Music Lessons

Part 3

Brit Rox

By Nick Maro

Finally smiling Pizzazz shook the man's hand after a brief moment. "I'm sorry, Mr. Raymond. Please come in. It's just the shock of hearing that my father had an executor to his estate. It never quite crossed my mind." She led him to a closed office door. "We can talk in privacy here. Jerrica won't mind. Could I get you anything to drink?"

"No. No thank you, Ms. Gabor." Eric sat in the chair in front of the desk. Pizzazz leaned against the desk lip. Eric opened his briefcase and handed her a clipboard with some papers on it. "Actually, I'd like to see Jerrica and Kimber Benton after I'm through here. Emmett Benton and your father both had the same lawyer. Unfortunately he retired last year and I was put in charge of a handful of his old clients. So please just have a bit of patience with me."

Pizzazz let out a small laugh as she scanned the papers on the clipboard. "Not a problem. Call me either Phyllis or Pizzazz. I'm not one for formalities." She studied the papers more closely. "So this is for my inheritance? How strange. I always figured I'd already spent it all." She smirked and signed where the paper was marked.

Eric pulled out two more clipboards. "Yes it is. Don't ask me what it is because I don't know. That was one of the stipulations in the will. You won't find out until tomorrow afternoon. The same goes for your adoptive sisters." He took the clipboard from Pizzazz and looked it over. "Excellent. Come to the McGrath Building tomorrow at noon. Everything will be revealed then. Now if you could take me to Jerrica Benton. That would be greatly appreciated."

"Oh sure thing." Pizzazz led Eric out of the office and into the kitchen. "I'll be right back." Eric nodded and Pizzazz went to the living room peeking her head around the corner. "Hey Kimber, where's Jerrica at? There a guy here that needs to see you and her both."

Kimber gave Pizzazz a confused look. "She should be out back with Rio and Shana. Why? What's up?" She got off the couch and Stormer started to follow. She stopped she saw Pizzazz's face that said it was private. Stormer sat back down. Kimber began to look concerned. "C'mon Pizzazz, tell me what's going on here."

Pizzazz just smiled and walked at a brisk pace towards the kitchen and the backdoor. She turned her head she walked and spoke to Eric, who was sitting at the kitchen table. "Mr. Raymond, this is Kimber Benton. Jerrica is out back." She slid the backdoor open and spotted her adopted sister by the garage. She jogged up to Jerrica and tapped her shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt but there's someone inside who wants to see you privately, Jerrica."

Nodding absently then giving Pizzazz a confused look, Jerrica followed Pizzazz inside the house. Rio and Shana started to follow but stopped. Jerrica saw Kimber looking over some papers at the table. A man in his mid-twenties sat across from her waiting patiently. Jerrica cleared her throat. Eric turned his head and gave a polite smile, she returned it. "You wished to speak to me?"

"Yes. Jerrica Benton?" Eric smiled again when she nodded. "I'm Eric Raymond. Please call me Eric. Formality isn't my strong suit I'm afraid." He slid his tie down a bit and then handed Jerrica a few papers. "I'm the executor of your father's estate. Ms. Gabor's father and yours had the same lawyer. He retired last year and I was given the job. All I'm here to do is have you sign a few papers. It's the only real formality I still adhere to."

Jerrica gave Pizzazz a confused look before signing anything. Pizzazz just nodded. "I didn't even know my father had a lawyer. These papers say that it's for our inheritance. Just what exactly are we getting, Eric?"

Eric shrugged. "I don't have a clue. The papers just say that you accept your inheritance without question. It's how your fathers wanted it. From what I understand they were constantly being mysterious."

Signing where it was indicated, Jerrica smirked in thought of her father. "Yes, my father was always trying to surprise us. I guess this is his last surprise to us all." She gave Eric the papers back. Kimber followed her older sister's example. "So is that all?"

"No. Show up at the McGrath Building at noon tomorrow. Your inheritance will be revealed there." Eric filed the papers with Pizzazz's. He stood and began to walk towards the front door and stopped. He turned with another polite smile. "One more thing, happy birthday to you both if I don't see you tomorrow." Jerrica and Pizzazz stood looking curious and excited as they nodded their thanks.

