One Voice - Chapter 2 - Taking Control

2 - Taking Control

Daniel rang the doorbell and waited. He had never been in this part of town before. It was busier, more cosmopolitan and definitely more up-market. The streets were lined with coffee shops and Bistros. Fashionable young people frequented the bustling stores. He had arrived at the door to an apartment above one of the shops.

As he stood waiting for someone to respond, he went over the conversation he had had with Louise two days ago. He had reluctantly rang her, although he wasn't sure why. Was he agreeing to try to make it in the music world or, was this just a personal matter, wanting to get closer to the woman who had evoked such strong feelings in him? Perhaps it was both, or neither.

His thoughts were interupted by a voice over the intercom.

“Yep?” came a causal man's voice.

Daniel was taken aback, he had expected the smooth voice of Louise, not this stranger, this intruder.

“Err, it's er.. Daniel. I'm here to see Louise?” he stammered cautiously, almost apolagetically.

He could hear the man speak to someone else in the background.

“You expecting someone, guy named Daniel?” he asked them.

There was a silence as the intercom went dead. Then, clicking back to life he heard Louise's voice.

“Oh, hi Dan, you're a bit early. No worries, come up.”

A buzzer sounded and he nervously pushed the door open. She sounded put out, like he had interrupted something. Who was this other man in her flat? Was he a boyfriend, a lover, her husband?! Daniel found himself feeling angry, suspicious. He paused on the stairs, catching his breath and speaking softly to himself.

“Stop it you fool. You're here to talk about music, nothing else. She's not dating you, she has her own life, a successfil life, with other people. Just get a grip!”

Daniel suddenly felt clumsy and childish, like a little boy who had just stumbled into a classy dinner party. He wished he'd never come here. He almost turned around and left, when a door opened at the top of the stairs. A man stood there, perhaps in his early thirties, dark hair and neat trimmmed beard. Something about him said money. He motioned to Daniel and stepped to one side.

Hi Daniel, Lou will be with you in a moment, she's just getting changed.”

Daniel approached the door tentatively, entering and waiting in the corridor. He turned to see the man but the stranger passed him and went into the room at the end of the corridor.

“Want a drink?” he called as Daniel made his way into the room.

“Yes please” Dam - did Daniel want a drink! He sat on the leather sofa and perched awkwardly on the edge. He hated these slippery low-back settees. He could never get comfortable on them. The man offered him a glass without telling him what was in it.

“Ta” said Daniel, looking at the contents. White wine, he didn't really drink white wine. He was a beer man, lager specifically.

The stranger stood and gulped his drink, then turned to Daniel.

“So you're the guy who plays the nature music stuff right?” He asked.

The nature music stuff? Was that how they saw him? Daniel gave the man a weak smile, almost embarrassed by this lowly tag he had been given.

“Er, I suppose so”, he replied

The man turned to pour himself another drink.

“Yeah, Lou mentioned you. She said you had some cute somgs, a bit rough but definitely something nice in there somewhere.”

Daniel found himself feeling more uncomfortable, like an exhibit being ogled at an auction. So his music, his creations were cute, and rough? How nice!

Just then Louise entered the room. She seemed hurried and distracted. Her clothing was different to what he had seen her in before. She was wearing a very short skirt and a thin top which showed of her figure a little too well. Daniel was caught by surprise. He was both stimulated yet embarrassed, particularly by the presence of the other man in the room. Louise seemed like a different person, more flambouyant and flippant. She caught his anxious gaze and smiled.

“Sorry Dan, I wasn't expecting you so soon. Did you offer him a drink Max?”

Daniel stood up to greet Louise but she sped past him to the other side of the room.

“Er, yes, thanks”, he mumbled following her with his eyes.

“Don't I always look after your friends little Lou?” he said, his eyes also following Louise.

After a few frantic moments of searching around the room, Louise finally turned her attention to Daniel. As she poured herself a drink, she glanced over at him.

“So, you are interested in doing something with me then?” she said loudly. Daniel was caught unawares by the comment and swallowed nervously. He hesitated in confusion, searching Louise's face for more clarification. The man standing near Louise was grinning from ear to ear at this spectacle and Daniel felt very uncomfortable.

