I saw my dad in the crowd and… it simply struck me." That wasn't the answer Rockin expected; he blinked a few times before answering. "Okay… but that doesn't change anything. What are we supposed to do when we get home? Dance and tell jokes? Hold a private concert?" Sparks raised his hoof to stop his rant. "You know… a private concert doesn't sound bad."
Rockin frowned but went silent for a minute. He was still angry but he managed to cool off a bit so he was able to think clearer. He remembered how easy it was for both of them to perform in a recording both; they had the lyrics in front of them the whole time, they could take a break and retry whenever they messed up. But this was live performance, another thing completely, they couldn't just stop mid-song and try again, they had to go on and entertain the ponies that came to hear them.
"Well… it's not entirely your fault. I mean, the crowd was pretty clear when they started with "We want more!" chant. It was either that or "Run Colt Run" " He finally said, smile barely visible on his exhausted snout, Sparks laughed weakly before dropping on the nearby sofa.
After an hour of rest the two stallions left their dressing room. They were scheduled to meet Big Note, the owner of "Shining Star" club and one of the ponies they had to thank for making the concert possible. "Shining Star" was one of the biggest clubs in Manehatten and it was considered the birthplace of many music stars, so nopony was surprised to see talent scouts approaching and having interviews with the performers. Sparks and Rockin looked around as they approached the bar. Each wall had a poster or a singed picture of well known bands or singers; the dim lights slowly turned on and off while the older looking mare sang about the moon's river. It was a slow, soothing song, a perfect song for couples that danced to it.
"Oh look, they have a smaller stage in here. Kinda wish we performed here." Rockin commented while passing. Sparks nodded in agreement, this seemed easier then the big concert in the park. The stage had a spherical shape and its dark red color gave him a felling that this stage was meant for those singers that proved themselves worthy; those whose concerts were always sold out.
"Yeah, but then we cou…uh!" Sparks reply was cut short when he bumped into somepony. "Watch it!" said the light yellow unicorn while Sparks got up from the ground. He couldn't see the mare's face because her indigo and pink mane but the violin key on her flank and the spiked necklace indicated that she was a musician; a very angry sounding musician.
Sparks quickly lowered his head in apology and moved out of her way. The mare went towards the exit but one of the bouncers stopped her. Neither Sparks nor Rockin could hear what was said but when the mare's horn started glowing they decided to move away.
"Her interview probably didn't end well." Rockin mentioned when they approached the bar. Sparks nodded in agreement while looking thru the menu. "What'll it be, gentlecolts?" asked the white unicorn whose mane was cut short to the point that he seemed bald. Sparks and Rockin were stunned by the bartender's appearance, Knife Punk told them that some singers shaved their manes to keep cool during a concert but this was the first time they saw somepony that actually did it.
"An apple juice for him and a grape shake for me, please." Rockin asked. Barkeep nodded in acknowledgment and served their drinks. "Cheers boys. And let's hope your next concert is successful as this one." Barkeep said as he raised a bottle filled with a brown, bubbly liquid. "You were at the concert?" Sparks asked happily; Barkeep smiled and nodded without parting with his drink. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." he finally said; Sparks and Rockin low-hoofed each other before replying "Glad you liked it."
"We all loved it." said a familiar voice behind them. Sparks turned and nearly got knocked out by a pair of blue fillies. "Big bro! Play, play!" the younger one with messy black and brown mane chanted as he flew around Sparks hooves. "Calm down Drum, Spark's tired from his job. You can play later." said the older one with brown and purple mane. "Drum, Melody… how?" Rockin was surprised as much as Sparks when his siblings showed up; but he was able to joke about it. "Your first fans are here." he teased.
"Second but definitely his youngest fans. But I digress, good job boys. You even made Big cry at the end." Knife said happily. Sparks smiled widely when he saw his father. Rockin smirked "So… our music melted the ice cold heart of a producer. And they say only unicorns can make miracles." Knife seemed baffled by the statement but then his shock turned into a very big grin. "Um… what's so funny dad?" Sparks asked while looking around. Except his family and the Barkeep nopony paid any attention to him and Rockin.
"Here's a word of advice kids, never insult the pony you intend to work for." Barkeep said calmly. Rockin froze in place, Sparks watched in shock and Knife laughed as he pointed at the barkeep. "Sparks, Rockin meet Big Note, my old friend and manager."