Pacing back and forth in the small home office, Pizzazz chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. She was trying to get the words she wanted right. Jerrica looked up at her trying to be patient. Pizzazz finally looked at the blonde woman and sighed. "Jer, I don't know how to put this without sounding like a complete brat or bitch. But I don't think I can be the lead singer of the Holograms anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because it isn't me. The songs aren't me. I can't put the emotion and feeling into them that's needed, because I can't feel the words." Pizzazz sighed again. "These songs are written for a person who can sing them and mean the lyrics. Someone like you perhaps but not me. I've always had the harder edge in life. Is this making any sense?"

Jerrica nodded slowly. "Yeah it does. I believe you said the lyrics were a bit too sugary before." She rubbed her temples in thought. "You know that this will really upset Shana, Aja and Kimber, right?" Pizzazz looked away and nodded. "So what are you going to do now? I know you love singing and performing. I couldn't get you to shut up about the Battle of the Bands."

Pizzazz chuckled softly. "You'd have to experience it to know why I couldn't shut up." She went quiet again and sat on the corner of the office desk. She stared at Jerrica for a long moment and then let a small grin slip. "Stormer and I have been talking about starting our own band. Some of her lyrics are pretty hard hitting and that's what I want. Also, she's been dying to play on stage as well. We just don't know where we're going to get more members."

"Well, you should know that I support you in whatever choices you make. When are you going to tell the group?" Jerrica sipped her coffee which had turned cold. She made a face and set the mug down.

"I figured there's no time like the present. Stormer and I are going to start scouting clubs as soon as we can. Maybe we can catch a lucky break and find more members that way." Pizzazz chuckled to herself. "We really have no idea what we're doing. We're just going by the skin of our asses on this one."

Jerrica laughed to herself. "So you're the one Ashley learned that phrase from. Gotta watch that mouth around the Starlight Girls." Pizzazz opened her mouth and Jerrica cut her off. "Yeah, I know. I'm not your mother." The two women exchanged glances and started laughing at their private inside joke.

Inside the rented condo Kyoko set down a cup of tea in front of Ikari. He glanced at it and mumbled a thank you. Kyoko rolled her eyes and sat next to him. "Hey, cheer up will you? It's almost midnight. You're turning twenty-one. That should be something to be excited about." Ikari sipped the tea and looked away. Kyoko watched him for a moment. "This is about tomorrow isn't it? You don't want Phyllis to know you're her brother. That you've been here all this time."

Ikari turned and looked at his best friend. "I think she knows I'm David. Subconsciously she knows. Why do you think I don't talk to her or any of her friends?" He rested his head on her shoulder. "Tomorrow I have to tell her the truth. I don't want to but I have to. I don't know if whether she'll accept me or hate me."

Kyoko wrapped her arm across his shoulders. "She's your sister but more than that she's your twin. Forgiveness is in her heart. You'll just have to give her space and time to accept the truth. Phyllis is a wonderful woman. You're both so much alike." They sat in silence until the clock chimed the midnight hour. Kyoko reached behind the couch and handed a wrapped box to David. She kissed him on the cheek and smiled. "Happy birthday."

David looked at the gift and slowly began opening it. He opened the plain box and inside was a small dagger. He picked it up and unsheathed it. The blade was finely polished. David knew where he'd seen this dagger before. "Kyoko, this is your father's dagger. The one my father gave him when they trained together. I can't accept this."

"Oh bull. My father gave it to me to give to you." She smiled widely. "It's a symbol of our friendship being passed down through the generations. You're my best friend and I love you dearly. Accept this as a symbol of that."

Setting the dagger back in the box and put it on the coffee table, David gave Kyoko a long, tight hug. "Thank you. It means a lot to me to be given this."

The McGrath Building was one of the oldest buildings in the city of Los Angeles. It had just recently been named a historic landmark. Jerrica, Pizzazz and Kimber all stood before the entrance. Nervous, excited energy flowed through their veins. None of them had any idea what they could possibly be inheriting from their families. They entered the building and went to the bank of elevators.

