Part 4: A New Beginning

Kong Studios

Everyone was gathered up in the studio kitchen.

"So who is this 'Ess' person?" Murdoc asked. "Is she single?" Russel rolled his eyes at Murdoc's statement.

"Me and Noodle met her yesterday. She can play piano she said, seems pretty cool," Russel explained.

"I spilled her drink, and then we started talking," Noodle said, a wide grin on her face. Everyone snickered. Yammering a bit about how odd of a way to make a friend that was.

"So, 'D," Russel started, "We're gonna be needing one of your keyboards when we head over there, so we can see if she's any good. She's going through some stuff right now, don't really have much money... Maybe if we have her join in-" Murdoc screeched in suddenly.

"Join the band? Oh, I don't think so-"

"Well, it could be a good idea-" 2D suggested, before Murdoc scowled at him. 2D coward back into his seat.

"No," Murdoc said loudly to Russel.

"Man, things ain't always gonna be your call all the damn time," Russel towered over him. "If she's good, we give her a place to stay. She pays us back by contributing to the band."

"Are you crazy?" Murdoc contradicted once again. "You don't even know the girl. You can't just go around, inviting people to stay with us."

"It's not like I've ever done it before. I wouldn't if I didn't think the person were worth it. I think she'd fit in real good." Russel said, and he was sure of it. Spending over 6 hours in a deep conversation with someone could get you surprisingly far.

"We talked to her a lot yesterday," Noodle added. "She does not seem bad."

"Oh, that's what you think." Murdoc hissed.

"Fine, we'll just go on without yuh," Russel said, as the he, Noodle and 2D stood to leave. Murdoc grumbled

"Oi, fine," he at least said. "I'll go with you guys to see for me self."

Ess's Apartment

For most of the day, Ess continued to do that ritual where she glanced over at her phone to see if she would get a call back about her applications. Nothing. It was horribly frustrating. Now was to wait for Russel and Noodle's arrival. Right around 1P.M., there was a knock at the door. It was relieving. Ess despised having to be alone. It freaked her out. "Hello!" Ess said to Noodle, who walked in first. She was followed by Russel, then a strange green man who looked extremely impatient, and then—him. Freezing, she stared at him. Staring and those pitch-black eyes, the hairs on her neck slowly stood on end. He stared back at her vacantly.

"Ess?" Noodle said. Ess swallowed, ripping her eyes from the man. "You okay?" Noodle's deep concern was heart-warming.

"Oh, I'm fine," she slowly proceeded to the sofa, sitting by Noodle.

"This is Murdoc, also called Muds," Russel explained.

"Hello," Murdoc said flatly. He did not seem very welcoming. Ess didn't relish it. "And that there is 2D." Russel motioned to the blue-haired man.

"Hi!" He said brightly. Ess didn't look at him as he handed the keyboard to her.

"All right," Russel started breezily. "Show us what you got."

"O-okay," Ess stammered. She could feel everyone's eyes glued to her—his eyes glued on her. Trying to block it out, she recalled a tune from Fischerspooner called "Ritz 107", and began playing it with ease. Everyone began smiling as she played, nodding to each other. Murdoc looked somewhat astonished.

"All right, all right," Murdoc said abruptly. Every one was now looking at him. Ess halted her playing. "Fine, go on," he flapped his grubby hands, indicating something. Ess looked confused.

"Ess!" Noodle beamed. "Would like to stay at the Kong?"

"The... what?" Ess rose an eyebrow.

"It's where we live," Murdoc said, very matter-of-fact-ly. Ess could tell he was going to be an annoying one.

"So, you're saying I can live with you guys...?" Ess was confounded still. Were they really going to allow her to live with them? It all seemed to happen so quickly. Although, she recalled what a good connection she had to Russel and Noodle. She imagined she wouldn't mind it. The only things she'd truly need some time get used to were the other two.

"Yeah!" Russel remarked. "The only price you gotta pay is contributing to the band." Ess blinked a bit, pondering it.

"Will there be room for me?" In Ess's ears, it seemed like a stupid question. Of course there was room for her.

"Plenty!" 2D said proudly. Ess drew her eyes away from him. 2D couldn't help but wonder about this woman. Why she refused to look at him. It didn't phase him much at in the beginning, but now it dawned on him. Usually any woman his age couldn't keep their eyes off of him. This was incredibly different.

"Well," Ess stated, standing up. "I suppose I should go pack my things. Shouldn't take long," she meant it, too. Ess really didn't have much of anything.