Chapter 9: A turn for the worst
(Disclaimer! I own nothing of Korra!)
Tahno was with Emma and Varrick in a car.
Varrick was talking about what he has planned for the band.
"And I think you'll like this. The band Black Sabbath, you know who sold a small percentage of most of their music? Ozzy Osbourne. And I think you can do better."
"What do you mean?" Tahno asked taking a drug.
"We've gotten some word about a solo record planned for you. Its a lot of money and I think you should consider it."
"Are you asking me to break up the band?"
"I'm just telling you about the opportunities that await you if you take the deal."
He looked at Emma.
"I don't know what you mean. They never told me anything."
Tahno had the driver pull over then glared at Varrick.
"You, get the fuck out of this car," he said, "You're fired."
"Wait what do you mean fired?"
"I said get out," Tahno repeated.
"Tahno its obvious you are high," explained Varrick.
"I said get out! OUT! Or I'll throw you out!"
"Tahno you're not thinking clearly."
"Get your ass out of this car," Tahno said, "Get out! OUT!"
He pushed Varrick out.
"You're cutting the wrong side of the rope Tahno, and you're gonna regret it."
"GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!"
The car moved on.
Tahno looked at Emma.
"Did you know anything about this?"
"I told him it wasn't a good idea but he just wouldn't listen to me. But we don't need him."
She looked at Tahno.
"I know what its like, all the pressure of becoming a famous icon. I had to escape from my overbearing father who was a businessman and wanted me to follow in his footsteps."
She looked out in the window.
"I think he would rather see me in prison, than let me be who I am. I'll help you reach higher ground if you'll allow it."
Korra and the guys were discussing a song Mako found.
"Mako this band doesn't do dubstep."
"Its not dubstep Bolin," Korra said.
"Then what is it?"
"Its music."
Tahno opened the doors.
"Sorry I'm late guys, I had a hangover."
"Opal told us you fired Varrick without out consent," Bolin said, "You don't make decisions for the band!"
"Bolin, chill."
"Well what's done is done buddy," Tahno said, "Besides we don't need a manager now that we're top of the pops."
"You mean you're top of the pops," Asami said, "It seems like you're wanting to have all the attention since that tour we did."
"Well, looks like we've got a bookworm. Don't be so boring, I'm here aren't I?"
"Are you?"
"Well I don't care if you're high as a kite as long as you can play," Bolin said.
"Mako I'm not comfortable playing this."
"Well I'm all for it. We've gotten enough of all the rock music. We should get people moving, let them know that we're also into the music of today's standards."
"You mean Dubstep?" Asami asked.
"Loops, prerecorded drum beats, its not us!"
"Us?"
"Its not the Tone Benders."
"THE TONE BENDERS ARE WHATEVER I FUCKING SAY THE ARE!"
Bolin got in his face.
"If that's the case then you can play your own fucking drums."
Tahno pushed him.
"Alright, let's go Rocky!"
The were about to fight, but Asami held them back.
Mako played a riff.
"That's…. Actually good," Bolin said.
"That's really good," Tahno said.
"Yea it will be," Korra said, "If you all can just shut the fuck up and play."
Korra tried singing the lyrics.
"Ok I'll do it," Bolin said.
Later they were rehearsing the song.
Don't Let Me Down by Chainsmokers
Korra: Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now, I need a miracle
Stranded, reaching out
I call your name but you're not around
I say your name but you're not around
I need you, I need you, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, don't let me down, down, down
Running out of time
I really thought you were on my side
But now there's nobody by my side
I need you, I need you, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, don't let me down, down, down
Oh, I think I'm losing my mind now, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, I think I'm losing my mind now, yeah, yeah
I need you, I need you, I need you right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
Don't let me down
Yeah, don't let me down
Yeah, don't let me down
Don't let me down, oh no
Said don't let me down
Don't let me down
Don't let me down (down, down, down)
Don't let me down, down, down
Later Tahno was alone drinking water.
He was looking through a book of people trying to find the girl he met.
He was also having flashbacks of a press conference of the band.
They asked him a lot of questions and the pressure was getting to him.
In another flashback he jumped from his table and attacked a reporter.
Korra and the others were looking at the newspaper article about the conference.
"They cancelled our concert over this."
"Well they do kinda take these situations seriously."
"And to make matters worse I'm the one taking the heat for it all."
"Well you did attack that guy who asked rude questions," Mako explained.
"Which was your idea," Tahno, "Honestly this routine is killing me."
"What are you saying Tahno?" Korra asked.
He looked out to the window.
"I've signed a deal with Starshine studios."
"You did what?" Bolin asked.
"Look the tone benders will go on, I just need to step out of the comfort zone and try something new."
"This is unbelievable," Opal said, "An album?"
"2 of them actually," Emma said.
"Bitch if you say another word I'm gonna kick your teeth in," Asami said.
"How much are they paying you?" Bolin asked.
"What do you care, you've been getting sick of my attitude anyway," Tahno said, "But you all must want a break from the arguments and such."
"Tahno we're a family," Korra said, "We've been doing the music thing since high school."
"People change," Tahno said drinking his beer, "And so have I."
"If you guys had just let him have his fun in the first place this wouldn't have happened."
Korra pushed Emma and was about to punch her but Mako held her back.
"I'm not gonna let you guys interfere with my vision anymore."
"Interfere? Are you shitting me?" Bolin asked, "You were playing with the wolf bat soccer team before we let you play with us!"
Tahno turned back to Bolin.
"And without me, you'd be working at the mines, playing at jam sessions and bars, and you Mako, you'd be a police officer."
He turned to Korra.
"You would still be playing guitar in the streets hoping to make money to buy some gear that's already been bought by others, probably still with your exgirlfriend."
Korra was shocked by those words.
"And you Asami, you'd be stuck with Cowan playing the violin and possibly writing a book about your family's life that no one would ever read. Opal…. Nothing comes to mind."
"I study filmmaking and I'd probably be making shitty documentaries, or stuck on Youtube. I'd also be making some video comparing boob sizes. Does that meet your standard."
"Perfect," he said mocking Opal.
He started walking out.
"You just killed The Tone Benders."
"Oh it'll wake up once it smells bacon."
Emma followed him.
"And by the way Opal, I saw some of your old videos, and they're shit, and so is your flatass chest."
She walked away.
"Wha….. Fuck you ya heartless bitch!"
Korra just looked out the window.