Louise smiled a mischevous smile and spoke again. “You want to make music, with my help?” she said with a chuckle.

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief and sat forward in his seat. “Oh, yes, I er, I thought about what you said and yes, I'd like to share some of my songs with more people, if you think I can.”

Louise now turned her attention to the bearded man who was now on his third drink. Daniel suddenly realized that the man was some kind of authority, someone that Louise looked up to. The man was silent for a moment and then turned to look at Daniel.

“Why did you really come here Daniel? Louise tells me that you despise the music industry, you hate performing and that you insist on singing your own sugary compositions. What changed your mind? Are you hoping to score one with her, hypnotise her with your melodies?”

Before Daniel could respond to the provocation, Louise walked toward the man, clearly angry with him.

“What the hell, Max. Just leave it will you. We had an agreement.”

Everything was happening so fast that Daniel couldn't keep up with what was going on. But before he could get involved, Max gestured his arms in a sign of surrender, with a broad grin on his face.

“Fine, calm down Lou, I'm kidding. Look I'm okay with your decision as long as you stick to my condition. I can't be fairer than that can I?”

Daniel now felt completely out of the loop. They were obviously discussing him. He felt like a child listening to his parents making some decision about his schooling or his friends. Finally, Daniel felt the need to speak up.

“What's going on?” he demanded calmly. “What decision do you mean? Is this about me?”

Louise now came and sat next to Daniel. She looked slightly flustered, as if she had been forced to spring a suprise too early. She held his gaze for a moment and then, with a rather half-hearted smile, she said;

“Dan, Max has agreed to back me in producing some of your songs and getting you some small gigs. Are you interested?”

Daniel couldn't hide the look of genuine surprise on his face. He switched his focus to the bearded man who sipped his drink almost indifferently. The man shrugged, as though waiting for some kind of response from Daniel.

Turning back to Louise, Daniel at last spoke;

“Really, are you serious, me, my music?” he asked incredulously.

Louise paused and looked over at Max for a moment.

“Yeah, at least to begin with, although Max has some ideas about that, how you could refocus some of your lyrics and maybe also do some cover songs with your own.”

Daniel suddenly looked confused. His focus switched back and forwards beteween them. “But how does Max know what words I use, he hasn't heard my songs yet?”

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room until Max broke it with an impatient voice;

“Louise recorded you singing mate, she played me some of your songs. You've definitely got promise Dan but you're too raw, too niaive for the music world. You need tweaking and representing, to make you more publically palatable.”

Just then Louise cut him off, while sneaking him a frosty glance.

“Look Dan, trust me, you can reach people with your feeling, your honest passion but, to do that you need us to introduce you to the world, you need me to help you negotiate the pitfalls of the music industry. It'll still be your voice, your feelings but you can be projected to capture people's attention.”

Again she hesitated, as if uncomfortable with her next words. “Look Daniel, I spoke to your mum. I know that you are struggling to pay your debts and to look after your mum. I know she's not well, so.......”

Daniel stood up and breathed in deeply. This was unexpected, this was personal.

“What? You spoke to my mum? Why did you do that? You had no right! My home life and financial situation are none of your business, either of you,” he declared angrily, turning to Max.

Louise stood up and placed her hand on his arm. She could see the frustration on his face, like a child who had been lied to.

“Your right Dan, I'm sorry” she said in almost a whisper. But Max was having none of this and interupted her.

“Look Dan, here's the thing mate, you're being offered a generous opportunity that most artists don't ever get, and it could make you rich mate so, cut the dramatics and answer the question, are you interested in singing or not?”

Louise couldn't hide her frustration any longer and turned and glared at Max.

“Will you back off Max, please? Iv'e got this okay!” she shouted angrily.

Max stood silent for a second, staring at her defiantly. Then he waved her away with his hand and turned and walked toward the door. As he opened it, he faced them again.

“Fine Lou, you deal with it, but just make sure pretty boy here understands who's running the show, okay? I'll catch you later”, turning to Daniel Max offered a fake smile and said... ”Nice to meet you Dan.” Then he was gone.

Louise sighed and shook her head in irritation. She looked at Daniel with an apolagetic smile on her face.

