Music Lessons

Part 5

To the Victor, the Spoils

By Nick Maro

The firefighters finished putting the fire out while Pizzazz watched with Jerrica and Rio. The fire chief talked but Pizzazz barely heard anything the man had said. She chewed on her thumbnail and looked at the damage to the house. It wasn't as bad as it looked when she arrived with Roxy and Jetta.

Vanessa Phillips walked up to Jerrica and Pizzazz carrying a thermos full of coffee for each of them. The two young women took the coffee graciously making Vanessa smile. "The girls are being quite the handful for Kimber and Mary. I'm sorry I didn't bring any for you Rio. I didn't know you were out here." Rio just nodded his understanding and wrapped his arm around Jerrica.

The fire chief cleared his throat loudly. Pizzazz turned and looked at him. "Sorry, just not with it right now."

"It's perfectly understandable, Ms. Gabor." The chief turned and pointed at the house. "The structure is sound for now. The fire did damage the framework and the supports, but it's safe enough that you can get your belongings out. I suggest you just get the essentials and sentimental items only. Insurance should cover everything else. I do suggest that you do this within the next couple of days and don't let those little girls go inside without an adult."

Pizzazz nodded as she listened to the fire chief. "What do you think caused this?"

The chief shrugged. "I can't say right now because it's too early to tell. It might be a wide variety of things from the stove being left on to arson. Did you have any enemies?"

"None that would do something like this. Maybe it was just an accident after all." Pizzazz sipped her coffee and sighed. "I dunno. I just want to sleep."

"I won't keep you then. I do want a word with your sister. Just a few things I want to go over with her." The fire chief excused himself and walked over to Jerrica and Rio.

Pizzazz walked up and hugged Vanessa lightly. "Thanks for helping out, Nessie. I can't imagine what's going through the minds of the girls. I do need to ask you a huge favor and let the girls stay for a few days. I get to go house hunting now."

Vanessa lightly giggled. "You're not imposing! I mean all those nights Mary has spent with you guys. It feels like I'm paying back a large debt to you and Jerrica." She gently took Pizzazz's arm and led to the house next door. "Feel free to let them stay as long as you like. Everyone else is welcome to stay as well. It will be a little cramped."

"Don't worry about us. Shana is staying with her friend Carmen from school. Aja and Jerrica are staying at Rio's apartment. I'm going to stay with my friends Roxy and Jetta. You'll meet them soon. They're the new members of our band Mary and I have going." Pizzazz glanced back at the house she grew up in. "I hope you don't mind letting Kimber stay here as well."

"Oh of course not! Kim is an angel. I don't mind letting her stay. It looks like I'll need all the help I could use with the girls. Does your nanny know about what's happened? Or do you need to call her?"

"I didn't want to wake her too early. But if you don't mind I'll call her at your place. I also need to write down everything I can think of that's essential. If you don't mind, help explain what's going on to the girls. Also, I think we should get a list made of what they want to keep if it's salvageable. Before Jer and I allow the girls in the house I want to make sure it's okay." Pizzazz opened the door for Vanessa and followed her inside.

The Starlight Girls all ran up to Pizzazz hugging her and yelling questions. Vanessa and Kimber moved them away from her. She knocked on Stormer's bedroom door and entered. Pizzazz flopped down on Stormer's bed on her stomach. She hugged the pillow and felt tears begin to start behind her eyes. Stormer sat on the edge of the bed and hugged Pizzazz in comfort and support.

Pizzazz, Kimber and Stormer pulled up to a spacious mansion that was close to their old home. Pizzazz got out of her van and unlocked the lock with the key the real estate agency gave her. Right away walking into the house Pizzazz knew that this house was perfect for the Starlight Girls to live in. She turned and smiled at Kimber. "I think I've found a new house."

"Are you serious, Pizzazz? This place is freakin' huge!" Kimber looked up at the high ceilings and then into the living room. "We can't afford this."

"Don't you get it, Kim? Pizzazz is buying it with her own money." Stormer lightly nudged Kimber's arm. "There's no way the insurance company would give enough to buy this place. Besides, I love it! C'mon, Kim. I wanna check out the upstairs. The sooner you get up there the sooner you claim your own room."

