Collective Acoustics

Collective Acoustics
Date 2087-02-16 GM John Location Seattle (Auburn) Status Threat Level: Milk Run
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven Stuck's Carnival Don Rosenthal Concrete Teeth Mousetrap
Tennessee Funk Dice Hotdog Obsidian

Summary

In which the runner band Blood in the Boardroom forms and gives their first public performance at The Hole Story.

Background

Dice and Tennessee Funk have a pre-existing relationship. They've discussed before the idea of getting a band together, fulfilling one of Mekoz's long held dreams. Not just a way to make music, but a way to inspire anti-corporate sentiment and find like minded people. As an event planner and general socialite of Seattle, Dice has knows some people at the Family affiliated Stuck's Carvnival. She secures a spot during off-hours, getting clearance to have band tryouts in their lovely cabaret side-stage.

The Meet

Dice and TF arrive first, fiddling with the sound equipment and loading some things in from outside. The Stuck's staff is friendly, and varyingly competent. There's Jimmy, a heavier middle aged security guard, and Walter, a twenty something janitor with an unrequited crush on Dice.

A small smattering of people attend the audition, contacts out of both runner's phonebooks. Some more shadow-side than others. Some more talented than others. The first notable attendee is Obsidian. She arrives, and is immediately pulled to the side by Dice to gossip about the possibly torrid details of Mekoz's apparent affinity for dryads. The pair try to get the sound equipment working, but end up just strong-arming Walter into handling it for them. He's no expert, but he knows enough.

During her audition, Obsidian plays a number of pieces on her keyboard, showing a vast range of musical knowledge and talent. After a few songs, Mekoz jumps in to harmonize. They are more compatible than it would readily seem, and the fit feels easy, and natural.

Later on, Hotdog is arriving well into the listed time. Jaime is here, too, trying to learn to drive. On her arrivial, Hotdog gets into a tiff with Jimmy the security guard, who makes her lug her own equipment (a drumset) into the building. Hotdog shows off her lovecraftian mentor's mask, and plays her heart out with the assistance of some magical enhancements. The crew jams together for a bit and soft-launches becoming a 'real' band.

The Plan

Don Rosenthal, an old punk cowboy, is a frequent fixture of Seattle's alternative scenes. While ornery and decrepit, Don has a fiery spirit in his heart. Mekos has seen him before, hanging out at the back of shows with the other old fogeys or sitting backstage helping a young guitarist finger out some problematic tune. Don will be the first to admit that his folksy personal styles don't much align with the band, but he's just happy to hear the kids making some noise. He offers a little favor: if the band can get their act together in time, Don can make a call to a local mostly-Ork bar, The Hole Story, and get them in for the monthly show next week. They agree.

The band deliberates for a while, settling on "Blood in the Boardroom" as a name, with some firmly anti-corporate symbolism front and center. As far as music goes, it's a mixture of Tennessee Funk originals and cover songs. For special effects, a paint-grenade of fake blood is secured, among other things.

The Run

At the show, BitB is the middle act, sandwiched between (literal) punk kids Mousetrap and the local favorites Concrete Teeth. The leader of Mousetrap comes over before the show, and gets some sagely advice and encouragement from the band. Even more importantly, the band has free beer for the night! They also meet the owner of The Hole Story, a guy called Bruce.

During the show, Mousetrap does well! This being their second show, it's a fair bit better than their first one was. The PCs go on next, with a truly legendary performance. Their heightened skill and grace is infectious and potent, rising the flutter of rebellion and belief in even the most stone-hearted of attendees. Closing out the show, Concrete Teeth deliver a rock-solid performance, with less talent and inspiration, but a reliable sort of feel that comes from years of playing together.

Afterwards, Bruce and Don Rosenthal congratulate the Band wholeheartedly. Mekoz tells Don they should even try playing together sometime, and Dice pecks him on the cheek.

Hotdog shares a older sibling kind of moment with the Mousetrap kids, encouraging and validating them. Everyone drinks and relaxes and dances the rest of the night away.

Aftermath

Blood in the Boardroom is here! They have a positive relationship with established punk scene regulars, and are quickly spreading as a new underground hit. "You just had to be there!"

Rewards

Milk Run (5 RVP)

• 3 Karma
• 1 Street Cred
• 2+2 CDP
• Optionally take Perfect Time (5 RVP) or Inspired (4 RVP) from above rewards.
• Optionally take Don Rosenthal as a C1 / L2 contact (3 RVP) from above rewards.

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Hotdog

"Holdin' auditions for a punky act at a fuckin' classy casino of all places is still fuckin' stupid, but I ain't gonna deny that these drekheads can play. Been wanting to get in on a regular project for a hot minute now, still kinda shocked it happened. We fuckin' killed it at our first gig, stardom should come any day if we can keep it up."

Obsidian

"Fufu...seeing some old faces, new faces...and Hotdog....Well, Dice seems to enjoy it, so I'll stay and see where this goes~"