“Sorry about that. Max can be a pain sometimes..... but he is very good at his job and he can get you some exposure, if you'll let him.”

Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was still angry at the invasion of his privacy and he felt let down by Louise. She could almost sense his reservations and she spoke quickly to try and reassure him.

“Look, Dan, I am sorry I intruded but, I only did it because I believe that you are talented and that you have something to offer, something good. I knew you would be reluctant so I asked your mum to help me persuade you to take a chance, to trust me.”

Daniel stood up facing her, giving her a sharp look. “Trust? How can I trust you Louise? You go behind my back, you make deals without my knowledge and then you want me to change my music.”

Louise rose to meet his focused eyes. She reached out and took both his hands in hers.

“I never meant to pry, honest!” She hestitated. “And I'm not asking you to change. I like you Daniel, you're not like most other men in this industry, you're genuine, real, and I want the world to know about you. And I don't want you to change your beautiful songs. I just want you to try some new things until you get established.”

Daniel stood enchanted by her words. Her face was now very close to his. He could see the dark green and browns of her mesmerizing eyes, feel the warmth of her hands and her breath, and smell the sweet scent of her perfume. For a moment he couldn't speak, then, suddenly, unexpectedly, Louise leaned in and kissed him gently. Daniel felt a sensation that he had never felt before, a pleasure in the soul. His breath shortened and he felt giddy. Finally, Louise stepped back and gave him that beautiful dazzling smile once more. “Trust me Daniel” she whispered. From that moment, Daniel knew that he would trust her.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“And the sun will smile, and stay a while, for many good days”

Daniel ended the song and waited for the reaction from the audience. It was the last song of the evening and it was one of his favourites. There was a generous applause from the auditorium but it wasn't as enthusiastic as when he had sung the added songs throughout the evening. As he stood there, a little bemused, the host came onto the stage and grabbed the microphone;

“Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Daniel Brown.” The audience clapped and whooped as the host held his arm out towards Daniel. It didn't last long though and Daniel felt the need to exit the stage immediately. Although his confidence had grown over these few weeks, Daniel still felt uneasy on stage. Max had pushed him and Louise had persuaded him, always wanting more from him each time he performed. She had introduced some more mainstream songs to his performances, some of which Daniel didn't mind but two of which he had considered too commercial and bland. As Daniel walked off, the host continued speaking to the crowd. “And Daniel's music is available online and will be released next month on CD folks.” Over the last few weeks, Max had been producing a compilation of Daniel's songs along with some additional ones. There had been some anticipated sales, especially after the local radio interview and Daniel had been given an advance by Max's company. Daniel was starting to receive money from the music, nothing substantial but, enough to make life easier for himself and his mother.

As he came off stage he was surprised to see both Louise and Max waiting outside the dressing room. Max had his usual disinterested grin on his face but Louise was beaming at him, her thin arms held up from her slim frame, in mock triumph, then she opened her arms and hugged him tightly.

“You nailed it Dan” she said, “better than last week by a mile.”

Daniel smiled, he loved to please her, just to see that smile.

“You're getting there mate, it's slowly coming together”

Daniel didn't answer but headed into the room. He didn't share their perspective of events and he was far from happy with the evening. As he entered the small changing room both Louise and Max followed. Daniel knew that this was a rare privilege, having the attention of both agent and producer at once, and it meant that something was about to change, Daniel knew it. He put down his guitar and took off his sweat-ridden shirt and proceeded to wash his face. He waited for one of them to speak. As ususal it was “good cop” - Louise who piped up first;

“How'd you feel Dan, are you enjoying it more now, because you looked much more comfortable out there tonight.”

Daniel could discern from the reflection in his mirror that Louise was discreetly making eye contact with Max as she spoke. These two were like a well-oiled machine, they worked well together, she the chisel, and Max the hammer.

“I feel more confident, yes”, he answered, without looking away from the mirror, “but I'm still not happy about replacing some of my songs or the song choices you have included, I feel like a fraud.”

As he finished speaking, his friend Lenny entered. As soon as he saw Daniel he raised his arms, and shook his long brown hair in mock excitement.