Pizzazz pulled out her cell phone and called the real estate agency while Stormer and Kimber ran up the stairs. The second floor was bigger than either girl had expected. A staircase to their right led up to the third floor. Kimber and Stormer slowly walked down the hallway looking in each room. They finally reached the end of the hall and looked out the window at the backyard. Kimber's squeal of joy was echoed by Stormer's. The mansion had a pool.

Getting over their initial excitement, Kimber and Stormer started searching for a suitable room for Kimber. Stormer pointed out a room in the middle of the hall that was slightly larger than the other rooms, but it wasn't the master bedroom. Kimber walked around the room, studying it. She walked up to the window and checked out the view. The room over looked the main circle driveway.

"Yeah, I like this room. It's close to the bathroom." Kimber gave an uneasy chuckle and then sighed. She slumped against the wall and slid down until she was sitting. Stormer crouched next to her and put her hand on her friend's shoulder for comfort. Kimber put her hand on Stormer's and looked up at her. "Why did this have to happen to us? What did we do that was so awful that the only home I've had to burn down?"

"I don't know. I don't know why Craig was kidnapped and taken away from me. It's just how life goes sometimes." Stormer sat next to Kimber on the floor and wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Remember when I first moved in next door. My mom had finally left my dad's abuse and adultery. You came over to cheer me up. You had baked one of those silly little cakes in the play over that used the light bulbs. It really did cheer me up."

Kimber wiped the tears from her eyes and let out a small giggle. "It really did?" Stormer nodded. "Here's what's so funny about that. I didn't make the cake. Jerrica did. She and Phyllis both agreed I was too young to use the play oven at four years old." She laid her head on Stormer's shoulder. "But I see the point you're making. At least I think I do. You're telling me in your own way that everything will be okay in the end."

Stormer squeezed Kimber's should softly. "More or less, yeah, also I'm your friend and will be here for you whenever you need it." She brushed the hair away from Kimber's forehead and kissed it. "If you don't want to stay here, I'll ask my mom if you can live with us for a bit. How does that sound?"

"No, but thanks anyway. I'll have to accept that I live here sooner or later. But maybe you could live here for a bit." Kimber shifted her body a bit so she and Stormer's sides were pressed together. "Mrs. Bailey is always saying she needs help with the girls. I'm sure Jer would pay you for babysitting. If anything you could start planning with Phyllis for songs for the Misfits."

"Maybe," Stormer sighed and looked at Kimber. "So, what do you think of David?"

Blushing almost the same shade of red as her hair, Kimber grinned. "He's cute, I guess."

Stormer giggled. "And mysterious, I noticed he only really talks to Phyllis and his band Pulsar. He is also Phyllis twin wouldn't that make him your brother in a way?"

Kimber thought about it a moment. "Well, no. Phyllis is my sister by adoption. My father never adopted David. I guess this is where things turn into a giant gray area." The two girls began giggling. "My head hurts now thinking about that." They began laughing harder.

Pizzazz knocked on the door frame and smiled at her friends. "Good news, Kim. This will officially be your room starting Monday. Come on we're picking up Jerrica so we can go furniture shopping." She helped Kimber and Stormer to their feet. Together they headed to Pizzazz's van and took off to pick up Jerrica for a day of shopping.

A week had gone by since Jerrica, Pizzazz, the Starlight Girls and the Holograms moved into their new home. Stormer had moved in for a short while. Kimber had been right it was easier for Stormer and Pizzazz to write songs for the Misfits. Pizzazz and Rio converted the formal dining room into a practice room for both the Holograms and the Misfits. Jerrica helped out the Holograms with the vocals they needed to practice with.

Pulsar stopped by a few times to visit and to use the make shift studio for their music. Although the three bands were going to be rivals at the Battle of the Bands, none of them showed it. They stuck to the rule of may the best band win. Kimber, Pizzazz and Kyoko decided that if one of the three bands won they'd help the other two out.

The sponsor of the Battle of the Bands and the grand prize was kept secret. There was speculation that the sponsor was a major record label and the grand prize was a contract with the label. Another rumor that it was an eccentric billionaire's son, who just wanted to see who was the best band. And that the prize was ten million dollars. The fact that no one knew what the prize was what drove each band to be the best.