A short elevator ride to the sixth floor brought them to the modest office of Eric Raymond. He was standing near his secretary's desk going over an appointment book with her. He looked up when the doors opened and smiled at the three young women. He shook each of their hands enthusiastically.

"You're right on time ladies. In fact, you're a few minutes early." Eric led them to the desk. "We're going to have you three in two separate rooms. It's just a formality I assure you." He opened one door and gestured for Pizzazz to enter. The room was darkened. "Ms. Gabor this is your room. And over here is the room for the Benton sisters." Eric opened another door to a dimly lit room. I'll be with each of you momentarily."

Pizzazz sat in one of the office chairs. She sank slightly into the chair. The door shut behind her causing her to turn her head to look. A dark figure walked toward her slowly. Thin beams of sunlight caught its face. Pizzazz stood and backed up a bit and looked confused at the approaching figure. He stopped letting a shaft of light fall over part of his face. Pizzazz stared at him dumbfounded. "Ikari? What are you doing here?"

Lowering his head and removing his sunglasses, Ikari spoke softly. "I tried coming up with an easy way to break this to you only to find there wasn't one." He looked up and smirked. "It's me, Phyllis. I'm David Gabor."

Shock swept over Pizzazz immediately. She felt her knees go weak and she bumped into the office desk behind her. Her jaw moved with no sounds coming out. Emotions conflicted within her as her brain refused to accept what her heart told her was true. She studied him for a long moment then smirked herself. "Nice to finally meet the real Ikari."

David chuckled softly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you who I was when we first met. I was scared to do so. But now," he let a short breath, "now it's our birthday and we're here for the reading of our parent's wills. Geezus, this is has to be one of the worst family reunions ever." David finally sat in the chair that was next to Pizzazz.

"Well, I'm more for chalking it up to one of the strangest birthdays ever. It still doesn't beat my eleventh birthday. The clown they hired for Jerrica and I was drunk off his ass and started chasing all of us around with the dead pigeons that the magician had." Pizzazz sat down laughing to herself and then stopped. "Actually, that's more disturbing than strange. I'm surprised I'm not a serial killer now."

A projector began running behind the reunited brother and sister. The image of the father they only had seen in pictures sat behind an oak office desk. He spoke softly. "David and Phyllis. I don't know what to say or how to say it. Just that you're my children and I love you both. I just hope that you're both together on this day. Ever since your mother and I divorced, I had my doubts you two would meet again.

"I'm sure you're wondering what I have to say other than this sentimental stuff, on to what I'm leaving you." Harvey Gabor stood up and the camera followed him. "I'm leaving you both everything: The company, the money, everything. You're twenty-one and should be fully capable to handle this. At least I hope you are. I left in my public will a temporary CEO of Gabor Industries. You have the option of keeping him in charge, relieving him of his duties and keeping him on as an advisor. It's really up to you."

Harvey sat back down. "I hope I was a good father to you. It was Emmett's idea to make this video will after your mother left. He said it was for security. He can be so paranoid at times. But he's usually right. I better wrap this up. I love you both so very much. I want you two to take care of each other and your friends that you have. Over the years I learned many lessons. But none that was as important this. Business is business, but family and friends are eternal. Never sacrifice them for business. It's not worth it. I learned that the hard way by losing your mother.

"Just know that I hope both of you are happy and that I love you very much. I know you'll do what's right in life." The movie stopped and the lights in the office came on. Pizzazz wiped the tears from her eyes. She saw David doing the same. They stayed seated for a few minutes.

Eric entered the room and David gave him a look. "Nothing from our mother?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Ikari. The only will she left was leaving you in the care of the Ikari's in Osaka." Eric handed them each a set of keys, a bank book and two credit cards. "The instructions said that after viewing the will you were to receive these. The Benton sisters are still viewing their father's will. I think." He scratched the back of his head in thought.