“Daniel that is called Daniel, it is a great honour, your superstarness” he cried and bowed low with his hand sweeping to his side. Daniel smiled and he caught Louise smiling too. Daniel could always rely on his friend to lighten the moment.

“How was it Len? Didn't send you to sleep I hope?” he responded.

“Only for the first seven songs mate so, no harm done” said Lenny.

Just then, Max spoke up for the first time and there was a note of irritation in his voice. He stepped in front of Lenny, blocking his view of Daniel and addressed Daniel directly.

“Listen, time is money Dan and we need to talk about the next steps for you so, you'll have to ask your pal to wait outside.”

Daniel became angry, not for the first time in Max's presence.

“My PAL stays okay? And please don't ignore him, like he's not even standing here, Max” he retorted firmly.

Louise looked on anxiously as Max stepped forward to respond, but before a word could be said, Lenny raised his hands in consiliation and spoke;

“Its fine Danno, no problem mate, you three have got business to discuss and business bores the worn-out pants off me. I'll wait in my seat. planning how I'm gonna spend your money.” It was typical of Lenny, his only real friend. Len had always been the one to make light of things, to get through life with a smile and a joke, he wasn't interested in causing problems or challenging things but just wanted to get along with everyone. Dan had always said that Lenny belonged in the 60s to the hippy movement, with his laid-back attitude.

With that, Lenny turned and left.

As soon as he had gone, Max rounded on Daniel.

“Listen you little Diva, I'm the man fronting all this, I'm the one who can make you, so you better start showing a bit of respect or we just might call it a day and then you can go back to your supermarket jobs or whatever trivial little existence you came from, are we clear?”

Daniel reeled at the harsh words aimed at him, his blood pumping faster, his stomach tightening. This man was trying to humiliate him, to dismiss him in front of his friend and in front of Louise. He was just about to lose himself and retaliate when Louise stepped forward between them.

“Max, what is wrong with you?” she yelled, “Stop being so rude. Dan's just looking for some respect himself. Please calm down, both of you.” As she finished speaking she turned to Daniel and addressed him alone.

“Look Dan, Max is a very busy man and he is really trying to help so, don't let him get to you. We need to discuss new developments in your career. Can we talk, please?”

As she spoke she stroked his face with her small hand. Once again he felt that warmth, that calm and he caught her lovely scent. These last few weeks had been confusing for Daniel. Louise kept making these little gestures of affection and he wasn't sure how to take them. Sometimes he wondered if she were playing with him or manipulatiing him for her own purposes. Yet part of him believed, desperately hoped, that she had developed some feelings for him. Louise had been busy recently and Daniel had not seen much of her. He had wondered if there was something between her and Max, but he couldn't imagine why she would like someone as brusk and self-centered as him. Besides, Daniel honestly couldn't bear the thought of her being involved with Max, she was too lovely, too positive, and Daniel definitely had feelings for her. He paused, looking at both their faces to glean where they were at.

“Okay, go ahead Max, what's your plan then, I'm all ears.”

Daniel sat down and continued to clean himself up. Max glanced at Louise for a moment and then spoke again.

“Right we have an appointment for you to attend, and we have some lyrical additions to consider. Both of them can push you into the limelight and possibly the news. First, we've arranged for you to have a an interview and a singing slot with a music TV station, “Roots.” It's a focus on new artists struggling against adversity. We've arranged it for Wednesday. Here's your entrance pass, introductory letter and all the details. Louise will meet you there, just to make sure you don't mess it up, so don't be late and, listen mate ...” Max paused, considering his next words, ”Show a bit of ooomph, a bit of passion for a change, grab their attention you know. You've got five minutes to talk and five minutes to sing so, make the most of it, have an impact!”

Daniel monitored Max's face, looking for a hint of his mood, waiting for the punchline. He knew it couldn't be that simple.

“Okay, I could do that ” he said slowly, still expecting a catch.

“And”, Max continued, “I want you to really project the adversity aspect, broaden it out, make it more dramatic. People love a rags-to-riches story of a downtrodden, unlucky nobody nice guy who becomes a star or a hero.”