It was now two weeks before the battle. The Holograms were practicing with Jerrica while Pizzazz paced outside the door looking at her watch. She looked out the backdoor window at the Starlight Girls chasing Rio with water guns. Roxy and Jetta were busy filling up the water balloons and lobbing them at him as he passed. Stormer watched from the poolside in a chair. She wanted to get a natural tan for the contest.

The door bell ringing brought Pizzazz out of her distracted thoughts. The bell rang again and she jogged to the door and opened it. Eric Raymond stood on the front door step looking up in slight awe at the mansion. Pizzazz watched him in amusement a moment. "Hello Eric. I didn't expect to see you again this soon. Am I spending too much money?"

Eric looked at Pizzazz when she spoke and mentioned the money. "No. I'm not here about that." He looked at the mansion again. "So you did buy it? Nice. Very nice indeed." He looked over the mansion again and nodded his approval and pulled an envelope that was under his arm. He waved it slightly in the air. "This is why I'm here. It seems you didn't need to buy this mansion after all."

Pizzazz waved the young lawyer inside. "What do you mean?" She heard the Holograms finish their practice and leave the room. She waved him inside now that it was safe. Jerrica didn't want anyone outside of the family and the bands to know she was singing with the Holograms for the time being. "Come on inside. Mrs. Bailey just made some lemonade."

"Sounds great but I can only stay for a glass. I have to get back to the office." Eric followed Pizzazz into the kitchen. He looked all around as he followed. "By the way, the firm is looking into who set the fire. One of the perks you get having us on retainer. Your father arranged and paid for it before he died." Eric sat down at the table and Pizzazz poured him a glass of lemonade and set it in front of him. "Thanks."

"No problem." Pizzazz sat down after pouring herself a glass. "So I have you guys on retainer. That's good to know. So what brings you here aside from that and that I'm not spending too much money?"

Eric opened the folder and slid a few papers over to her. "I was supposed to give you this when you saw the living will. I forgot all about it. It was at the bottom of a box that wasn't even connected to you. In other words, whoops. It's the deed and title to your father's home. He left it to you and not to David. Just sign where marked and the manor is yours."

Arching an eyebrow Pizzazz began reviewing the deed and the title. She signed her name where it was marked and handed the papers back to Eric. She sipped her drink and smiled at Eric. "So, tell me. Did you always want to be a lawyer? Or did you have other bigger dreams than this?"

Letting out a quick laugh Eric slipped the signed papers into the envelope and handed the deed and title to Pizzazz. "I wanted to be a rock star. But since I could never play an instrument well enough, nor could I sing, I decided a lawyer was the best way to go. I had this foolish dream of becoming the lawyer to the rock stars. I guess if the Misfits do take off I will be."

"Hey now, we're not going to be that much trouble," Pizzazz said with a laugh in her voice. "All we want to do is play our music and win this contest." She glanced at the deed. "Are there any keys or security codes I need to know about the house? What can you tell me exactly about it?" She sipped her drink again and sat back.

"Oh yeah." Eric reached into his sports coat pocket and pulled out two sets of keys and a piece of paper with a series of numbers on it. "I almost forgot I had these. Just so you know the manor is already fully furnished and everything. I think the only think you'll need to buy is a new television. It's a beautiful manor."

Pizzazz glanced out the backdoor window and saw a soaked Rio running to the backdoor. She got up and locked the door on him. She smiled as she sat back down and watched Rio pound on the glass. "Oh come on, Pizzazz," Rio's muffled pleas of help sounded through the window. "Let me in. They're after me!"

Pizzazz smirked and watched Rio beg for help. Eric started to get up to unlock the door. Pizzazz set a hand on his arm and shook her head no. He sat down and watched Rio. Rio turned as he saw a dozen Starlight Girls armed with water guns walking toward him. Jetta and Roxy each bounced water balloons in both hands. Rio now pleaded with the women. The girls pointed their water guns at him and opened fire. Jetta and Roxy threw their water balloons at him.

Eric and Pizzazz winced as they watched the onslaught of water weapons on Rio. Rio's body slid down the window. Pizzazz started laughing. "Okay, now that was comedy." She turned back to Eric. "I think I'll be making a trip out to the house tonight." Eric looked at his watch and stood up. Pizzazz thanked him for the deed and the keys. She walked him to the door and they said their farewells.

