Last Ditch Efforts
"Thank you for your... passionate insights. Now, let's hear from our esteemed music critics, your thoughts?"
A portly man with thinning hair and thick-rimmed glasses on the music critic's platform, cleared his throat nervously.
He could feel Gerald Sinclair's glare burning into him, but he kept his eyes fixed on his notepad.
"Well, I must say, this is... unprecedented. The fusion of melodic autotune with up-tempo hip-hop beat creates a soundscape I've never encountered before. It's as if the music itself is alive, almost hypnotizing the listeners into a good mood."
He paused, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief.
"The swagger in the delivery is undeniable. It's... refreshing, to say the least."
Gerald's face darkened, his jaw clenching visibly.
But the music critic pressed on, determinedly avoiding eye contact.
"The layered beats and contrasting tempos add a complexity that's rare in mainstream hip-hop. It's challenging yet accessible, pushing the boundaries of the genre."
The MC nodded, turning to another critic.
"Ms. Reeves, your thoughts?"
Sophia Reeves, a sharp-featured woman with striking red hair, leaned forward.
"I concur with my colleage. This style is revolutionary. The autotune isn't just a crutch here; it's an instrument in its own right, adding texture and emotion to the vocals."
She risked a glance at Gerald, then quickly looked away, her voice growing stronger.
"The production quality is top-notch. Each element, from the bass to the synths, is crystal clear yet blends seamlessly. It's a testament to both technical skill and artistic vision."
The MC smiled, sensing the shift in the room.
The youngest of the critics, nodded enthusiastically as he added,
"It's like nothing I've ever heard before. The energy is infectious, the lyrics are clever and poignant. This isn't just the rhyming of profanity we're used to in hip-hop today, it's… the sound of a youthful confidence..."
He glanced nervously at Gerald before adding,
"I believe we're witnessing the birth of a new era in hip-hop."
Gerald's face contorted with rage as he listened to the critics' glowing reviews. His inner voice seethed with contempt.
'Spineless worms! I paid them handsomely to tear that brat apart, and now they're singing his praises? Ungrateful bastards!'
He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white as he did some quick mental math.
If Headmaster Alaric, Director Annabelle, and these traitorous critics all voted for BMG, that would give them 50% of the votes right off the bat.
'Damn it all to hell,' he thought bitterly.
'The brat would probably win either way, but for the sake of Sinclair Music's reputation I can't let the victory be too much of a landslide.'
As the Master of Ceremony invited Jong-kook and Catherine to join Brandon back on stage for the final voting, Gerald found himself at a crossroads.
He debated internally whether giving the audience 100% of the voting power would lead to a better outcome for Jong-kook, whom he had already dismissed as worthless, or if the current voting structure would benefit them more.
'Perhaps the crowd's vote could save us,' he mused, his thoughts racing.
'After all, Jong-kook's boy band was a chart-topper. There must be plenty of fans in the audience who'd vote for them.'
He nodded to himself, finding comfort in this delusional logic.
'Yes, that's it. The masses love our music. They'll see through this pretentious drivel and vote for real talent.'
Three holographic voting bars materialized above the heads of Jong-kook, Catherine, and Brandon, each glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
The Master of Ceremony stepped forward, his voice carrying across the hushed ballroom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're about to begin the final voting—"
"Wait!" Gerald's voice cut through the air like a knife. He stood up abruptly, his eyes gleaming with a sudden idea.
"I have a proposition."
The MC paused, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Gerald continued, his voice dripping with false sincerity.
"For the finals, why don't we give the audience 100% of the voting power? After all, they're the ones who truly matter tonight."
The MC hesitated, clearly caught off guard.
He glanced towards Headmaster Alaric, seeking guidance.
Alaric shrugged nonchalantly.
"I'm fine with it if the contestants are."
Jong-kook's mind raced.
'Gerald, you sly fox. You're banking on our chart-topping success.'
A smirk played at the corners of his mouth.
'But you're right. The people love us. We still have a chance.'
"I agree," Jong-kook announced, his voice brimming with confidence. "The people know best."
He shot a pointed glare at Catherine, silently commanding her to fall in line.
Catherine scanned the audience, her heart sinking.
'Gerald's move is clever, taking away Brandon's edge with the judges and critics.'
But as she observed the crowd's excitement, still buzzing from Brandon's performance, she sighed inwardly.
'But he's only digging a deeper grave for us.'
She caught Gerald's subtle nod and Jong-kook's narrowed eyes.
With a heavy heart, she shook her head slightly before reluctantly agreeing.
"Very well. I concur."
Brandon stood beside Jong-kook and Catherine, his posture relaxed and composed.
He gazed out at the sea of faces in the audience, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Gerald's voice cut through the silence, dripping with mock concern.
"What's the matter, boy? Hesitant to agree? Scared of what the people might think?"
Brandon's eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening in an exaggerated display of shock.
He placed his pinky into his ear and dramatically dug into it before looking left and right in mock panic.
"Oh my! I thought I was hearing things! I didn't realize the sound system and microphones had magically started working again right after my performance!"
Brandon exclaimed, his voice thick with sarcasm.
"It's a miracle!"
He turned to the audience, gesturing wildly with his hands.
"Did you all hear that? The technical difficulties have miraculously resolved themselves! I guess we won't need to lend them those speakers my BMG crew brought in after all."
The crowd erupted into laughter, some even applauding Brandon's theatrical display.
"HAHAHAHA!!!"
Even Headmaster Alaric and Director Annabelle was struggling to maintain their composure.