Pizzazz looked at the items Eric had given her. She slipped the credit cards and the keys into her pockets. "Do you mind if I wait in the hall for them, Eric?" He nodded and Pizzazz started toward the door and then turned to David. "If you're not doing anything tonight, stop by the house for dinner. Be nice to celebrate with my brother and my sister." She opened the door and David joined her.

"I was thinking that afterwards we go visit our new company and catch up." David and Pizzazz stared at each other uncomfortably. Pizzazz nodded that they should do that then finally hugged her long lost twin tightly. David slowly hugged her back. She cried on his shoulder until Jerrica and Kimber came out of the conference room. They stood off to the side and waited for the emotion of the reunion die down.

Agreeing to have the celebrations at the Starlight House, David went back to the condo to get his friends in Pulsar. Pizzazz, Jerrica and Kimber headed back to their home to get ready. Pizzazz went immediately to her room and called the bank about the account. It was real. But most of all it was hers. She let of a yell of joy and didn't hear the knock her door.

Jerrica entered the room with a half-smile and watched her sister celebrate. "So what are you so happy about? Finally realize you don't need a fake ID to get into bars?"

Pizzazz swept Jerrica into a hug. "Look at this!" She showed Jerrica the bank book. Jerrica's jaw dropped. "Yeah, that was my reaction too. I just didn't show it at the will reading. Now for the big question: What to buy first? I think we could use a new place to live. Someplace bigger for us and the girls."

"Phyllis," Jerrica sighed softly, "you don't have to do that. And I don't mean that in being polite kinda way. Our father left us some very strange things. Some of which you're entitled to. In fact, I was told to give you this." Jerrica handed Pizzazz a DVD. "Dad had this made special for you. He left Kimber and me that old Starlight Drive Inn. I didn't even think he owned it. I thought the name was just coincidence."

"Interesting. Did he say why he left you that place? It's falling apart."

"Kim and I plan on checking it out tomorrow or something. Whatever it is, it can wait another day." Jerrica sat on Pizzazz's bed. "Well, let's see what Dad had to say to you. Don't give me that look. Put it on."

Turning on the television that was in her room, Pizzazz put the DVD in the player tray and hit play. She sat next to Jerrica and their father appeared on the screen. They could tell it was made a few days before his death. Emmett Benton smiled at the camera.

"Phyllis, I'm making this will just for you. By now you've probably seen Harvey's will to you and your brother. What he didn't mention in the will were the stocks I owned in Gabor Industries. I thought about what to do with them long and hard. I want Jerrica to have my share of the stocks and when Kimber is old enough, she can have Jacqui's. If I know Jerrica, she's watching this with you." Emmett gave the camera a quick wink.

"But I there's more, Phyllis. It concerns the holographic technology I developed. I don't think the public is ready for this just yet. I perfected the technology last year. It's perfectly safe but I don't want it falling into the wrong hands. It's up to you and Jerrica to protect it. My investors who gave me the grant gave up on it years ago. You don't have anything to worry from them. Just keep this safe. It's my life's work and I'm giving it to each of you." Emmett coughed in his hand. "This is my gift to both of you. Share it.

"One last thing before I wrap this up. Harvey and I always dreamed that our children would grow to be best friends. I don't think he ever thought you'd grow up to be sisters as well. Never let anything come between you two. You both have a very rare and special friendship." Emmett shifted in his chair. "I'm leaving you now. Think about what I said. I love you, Phyllis. You've been a wonderful daughter to me." Emmett gave a small wave and the screen went black.

Pizzazz turned off the DVD player and television. She glanced at Jerrica. "We are sisters, aren't we?" Jerrica nodded. Pizzazz smiled slyly."Tomorrow you're founding Starlight Music. It was your mother's dream to have her own studio. I've heard you talking about wanting your own as well. Well, there you go Jer. Welcome to your dream come true and happy birthday."

Jerrica sat on the bed thinking about what her father had said. She didn't know where her father had left the technology he had mentioned. She looked up when Pizzazz mentioned Starlight Music. "Phyllis, you don't have to do that. The Holograms don't even have a lead singer. We need to audition for one."