The gate to the Gabor Manor slid open easily after Pizzazz punched in the security code. She pulled up in front of the house in her van and got out. The rest of the Misfits got out of the van looked at the expansive house in awe. Pizzazz opened the front door and entered the house security code before the alarm could go off. She turned on the lights and let out an impressed gasp.

The manor was still furnished. White sheets covered the furniture. The hardwood floors were freshly polished and virtually no dust was to be found. The three other Misfits gasped in shock as well behind Pizzazz. They walked around the house close together. In certain areas of the house Pizzazz had flashes of memories.

On the second floor Pizzazz stood in the doorway of her old bedroom. She was scanning the empty room carefully with her eyes. In the right hand corner near the floor she saw an old scribble mark of a crayon she did when she was three years old. She felt a vague memory of her father explaining why she shouldn't write on the walls.

"Hey Pizzazz," Stormer said softly, "Are you okay?"

Pizzazz turned around and smiled at her long time friend. "Yeah, just a stray memory." She looked around the hall at the closed room doors. "I just had a thought. Come on. I want to check out the backyard before I think about this further." Pizzazz led the Misfits down the stairs and to the backyard. She walked backwards while looking at the back of the mansion and smiled to herself. "Oh yeah. Yeah! This could work. This could definitely work!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"What I'm talking about, Roxy," Pizzazz said facing the young woman with a wicked grin, "is that, we as a group, move in here and practice morning, noon and night until the contest. I mean hell make this our new home. It's better than that crappy apartment you and Jetta are living in. I've been having thoughts of moving out. I've felt kind of uncomfortable sharing the same home as a rival band. Mary, how do you feel about moving out?"

"I dunno, Pizzazz. I-I just don't feel right about leaving mom and everything." Stormer saw the pleading in Pizzazz's eyes and looked back at the house then back at her friend. "Do you think she could move in also?" Stormer hugged Pizzazz when she nodded yes.

The Misfits moved into the mansion right away. Now with the Battle of the Bands about a week and a half away they were practicing almost non-stop. Vanessa Phillips didn't move in. She waited to see how her daughter handled being on her own. She told Stormer that moving away at eighteen was perfectly normal. Stormer reluctantly moved in but settled in very quickly.

The living room was converted into a make shift rehearsal studio. Stormer said the acoustics in the room were perfect. To Pizzazz it made no difference. It was a place to practice and none of their new neighbor could complain. Jetta and Roxy turned part of the basement into a home gym. Pizzazz told Stormer she could use virtually any part of the mansion for herself. Stormer said she'd think about it after the contest.

Over the next week and a half the Misfits became close friends, but most of all they became a good band. Pulsar and David stopped by a few times as did Jerrica, Rio and the Holograms. They were all impressed with the way how quickly the Misfits became a solid band. The three bands gathered the night before the contest to wish each other luck.

The day for the Battle of the Bands was nearly perfect. It was sunny but not too hot. A cool breeze blew through the stadium where the contest was being held. Right away Pizzazz could feel that the atmosphere was different than the first time. She signed in while Stormer helped Jetta and Roxy unload the van. She gave them their badges for entering while she parked the van in the lot for the performers.

On the way back to the entrance she saw Shin talking with Aja outside of the gateway. Pizzazz ran up to them with a slight smile. Her two friends turned when they saw her running up them and waved. Pizzazz doubled over and braced herself with her hands on her knees. She finally caught her breath. The three friends went inside together.

Pizzazz spotted Jerrica and caught up to her. "So the Holograms have a new lead singer, huh?" She smirked and looked at Jerrica out of the corner of her eye. "So who is it?"

Jerrica let out a laugh that she usually reserved for when she had a secret and wasn't telling. "You'll just have to wait and see. They don't want the surprise spoiled. But I'll you know that it's someone new to the music scene." She wrapped her arm around the green-haired woman's waist. "Don't worry. I'll introduce you two after the contest is over."

"You know what's strange, Jer?" Pizzazz said changing the subject. "I moved out of the house and I do miss everyone but the manor feels like home to me. I'm guessing its repressed emotions or something of that psychological hooey that you see on television."

"Everyone misses you at home. You're the first to leave. Shana has been talking about moving in with her friend Carmen." Jerrica gave Pizzazz a wry smirk. "I caught Aja looking at apartments the other day in the paper. What's weird and strange is that I always figured we'd all be together in the same house forever. But I guess life doesn't work like that."