Daniel stopped what he was doing and stared at Max with contempt, and then, looking at Louise to see if she was on board with this game, said; ”More dramatic, what exactly do you mean Max?”

Max hesitated with a frustrated sigh, and then turned to Louise.

“Explain it to him Lou, he's your project!” he snapped.

Louise approached Daniel, looking uncomfortable. She stood next to him and peered down at him with a hesitant look.

“See Dan, the media has pockets of interest, requirements for their readership. They want something raw, something very human, that their audience can relate to. Max is right, people do love stories of unknown artists succeeding against the grain, especially if they've come from a deprived background.”

She waited a few seconds, and then, reaching out and taking his hand, she softly said “It inspires people Dan, I know you want to do that, don't you?” Once again Daniel was caught off-guard by her closeness and voice. Louise had this ability to make him feel special, needed, appreciated. Yet, still he had concerns.

“I'm not deprived” Daniel retorted indignantly, almost sounding childish.

Max snorted and smirked as he leant against the wall with his arms crossed. As he did so, Daniel could see the expensive looking watch and jewellry he was wearing. It was almost as if Max were making a point.

“Not exactly rolling in it though are you son?”

Louise caught sight of the flash of irritation on Daniel's face but, before Daniel could respond, she held her hands up in acknowledgement.

“I didn't mean materially or financially Dan” she said, casting an accusing look sideways at Max, “but you have been deprived of your father and of justice, and recognition. Those are heavy odds to battle to make a name for yourself. All Max is saying is that people would appreciate where you've come from.”

Daniel coudn't argue with her logic even though he still felt that he was being manipulated by Max. He decided not to push the issue further. He sighed, looking down.

“You said there were a couple of things.”

Max stirred again and spoke in his ususal condecsending manner.

“We also need to shake some of your songs up a bit, the target audience we're aiming for won't get some of your references and, well to be honest, some of the words are a bit …...fluffy.”

Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Fluffy?” he repeated, as if it were a foreign word.

Max now had his trademark smirk on his face, and Daniel could tell that he was enjoying this.

“Yeah mate some of your lyrics are like throwbacks from the 60s, like folksy songs, they just won't go down well in a mass market.”

Max didn't even give Daniel a chance to answer but, continued, “I've had a team look at some of your songs and tweak them a bit, I think they've done a good job. Here have a look at one.”

Max handed a sheet of paper to Daniel. He hesitated, looking at Louise to see how she felt about these changes. She looked a little tentative, uncomfortable. Daniel knew then that he was not going to like these changes. He glanced down at the sheet and read the new lyrics, and they were new. After a long pause, he looked up, handed the sheet back to Max and picked up his guitar.

“Thanks but, no thanks” he said abruptly and started for the door.

Louise was startled, but then grabbed him by his shoulder.

“Dan, please. Where are you going?” she cried.

Daniel turned to her, and then Max, and spoke with a determined tone.

“I'm going home. Thanks for the help but I'll take it from here. I don't need that kind of help.”

Max could barely contain himself and had to voice his dissaproval.

“You're a fool Dan, a dreamer. If you don't take this offer now, you'll always be unknown and struggling, Do you really want to do this?

Lousie still had her hand on Daniel's shoulder. Her eyes showed how disturbed she was, and her voice echoed her feelings.

“Dan, please, it doesn't have to be like this. We can help you reach people, help you share your dream but, we all have to make sacrifices to get there.”

But Daniel shrugged her hand from his shoulder and walked to the door. As he opened it to leave he turned back to speak to her once more.

“You might be willing to sell your soul to the Devil Louise”, as he said the words he looked directly at Max, “but I'm not.”

With that, he was gone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Daniel stormed throught the front door of his house and threw his jacket onto the chair. Hearing the slamming of the door, his mother entered the passage. She stood staring at his clenched fists and grim expression but, she didn't speak. His mother knew him better than anyone else, she knew that Daniel was a mild person, that he was not prone to fits of anger, he wasn't selfish or insistent on his own way, like so many others. But she also knew that Daniel had a threshold, a point at which he stood firm, and it was usually because of unfairness or injustice. Someone had stabbed that inner-sense of Daniel's and she knew that it was not a time for conversation with him.