"Well, why don't you do it? Your voice is perfect for the Holograms sound."

"I'm too shy. I can't get on stage and sing. I'll vomit." She smirked at the now giggling green haired woman. "Except it'll be on stage unlike you. I couldn't do, Phyllis."

"So just disguise yourself. But I want to do this and I am." She looked at the time. "We should get ready. David and Pulsar will be here soon. Look kinda bad if the birthday girls were late and looking like hell." Jerrica nodded and left Pizzazz alone to change and think about what Emmett had said about the holographic technology.

After going out for dinner with the Starlight Girls, Aja insisted that she take Pizzazz and Jerrica out for their first legal drink. Shana went back with the Starlight to help keep an eye on them with Mrs. Bailey. Stormer begged Jerrica that she and Kimber go with to the club. Jerrica agreed as long as they went to an all ages club. David and the rest of Pulsar went with.

The large group split up into smaller groups once they arrived. Most of Pulsar sat together. Eiji went to the dance floor almost immediately. Pizzazz, David, Stormer and Kyoko sat together. While Jerrica, Rio, Kimber and Aja sat at a table next to them. They kept their conversations private. On stage, the band played loudly.

Stormer nudged Pizzazz softly and pointed at two of the members on stage. "Check it out. It's Brit Rox. How cool!" She sat back and listened to the music.

Pizzazz watched the two members that Stormer pointed out: Roxy and Jetta. The two women were playing perfectly, yet by the looks on their faces, they weren't happy. Pizzazz figured it was because the rest of the band was horrible. Her attention was broken by Kyoko nudging her arm. Pizzazz turned and smiled. "I'm sorry, Kyoko. I was checking out the band. What were you saying?"

"I just saying that the band is terrible here." Kyoko thanked the waitress as she brought the table their drinks. She took a sip of her beer. "So are you and Stormer still looking for members to start a new band?"

"Yeah, I honestly don't know where to begin. The rescheduled Battle of the Bands is a few weeks away." Pizzazz over heard the band on stage announce their taking a break. She watched the black haired woman and the white haired woman walk off the stage. "Excuse me a moment, Kyoko. Stormer, follow me. I've got a stupid idea that may work."

Stormer followed Pizzazz with a suspicious look. They made their way through the crowd to where the band was sitting. Pizzazz tapped the platinum blonde on the shoulder. She turned and gave Pizzazz a quick look up and down. "Yeah? What the hell do you want? It better not be a damn autograph."

"Not looking for an autograph. I heard you and Jetta playing up there. Just wanted to say you perform as well as you wrestle." Pizzazz's compliment got the attention of Jetta. "I was wondering if you'd humor my friend and me. You see it's my sister Jerrica's birthday as well as my twin brother's. Stormer and I here are musicians and we wanted to do a song for them. Since we need a drummer and another guitarist, we figured we'd ask you. What do you say?"

Jetta whispered in Roxy's ear and they talked about it quietly. Roxy finally nodded. "Sounds good to me. Get your gear and meet us on stage in five. We'll see how good you are." Roxy and Jetta finished their drinks and got back on stage. Pizzazz and Stormer met them on the empty stage and hooked up their instruments. They did a quick tune up while the audience watched.

The four women decided on a song they all knew. Pizzazz took the microphone and tested it. She gave the countdown to the others and she began with the lead in. The three other women joined in shortly afterwards. Pizzazz ripped into their own cover of Victim of Circumstance by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The club got into the song quickly.

At the end of the song, the club cheered the four women. Smiling to herself, Pizzazz turned when Roxy tapped her on the shoulder. "Listen, that was great. More fun than I've ever had with the current band I'm with. Let me put it this way I haven't even bothered to learn the name of it. Jetta and I have been looking to quit. So if you want, she and I are willing to join you and your friend if you're looking to start a band. What do you say?"

"I was about to ask you and Jetta if you'd be willing to start a band with Stormer and I. So I guess the answer is hell yes." Pizzazz shook Roxy's hand. The audience could tell that meant something. "By the way, my name is Pizzazz and that's Stormer." Stormer smiled at Roxy and Jetta. "She's a little shy at times. We're going to need a name. Any ideas?"