"No, I guess not." Pizzazz walked with her adopted her sister. She scratched her neck in thought. "So who are the Holograms up against first?" The tournament was comprised of sixteen bands from around the country. Pizzazz looked at her tournament grid. She made a face. "We're facing some band named Carbonation."

Looking at the brackets on Pizzazz's list Jerrica found the Holograms name. "Looks like they're up against Lemming Revolution." She looked at a few of the other band names and giggled. "Sounds like a lot of these bands just looked around the room for names. I mean geez."

Pizzazz laughed and spotted the rest of the Misfits ahead of them. "I better go. Tell the Holograms and your mystery singer I said good luck." Jerrica nodded and ran back to where the Holograms were waiting. Pizzazz gave a quick yell to the other Misfits and joined them. They took a moment to tune up their instruments.

A page came up and told the Misfits they were going on first. The rules stated they were to perform two original songs, running no longer than five minutes each. They quickly set up their instruments with the aid of two roadies. They were ready within three minutes. A minute later the Misfit was announced as the curtain went up. The crowd was still small but growing quickly in the mid-morning sun. The Misfits played with all of their energy and the crowd loved it.

On the next stage over, the Misfits opponents finished their set. The idea was that the two bands on the same bracket competed at the same time. This way the first two rounds of the contest went by faster. At the third and fourth round of the Battle of the Bands each band got to play unopposed. The way the winner was determined was by the number of votes a band got. As the band advanced they also got to play longer.

The Misfits split up after their set and talked with the other bands in the competition. The time finally came that the winners of the first round were going to be announced. The emcee got on the stage and cleared his throat as he pulled out an index card. "The winners of the first round of the Battle of Bands are; The Holograms, Fluffy G, Zion, Limp Lizards, The Stingers, Pulsar, The Misfits and Dirty Napkin. The second round will begin with the Misfits facing Zion. This round will be twenty minutes. Good luck to each band."

"All right ladies let's go give the people what they want to hear." Roxy ran on stage after it was set up and picked up her guitar and started playing. The rest of the Misfits joined in. They played the full twenty minutes of new songs. Pizzazz saw that they were getting a larger audience than their rival band. She paid attention to their competing band when they played in the first round. Deep down she knew the Misfits would win.

With the twenty minutes up the Misfits left the stage. The stagehands were moving their equipment and replacing it with the equipment of the Stingers. The four women walked past the blonde trio without saying a word. The Misfits found a place to watch the rest of the second round in silence. They needed to see who was going to win but more importantly who they'd be facing if they won.

Pizzazz finally got to see the Holograms perform. Their new lead singer stuck out at her like a sore thumb despite the pink hair she wore. "Oh my God," she mumbled standing next to Stormer, "It's Jerrica. Jerrica is singing for the Holograms."

"How can you tell?"

"It's her body language and her voice. It's Jerrica's." Pizzazz shrugged. "I guess she found her mask."

Roxy giggled. "Looks like she could use a better one, something less obvious." Pizzazz nodded and agreed.

The Holograms finished up. Pizzazz avoided talking to Jerrica in her disguise until they could talk in private. The emcee took the stage again a short while later. He smiled and waved at the crowd gathered that had grown. He then pulled another index card out of his jacket pocket and the crowd went silent. "The winners of the second round and the four band advancing to the semi-finals are Pulsar, The Holograms, The Stingers and The Misfits! The Misfits and the Stingers will face each other first. Playing first will be the Stingers. They have thirty minutes."

Pizzazz and the rest of the Misfits watched and listened to the Stingers. Pizzazz was happy that they got the advantage to prepare for what the Stingers played. The Stingers finished to a loud applause and the Misfits knew what their set was going to be. They were going to give the audience the best show they could give.

The Misfits took the stage without saying a word to their rival band. The Misfits began playing hard and loud while the curtain was still going up. The audience went wild with their hard and fast songs. During a guitar solo Roxy grabbed the beer she was drinking and ran the bottle across the strings on the neck of her guitar. The crowd erupted into applause at the theatrics. Pizzazz turned to look at Roxy who just smiled and kept playing.

