[Chapter 42: Two Songs]
"Huh? Where's Michael?"
"Don't know. Looks like he just took Will Smith and Orlando over that way."
"Yeah, I saw Quincy Jones heading over there too."
"And Elizabeth Taylor and James Cameron -- a few others went in later as well."
"I even saw Spielberg. They're probably planning to take off soon."
"Hey, you guys think Evan Dando was on something to even dare say racist stuff at MJ's party? Honestly, compared to everything else going on, that's what interests me the most!"
"Tch, whatever he took, it must be really strong!"
"..."
The party was winding down. The big-name stars were gradually getting ready to leave. But since they were big stars, they naturally had to say goodbye to Michael, the host, before heading out.
When they asked the staff, everyone said Michael was in the living room of the main house.
One by one, these celebrities headed over, preparing to say their goodbyes to MJ.
But after they went in, none came back out -- not even now.
That got the smaller players at the party curious.
---
What they didn't know was this: the reason the big names hadn't left yet was because right now, these entertainment elites were gathered with Michael and Quincy Jones, surrounding the young man in the center of the living room.
They watched as he wrote two songs in a remarkably short time.
"Oh my god!" Quincy Jones exclaimed, full of surprise.
The music producer looked in awe at the original drafts of the two songs in his little notebook. His deep brown eyes sparkled with admiration. "Two songs with such completely different styles -- you really wrote these today? They're not some old demos you had saved?"
"Yep, I wrote them today. The second one was inspired when MJ took me on a tour of Neverland this morning. I think, in some ways, Michael and Peter Pan are alike," Orlando said with a smile.
"Oh, thanks for saying that," Michael beamed, pleased to be compared to the boy who never grew up. "I have to admit, I absolutely love your song -- both the lyrics and the melody are top-notch! For you to write it so quickly, Orlando, you really are a music genius!"
"Thanks," Orlando said, appreciating MJ's compliments, then smiled and continued, "As for the first one, I want Will to sing it. It was inspired when that bastard Evan Dando pissed me off earlier."
"Oh my god!" Will Smith couldn't believe it. "Seriously, man? You're giving me this song?"
"Of course. But on one condition: I want you to sign with my label. Right now, I'm the only artist on my label."
Orlando patted him on the shoulder. "In terms of pay, royalties -- ten percent more than your old deal."
"Oh..." Will got genuinely choked up this time. "Forgive me, Orlando. There's so much I want to say, but... but right now..."
He just wanted to kick Evan a few more times!
Orlando patted his shoulder again, showing he understood.
Quincy Jones then spoke up, "Mind if others take a look?"
"Not at all."
With so many big names here, what could it hurt if everyone saw? Who would dare steal it outright? That'd be career suicide.
So the two songs Orlando had just written quickly started circulating among the party's VIPs.
---
Half of the big name guests were from the film industry; the other half from music.
Most of the film big shots honestly didn't fully appreciate the songs, except Spielberg, who had come in with Cameron to say goodbye to Michael.
Not because Spielberg had any musical skill per se. But the lyrics of the second song immediately struck a chord with him.
♫ I guess Peter Pan was right
Growing up's a waste of time
So I think I'll fly away
Set a course for brighter days
Find the second star, I'm soarin'
And then straight on to the morn'
I know that I'll be fine
'Cause I know Peter Pan was right ♫
Spielberg didn't read sheet music, but he understood lyrics.
This song called Peter Pan Was Right perfectly fit the theme of his upcoming movie Hook.
Hook's story was about a man in his forties named Peter Pan, a sharp and successful lawyer with a happy life, a beautiful wife, and two adorable kids. So settled was he that he forgot the carefree boy he once was.
One day, while visiting his grandmother with his family, Captain Hook abducted his children.
To save them, Peter had to reclaim his youthful, innocent boyhood, and with the help of Tinker Bell, fly back to the magical, dangerous Neverland to confront Hook in a life-or-death duel.
At a glance, Spielberg knew he had to buy this song for his new movie's theme!
James Cameron, standing nearby, clearly thought the same.
"Wow, Steve, this song is tailor-made for your new film!" Cameron said in awe.
Spielberg's upcoming film wasn't exactly a secret in the industry. Just as everyone knew Cameron had flopped with The Abyss, and he was now gearing up to shoot Terminator 2 to rescue his career.
"You're right, James," Spielberg nodded emphatically. "I'll pay whatever it takes to get the song's film rights."
"You really like it," Cameron smiled.
He also considered contacting Orlando to write a song for his own new film.
Especially since Orlando was hot right now.
And with The Abyss flopping, Cameron wanted Terminator 2 to be as safe a bet as possible.
Using a rising young star's fame to draw young fans to theaters seemed like a smart move.
Cameron was starting to believe Orlando really had talent.
Although Cameron wasn't much of a musician himself, the big names from the music world here were all loving these two songs.
And so it was indeed.
---
Steven Tyler, the legendary rocker who clearly looked like he was on something, was already growling and singing quietly:
♫ Killing in the name ofSome of those that work forcesAre the same that burn crosses ♫
"Whoa!"
He said, "These lyrics are fucking sick! And the vibe -- hip-hop? No, more rock? Or should I say rock-hip-hop, hip-hop-rock? Hmm, rap rock?! Man, how'd you come up with blending the offbeat rhythm and tones to flip the heavy metal sound on its head? Though honestly, the writing's still a bit raw. Oh~~ totally sounds like me writing stuff when I was 20 and high out of my mind! Hey, wanna hit? I got some right here in my pocket!"
He seemed pretty out of it and was seriously about to hand over the stuff.
But Frank sharply blocked him.
*****
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