She waited for him to speak and then placed her hand on his shoulder. “I'm here if you need to talk about it, love” she whispered and, with that, she turned away.

Daniel looked up at her and felt a sudden pang of guilt. This was the person in his life who never betrayed him, never lied to him, always loved him, she was not deserving of his anger or indifference. He called out to her as she went to leave the room;

“Mum.” he stepped towards her but stopped himself. He was still angry, still hurt by the days events, by the people who were trying to change him, to manipulate him, to make him into something that he wasn't something that he despised. But most of all he was hurt by the betrayal of the woman he cared for, yearned for - Louise. “Sorry mum, I need some time, things are complicated. I'll tell you soon but, right now, I just need to be alone, okay?”

She nodded undertsatandinlgy and turned around to leave. Daniel still felt bad that he couldn't share this crisis with her, the one person in the world he trusted more than any other. As he stood there, he felt an overwhelming desire to succeed, to prove people wrong, to excel, to be someone who would be respected, listened to. As he watched his mother leave the room, he realised that one of the main reasons he wanted to reach people was to make her proud of him and to make her life easier and happier. He cried out to his mother “Mum.” She turned in the doorway and gave him a puzzled look. “I'm going to practise my songs, for the afternoon so, I don't want to be disturbed, for any reason, okay?”

She smiled a calm smile and said “You go do what you do best my love.”

Daniel half-smiled and went into his room and dropped his guitar onto the bed. He sat silently with his head in his hands, pondering over the events of the day. He felt frustration, sadness and anger, all at the same time. They were trying to mold him, to make him into one of their factory productions. They didn't want his honest music about life and love and nature but they demanded more, more controversy, more daring, more noise. They insisted that he sing about pain and people, about passion and politics about ….... what.... what does the world want to hear about most? What makes the world go round?

As he sat there, Daniel spoke one word out loud. It came from nowhere but it resonated through the room as he said it.

“Pleasure! The world wants pleasure, greedy, angry pleasure.”

As he said the word, Daniel recalled something he had learned some years ago, at college. He remembered learning about Greek philosophy, in particular a school that called themselves “Epicureans.” He remembered that they believed that the sole purpose of life was to have pleasure, in any form, as much as they could get.

Daniel thought about the world he lived in, the people he had met, the attitude of those who dominate society. That ancient philosophy had become the world's code of conduct. The world was a very selfish place. Suddenly Daniel had a thought, a daring thought. If the world wanted pleasure and pain, passion and politics, if the world didn't care about beauty and goodness, then maybe the world needed someone different from him, someone selfish and arrogant, someone who challenged everything, someone who loved selfish pleasure above all things, someone who sang about pleasure.

Daniel leapt to his feet. An insanity seemed to overtake him. He felt his breathing rapidly increase, his heart pounding.

“So they want something new ay? They want something a bit more in tune with this world, something that they can relate to? Okay, I'll give them something.”

Daniel grabbed some paper from the drawer and sat down to pick up his guitar. As he began to strum, a sharp rhythm, he thought about the Epicureans again, their beliefs, their leaders and teachers. And suddenly, it happened, a new creation was born. Out of the synapses of his mind came a name, a leader, a teacher of selfishness, of desire of pleasure. A name...... “Siro.” This would be the name of his new creation, his new superstar. Daniel would take a backseat with his music, to make way for his alter-ego, his nemesis �" a rock god - “Siro.” They would be one voice but, they would be two styles, two beliefs, two sounds, and they would be enemies! Siro would challenge everything that Daniel held dear. Siro would rock the world and give them something to sing about.

As Daniel carried on strumming faster and more aggressively, he thought about how he would present Siro to the world, how he could hide his true identity. Again he found himself recalling the world of ancient Greece, the self-indulgence, the licenciousness, the arts, the dramatics, the stage..... - the masks - that was the answer! Greeks wore masks, even the gods and godesses. And since Siro was a Greek, he too would don a mask styled in the fashion of the ancient gods. Daniel's mind was racing with possibilities. As he played his guitar more intensely, new sounds began to emerge. He felt the spirit of his new creation enthusing him, speaking through him with dynamic words and sounds. Daniel would introduce the world to Siro….. soon.