A half hour later the Misfits had finished what Pizzazz felt was their best performance ever. The stagehands rushed past them to dismantle the Misfits equipment and to set up Pulsar's. Pizzazz and Stormer were going to get some bottled water, while Roxy and Jetta waited. Roxy saw the blonde lead singer talking to Kimber. It was obvious even from where she was standing that Kimber didn't want him around. Roxy walked quickly over to her friend.

"Hey! Kimber!" Roxy yelled as she quickened her pace. "This guy bugging you?"

Riot turned and gave Roxy a smooth smile. "Ah, you must be Roxy of the Misfits. I was just telling young Kimberly here that it was obvious that your band was holding back for later on in the show." He began to laugh with contempt. "But it should be quite obvious that you'd never beat the Stingers. We're just that good."

Roxy smirked amused by the arrogance Riot showed. "Ah-huh, just for the record her full name is Kimber." Roxy made sure to let the r sound go long. "It's not Kimberly. And another thing, I don't know what you were saying or doing to make Kimber look uncomfortable from where I was. But I'd keep it in mind she is only seventeen and thus still a minor. So please leave her alone."

"And just what do you plan on doing about it if I don't?" Riot walked up to Roxy, bumping her back slightly. He looked down at her with intimidation in his eyes.

Chewing the inside of her cheek Roxy took a step back. She threw her arms out to the side. She laughed slightly to herself. "Well, I guess you've shown everyone who the big man is. I'm sorry." Riot snorted and started to turn back around. "Sorry I didn't just do this first!" Roxy yelled as she grabbed him by the arm and spun Riot around. She jumped up and wrapped the inside of her elbow around his throat.

Roxy brought Riot down on his back using her leverage and punched him in the left lung. Air escaped Riot's lungs quickly. She flipped him on his stomach while Riot was still dazed. She grabbed his left leg and started to twist his ankle. "When a woman such as Kimber says to leave her alone, you better fucking leave her alone. Now are you gonna apologize or do I snap your ankle like the twig that's in your pants?"

Riot rasped out an apology. Roxy twisted his ankle again in warning. This time Riot said it louder. Roxy let go of his ankle as security ran up and pulled her away from him. She shook loose of them and gave them each a look of warning. Riot stood up and pointed a finger at Roxy. "I'll get you for this. You're gonna pay." Riot stumbled backwards into some crates and almost lost his footing. The people around chuckled softly.

The security guards left Roxy alone after Riot was gone. Kimber walked up to Roxy with a small smile. "Thank you, Roxy. He was bothering me but he wasn't hitting on me or anything. He's just a big asshole." She shook the platinum blonde's hand. "I do want to say that I hope you beat the Stinger's sorry asses. You guys are so much better than them."

"Thanks, Kimber. The Holograms are a great band in their own right as well. I hope it comes down to you guys and us. I think we'll both blow the crowd away." Roxy wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Roxy and Kimber talked for a few minutes until the Holograms new lead singer called Kimber over to the rest of the band. Roxy went back to where the Misfits were and told Pizzazz what had happened. Pizzazz sighed and rolled her eyes. Pulsar walked past the Misfits. David gave Pizzazz a look that asked how they did and she gave him thumbs up and a big smile.

The Holograms walked past and each member nodded thanks to Roxy. Including Jerrica in her new look. The Holograms played the best that the Misfits had heard. Stormer was impressed that they had chosen a few songs that she and Kimber had written. When the band had finished the audience gave a round of applause and cheers that the band deserved.

Fifteen minutes went by and the emcee got on stage again. Parts of the audience began chanting the names of their favorite bands. The Misfits exchanged nervous looks with Pulsar and the Holograms. The announcer motioned for silence and the crowd almost fully silent. He dramatically pulled the index card out of his jacket pocket.

"The winners of the third round, first bracket is," the announcer waited a moment, "the Misfits!" The announcer waited while the crowd died down. "And the winner of the third round second bracket is," he once again waited, "The Holograms!" While the crowd cheered and clapped at the results, a stage hand ran up and whispered in the announcer's ear.

The announcer held up his hand. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. There has been a last minute change in the decision. Due to a member's disorderly conduct and assault on a participant, The Misfits are hereby disqualified from the Battle of the Bands and the Stingers will take their place by the way of default." The crowd was shocked into silence and then began booing the decision.

