Chapter 576: Punk'd and Disorderly Studios

Thursday, March 2nd, Afternoon

It was lunchtime; she pressed the do not disturb button on her desk phone and left her office. She walked by her assistant and didn't say a word. She went down the hallways, hearing doors unlock and lock as she passed. Leaving by the front door, she curtly nodded to the receptionist and went to the elevator lobby. The elevator ride down to the ground floor was silent as she watched the number count down. Walking across the lobby, she ignored everyone around her as she went down a small hall and stopped by this one door; the sign read Punk'd and Disorderly Studios.

Haley opened the door and went in. The receptionist nodded and allowed Haley access. Without looking around much, she went to the far studio, the smallest studio. Without hesitation, Haley walked into the control room and saw who she was looking for in the studio. Jen Parker sat behind the drum kit and was being instructed by Evan McMichael on something involving playing the drums. Evan's wife and the woman that ran the studio, Magdalena "Mags" McMichael, stood aside with her Fender Stratocaster hanging as Evan and Jen talked.

"How are things going?" Haley asked.

"Jen is getting better; she's becoming a competent drummer," Chris Keller said from the board.

"What are they going over?" Haley asked.

"How to play a specific section, did you know likes Vinnie Paul? I didn't," Chris said.

"Vinnie Paul?" Haley asked.

"Vinnie Paul Abbott from Pantera and Damage Plan," Chris said.

"Okay, and no," Haley said.

"Your VP of Marketing likes her drums heavy," Chris said and chuckled.

"I wonder why?" Haley asked, "Last time I heard her play, it was simpler stuff."

"She didn't tell you?" Chris asked.

"Tell me what?" Haley asked.

"Her brother-in-law and his two kids are staying at her house," Chris said.

"How long?" Haley asked.

"Two weeks, I believe, until he closes on his house," Chris said.

"That house has got to be crowded," Haley said.

"She alluded to it, so Chris Keller offered her his bed," Chris said.

Haley smacked Chris on his shoulder, "Chris, she's young enough to be your daughter, and do we have to get HR involved?" Haley asked.

"No, but if I didn't do it, you'd not know it's me," Chris said.

"Still, it's creepy at our age, and her husband would probably come after you with a shotgun," Haley said.

"It wouldn't be the first time Chris Keller dodged bullets fired at Chris Keller by an angry husband," Chris said.

Haley smacked him on the shoulder again.

"Aw! Hey, speaking of HR," Chris said.

"Behave," Haley said.

"Yes, Haley," Chris said, "It looks like they are about to play again."

Evan stepped away from the drum kit and over to the bass he had set up. After getting set up, he nodded, and Jen counted the beat. Haley heard Mags start and the other two joined in when the cues were met. Haley didn't know the song off had, but it was strangely familiar. Something told her something was off.

"What's the name of the song?" Haley asked.

"Cowboys from Hell by Pantera," Chris said, "I'm honestly sick of it."

"It sounds a bit off to me," Haley said.

"That's Evan, he's not the best bass player, but he's serviceable for what they are doing," Chris said.

"Yeah," Haley said.

"You know who would be a great bass player to play with Jen and is six colors of patience?" Chris asked.

"Who?" Haley asked, "And it better not be Chris Keller."

"No, Chris Keller is too cool for the bass," Chris said.

Haley smacked him again.

"Aw!" Chris said.

"No BS; who would be a good bass player to play with Jen?" Haley asked.

"Kat Jared," Chris said, "Please don't hit me again."

"Kat, you say," Haley said.

"Yeah, she's been helping out here and there doing uncredited session work and song doctoring," Chris said.

"Why would she do that?" Haley asked.

"I guess when Arne is writing, she's out of the loop and bored until she's needed for vocals," Chris said.

"I see," Haley said.

"Kat would be an awesome vocalist with them, but I have a feeling who would also be a good fit, and an easier get would be her sister Alix," Chris said.

"Okay," Haley said, "But I doubt either of them would do it."

"You'd be surprised," Chris said.

"Okay," Haley said.

"Haley, are you in the booth?" Mags asked from the studio.

Haley clicked the button to talk into the studio. "Yeah, I'm watching," she said.

"Any thoughts?" Jen asked.

"Getting better, Jen," Haley said.

"Thanks," Jen said.

"What brings you down here?" Mags asked.

"I wanted to talk to y'all," Haley said.

"What do you want to talk about?" Mags asked.

"I was wondering if I could join you are playing from time to time," Haley said.

"Really? Why?" Evan asked.

"I just miss playing and like you guys just for fun," Haley said.

Mags laughed, "Okay, we'll think about it," she said.

"Thanks," Haley said and smiled.