<🎧 Song Recommendation: All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey 🎄🔜>
The group made their way down to the administration desk set up in the lobby. There was a short line, but it moved quickly. When they reached the front, the producer took down their names, registered them as "Team 11," and handed Von a sealed manila envelope.
"Your song assignment," the producer said. "Good luck."
They didn't open it immediately. They waited until they were back in the room.
Von sat on the edge of the bed, the envelope in his hands. The other three gathered around him.
"Alright," Von said. "Moment of truth."
He ripped the seal and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
Song Title: Someone To You
Artist: Jack Philips
Von frowned. "Jack Philips?"
"Never heard of him," Sofie said, tilting her head.
"Me neither," Aura muttered.
"I think..." Conor scratched his beard. "I think I do. He was an indie artist from the mid-2000s? One-hit wonder type?"
Von pulled out his phone immediately. "Let's see what we're dealing with."
He typed the song title into the search bar. An article popped up from a music blog dated 2006.
[Jack Philips' "Someone To You" - The Forgotten Folk Anthem]
[...Unlike the overproduced pop of the era, Philips stripped everything back. No synths, no drum machines, no electric guitars. Just a man and his acoustic guitar. It is a raw, folk-pop ballad that relies entirely on vocal harmony and emotional delivery.
While the album, Wooden Heart, was critically acclaimed by a small niche of folk enthusiasts, it was a commercial failure.
Philips had one minor radio hit a few years later with "Whispers in the Rain," but the industry pressure eventually broke him. He famously walked away from his contract in 2010, disappearing into the mountains of Montana where he reportedly still lives, refusing to release new music...]
Von stopped reading. The history was interesting, but right now, he was more curious about the sound.
He opened the Tunify app on his phone and searched for the track and pressed play.
A gentle, finger-picked guitar melody filled the silence of the hotel room. Then, a soft, raspy male voice began to sing.
🎸♪
I don't wanna die or fade away...
🎸♪
To Von, It was beautiful, in a haunting way. It felt emotional and raw. As a song, it was good. But Von knew that for their specific team composition, it was a disaster.
He had picked Conor specifically for his percussion skills to round out the group's sound. He had bet everything on getting a pop or rock anthem that would require a strong beat to drive it. Instead, they had gotten an acoustic campfire song that demanded nothing but vocal harmony.
"Dammit," Von cursed under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.
The sudden curse drew stares from the rest of the group.
"What's the problem?" Aura asked, looking up from her phone.
"Nothing," Von muttered, shaking his head. "I just... I really thought it would have drums. It would have made Conor more useful."
The room went silent.
Conor gasped softly and shrank back. The excitement in his eyes vanished, replaced by the familiar look of someone who knew they were a burden.
Sofie frowned, looking from Conor to Von. "That's mean, Von."
Only when Von saw their reactions did he realize how his words had sounded.
"No, wait," he clarified quickly. "That's not what I meant. I'm not saying he's useless. I'm saying it's a waste because Conor is exceptional with the drums."
Conor blinked in confusion. "I... I am?"
"Yes. Aren't you?"
Conor looked completely bewildered at Von's words. "I never told you that, though... In fact, I haven't even played the drums in my life. I don't think I can play."
Von was surprised. 'What?'
He stared at Conor. The man had no reason to lie. He did say he was a guitarist in his band earlier, so Von wondered what was wrong. He quickly pulled up the System interface again.
[Name: Conor Prince]
[Skill: Drum Expert]
The System didn't lie. But apparently, neither did Conor.
'Was it a latent talent?' Von wondered.
It was a gamble. He didn't know if the skill applied to someone with zero experience. But looking at the interface, Von chose to trust the System over reality.
He stood up and gestured to the door. "Follow me. I want to show you something."
"Where are we going?" Sofie asked, jumping up.
"Just come."
Everyone followed him without question, though the atmosphere was still tense. They took the elevator down and were led to the large practice hall.
Luckily for them, it was currently empty. Most people were still forming their teams or assigning roles.
Von walked straight to one of the drum kits set up in the corner; a decent Yamaha stage custom set. He grabbed the stool and pulled it out.
"Sit," Von directed Conor.
"Von, I really don't—"
"Go on," Von insisted, crossing his arms. "Show us what you got, bud."
Conor didn't understand why Von was insisting he could play an instrument he'd never touched. And honestly, no one else understood either.
But as Conor looked at the gleaming cymbals and the tight snare head, he felt... something. A strange pull. An itch in his fingers.
He sat down on the stool and made himself comfortable.
Everyone had their eyes fixed on him as he hesitantly picked up the drumsticks. He held them awkwardly at first, then adjusted his grip instinctively until they rested perfectly in his palms.
"Uh... what should I try playing?"
Von leaned against the wall. "Anything you wish."
Conor exhaled a breath. He looked at the snare drum. He tapped it.
Tat.
Then the kick drum.
Thump.
It felt right.
He hit the hi-hat. Tsh.
Then, something clicked in his brain and his hands began to move.
🥁 🎶 🥁
It started with a simple rock beat, steady and strong. But within seconds, the rhythm took over.
🥁 🥁 🎶
🎶 🥁 🎶
🥁 🥁 🥁
Conor wasn't just hitting things; he was playing. He transitioned from a simple 4/4 beat into a complex, rolling fill across the toms. His left hand danced on the snare while his right hand worked the ride cymbal with a jazz-like finesse.
He drummed harder and faster with time.
He closed his eyes, a grin spreading across his face as the sound washed over him. He incorporated the crash cymbals, creating a thunderous crescendo that echoed off the walls of the empty hall.
Looking at him and the confidence he exuded, it seemed like someone else had taken his place.
"He's sooo good," Sofie whispered to Von.
"I know, right," Von replied with inward relief that the System didn't get it wrong.
🥁 🥁
Conor finished with a final, decisive slam on the snare and crash cymbal. The sound rang out into silence.
Conor sat there, looking down at the sticks in his hands like they were magic wands. He felt satisfied. Immensely, incredibly happy.
"Did I do well?"
"Of course you did," Von was the first to reply, stepping forward with a grin. "You're really good, Conor. Better than good."
"That was amazing!" Sofie cheered, clapping her hands. Even Aura was very impressed.
Conor laughed breathlessly, wiping his forehead. But then, his expression shifted to one of confusion.
"But, I'm quite curious, Von. What led you to think I could play in the first place? We didn't know each other until today."