In the back, the Misfits were voicing their own objections to the judges. They finally settled down when they were faced with the threat of being thrown out of the building entirely. Roxy and Jetta walked back to the concession room in search of drinks. Pizzazz sat by herself watching the rest of the tournament by herself. Stormer left the building and waited in Pizzazz's van.

The emcee had announced that the Holograms would play first for a half hour followed by the Stingers. Pizzazz didn't hear it. She was too wrapped up in her thoughts until she noticed that the Holograms were on stage but not playing. Jerrica walked up to the microphone in her new disguise. She gave the crowd a kind smile.

"Thank you. Thank you everyone. I just wanted to let everyone in on a little secret. My name is Jem. And these are the Holograms. But before we start let's hear it for the other bands in the tournament. They all deserve a big round of applause." Jem began clapping with the cheering crowd. She turned and saw Pizzazz. She gave her a wink before the Holograms began playing.

Stormer came back into the arena half way through Jem and the Holograms performance. She sat with Pizzazz and watched. She was really proud to hear them playing songs she had written. It felt almost like they were giving tribute to the Misfits. The Holograms finished and walked off the stage. The audience was the loudest any of the Misfits had heard.

The Stingers walked past the two bands and Riot gave Roxy a cocky smirk. Jetta and Pizzazz held Roxy back from attacking the blonde man. The half hour seemed to drag on forever while the Stingers played. They finally finished and the Stingers walked past them again without looking. Pulsar joined the Misfits and the Holograms to hear the announcement of the winner of the tournament.

Twenty long minutes went by when the emcee walked back on stage. The audience went silent for the first time on their own. The announcer reached into his jacket pocket for the last time. "And now, the winner of the first ever Battle of the Bands. The winner of the lifetime contract with the record label they get to name is," the announcer took a long pause and a drink of water, "the winner is Jem and the Holograms!"

The cheer backstage could be heard by the audience in the front. The Misfits and the Holograms all hugged each other. It was cut short when they saw another stagehand whispering in the announcer's ear. The announcer did a double take and asked the stage hand if he was sure. The stagehand nodded.

Clearing his throat and motioning for silence the emcee spoke again. "My apologies but there seems to be a change in the decision. Because Jem and the Holograms broke the rules by performing songs written by someone in another band they have been disqualified. The winners, by default, are the Stingers!" The crowd registered their displeasure of the decision was by throwing empty cups and garbage on stage.

The Stingers walked past the two bands looking even more arrogant. After complaining amongst themselves Pizzazz invited Jem and the Holograms and Pulsar back to the Gabor Manor to celebrate their losses.

Standing in front of the twin buildings that sat across from each other, Jerrica and Pizzazz sipped their coffee in the late morning sun. It was two weeks after their defeat in the Battle of the Bands. Each felt they were robbed of their victory. Jerrica sighed and looked at the building on left. There was a large covered sign. The same was on the opposite building's rooftop.

"Well," Pizzazz said after her sip of coffee, "I guess this is something we should've done in the first place. I still want to know if the Stingers were pre-determined to win or not."

Jerrica nodded. "Kimber has been screaming foul play for two weeks. She says that the Misfits used some stuff written by her." She watched the construction workers for a moment. "So what's David and Pulsar going to do?"

"They went back to Japan for a bit. David is talking to Hiroki Bayushi about taking over as Senior CEO for Gabor Industries." Pizzazz's radio signaled and she talked to the foreman on her building for a second. "Can I give some sisterly advice?" Jerrica nodded and Pizzazz lowered her voice. "If you're going to be Jem take the earrings off when you're Jerrica. Our fans may scream like idiots but they're not stupid. Either keep it a secret or don't, it's up to you."

"How did you know?" Jerrica's attention was diverted by the two signs being revealed. The one on the left said Starlight Music. The sign on the right said Misfits Music. Jerrica and Pizzazz exchange proud smiles. Jerrica asked her adopted sister again. "So what gave it away other than the earrings?"

Pizzazz gave Jerrica a mischievous smirk. "Hey! I'm your sister. Besides I've heard how you sing and seen how you act while performing. Dead giveaway. Now, I do believe we both have a music company to run." She brought her coffee cup in toast. "To a sibling rivalry that people will talk about for years." Jerrica brought hers up. Shortly after the toast, the two sisters entered their separate buildings in the prospect of a bright musical future.

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 1 OF BUSINESS LESSONS