Stormer leaned in between Roxy and Pizzazz. "I was giving it some thought, Pizzazz. I was thinking maybe The Misfits. Look at us. We don't fit in much. No offense, Roxy. But you didn't fit in at all with the Holograms, Pizzazz. My lyrics don't mix in well with them either. Obviously Roxy and Jetta don't fit in with their band and that makes them misfits in their own way. You don't have to use it, but it works to me." She gave a slight shrug.

Pizzazz thought about and glanced at Roxy and Jetta out of the corner of her eye. They were thinking about it as well. But more importantly they were smiling. Pizzazz grinned. "So The Misfits it is then." Jetta and Roxy gave a quick nod of approval. Pizzazz took the microphone again. "Ladies and gentlemen and others, there's a new band in town. It's The Misfits. And we'll see everyone again at the Battle of the Bands in a couple of weeks."

The four women left the stage with smiles on their faces. Roxy and Jetta were confronted by their now ex-band mates. "What's the big idea? I thought you were with us. Now you're leaving us for this, this, this trash?"

"Outta the way, wanker, Rox and I were plannin' on quittin' your little musical combo when we got the chance." Jetta pushed her way to confront their former lead singer. "Just face facts that the only talent your band had is now with someone who actually learned their instruments. Now move it."

Pizzazz rolled her eyes and pushed her way past the band and led the Misfits back to their tables. She introduced Roxy and Jetta to her friends. Kyoko joined the rest of Pulsar at their table. David stayed so he could catch up with his sister. Roxy turned and looked at David for a long time and finally nudged him. "So, what's your story? Pizzazz says you two are twins."

David smirked. "Well, our parents died when we were about two years old in a plane accident. They were divorced at the time. Our mother had custody of me and our father had custody of Pizzazz. I was taken to Japan to live. Our mother had gotten on a Japanese soap opera out there. So, we lived in Osaka near where the studio was located.

"We lived with friends of our mothers, Hiroshi and Mariko Ikari. Our mother kept in contact with Jacqui Benton. So when Jacqui was given the chance to sing at Madison Square Garden for some concert, our mother flew out to see her perform. The plane crashed killing our mother and father as well as Jacqui. Pizzazz and I were three at the time. Our mother stated in her will that I should be put in the care of the Ikaris.

"Pizzazz was taken care of by Emmett Benton. He couldn't make it to the concert because of his research or something." David looked at Pizzazz to make sure he was correct. She gave a sad nod. "From what Pizzazz has been telling me, Jerrica, Kimber and herself consider themselves sisters. I kinda think of Jerrica, Pizzazz and myself as non-family triplets. Our fathers grew up as best friends as did our mothers. It's just been one big strange coincidence. Especially since the three of us share the same birthday." David shrugged and sipped his beer.

Jetta and Roxy shared a look of awe. They turned their heads when they saw a man in a helmet approach the table Aja was at. They watched her bolt out of her chair and race out of the exit followed by the man and the rest of her table. Pizzazz shrugged and followed as well. She caught up to Aja. "What's going on?" Pizzazz asked.

"That goddamn bastard Zipper took my car. Turbo saw him speed off." Aja paced by the parking lot. Jetta rushed up and handed her a key and a helmet. Aja looked at her confused. "What are these for?"

"You can use my bike to catch the bastard. Roxy is going to help you. You're a friend of Pizzazz's and that makes you our friend." Jetta smirked a bit. "Besides, I like to hear about a good arse beatin'."

Aja put on her helmet and nodded her thanks. She got on Jetta's motorcycle and turned on the helmet's microphone. "Ready when you are, Roxy." She turned to Turbo. "Which way did that asshole go?"

"Follow me." Turbo ran to his car and sped out of the parking lot. Aja and Roxy followed on their motorcycles in pursuit of Aja's stolen street car. Pizzazz watched and waited with her friends, hoping Aja would be all right.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "PLAYING CHICKEN"

PART 4 OF MUSIC LESSONS