The Music system

Chapter Two : Price of Silence

Jamal stared at the blue holographic screen for several seconds before shaking his head.

"Am I going crazy?"

He rubbed his eyes, but the screen remained in front of him.

[BEGINNER'S MISSION: PERFORM AN ORIGINAL SONG WITHIN 30 MINUTES.]

[TIME REMAINING: 24 MINUTES.]

[REWARD: $10,000.]

Jamal swallowed.

Twenty-four minutes?

He had barely understood what was happening, and now something was demanding that he sing within a specific period.

"Whoever is behind this joke should find something better to do."

He dismissed the notification and shoved his phone into his pocket.

There was something more important he needed to do.

Zack Effron.

That bastard had stolen his song, claimed ownership of it and was now celebrating with the woman who had betrayed him.

Jamal clenched his fists.

He wasn't going to sit around and watch another man enjoy the reward of his suffering.

He immediately opened his browser and searched for Zack's location.

Fortunately, the singer had announced a promotional interview at one of the biggest entertainment companies in Manhattan.

Jamal checked the address.

"Let's see how you explain yourself."

**********

Twenty minutes later.

Jamal stood outside a magnificent building with a large golden inscription at the entrance.

EFFRON ENTERTAINMENT.

He looked at the building and then at his reflection in the glass door.

His black jacket was slightly worn, his sneakers were old, and his hair needed attention.

He looked nothing like the people entering the building.

Still, he straightened his clothes and walked inside.

"Good afternoon. How may I help you?"

A young receptionist smiled at him.

"I'm here to see Zack Effron."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but I need to speak with him. It's important."

The woman's smile disappeared slightly.

"Do you have a business card or an appointment confirmation?"

Jamal shook his head.

"Just tell him Jamal is here. He will understand."

She looked at him suspiciously.

"Jamal who?"

"Jamal. The original songwriter of his new single."

The receptionist blinked.

Before she could respond, two security guards approached.

"Sir, you need to leave."

Jamal turned towards them.

"Listen, I just need five minutes with Zack."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Then you cannot go upstairs."

Jamal sighed.

"Can you at least inform his management that the person who wrote his latest song is here?"

The guards exchanged glances.

One of them chuckled.

"Another songwriter?"

"I'm not joking."

"Then you should have made an appointment."

Jamal opened his mouth to respond, but a familiar voice interrupted him.

"What's going on here?"

Everyone turned.

A tall man wearing an expensive navy-blue suit was approaching.

Jamal immediately recognized him.

It was Zack's personal manager, Martin.

He had seen the man several times in music interviews.

Martin looked at Jamal.

"Who is this?"

"He's claiming to be the songwriter of Mr. Effron's latest single," one of the guards answered.

Martin raised an eyebrow.

Then he looked at Jamal again.

"Come with me."

Jamal didn't hesitate. Finally, someone was willing to listen.

***********

Martin led him to a beautifully furnished office.

A large television hung on the wall, displaying Zack's latest music video.

Jamal's stomach tightened when he saw it.

"Take a seat," Martin instructed.

Jamal sat down while Martin remained standing, adjusting his expensive wristwatch.

"So, you're claiming to have written Zack's new song?"

"I didn't claim anything. I wrote it."

Martin smiled faintly.

"Do you have proof?"

"Of course. I have the original lyrics on my laptop, including the recording I made before the song was released."

"Interesting."

Jamal leaned forward.

"Where is Zack? I want to speak with him."

Martin ignored the question and walked towards his desk.

"How much do you want?"

Jamal frowned.

"What?"

"Money. How much do you want to forget about this entire situation?"

Jamal stared at him.

"Are you serious?"

Martin opened a drawer and brought out a cheque book.

"Listen, young man. I don't know what kind of financial situation you're in, but I can tell you that this is a very good opportunity for you."

He scribbled something on the cheque before sliding it across the table.

"$20,000."

Jamal looked down.

Twenty thousand dollars.

His eyes widened slightly.

That amount could clear his debts, pay his rent for several months and give him enough money to live comfortably.

But he quickly looked up.

"What is this?"

"Your compensation."

"For what?"

"For your inconvenience."

Jamal laughed bitterly.

"You're offering me twenty thousand dollars to forget that your artist stole my song?"

Martin's smile disappeared.

"Watch your words."

"Then give me a reason to speak nicely. Zack stole my work, and I want him to admit it."

Martin leaned against his desk.

"Young man, do you understand who you're dealing with?"

"I don't care."

"Zack Effron is one of the biggest artists in this country. He has millions of fans, influential business partners and some of the most powerful people in the entertainment industry behind him."

He pointed at the cheque.

"You're an unknown singer who performs in small bars. Do you honestly believe anyone will take your word over his?"

Jamal's jaw tightened.

"So because I'm poor, I don't deserve justice?"

"That's not what I said."

"Then what are you saying?"

Martin sighed.

"I'm offering you a way out. Take the money, sign a confidentiality agreement and move on with your life."

Jamal stared at him.

For a moment, he imagined what his life would look like with twenty thousand dollars.

Then he pushed the cheque back.

"I don't want your money."

Martin's eyebrows rose.

"Think carefully."

"I have spent three years working on that song. I wrote every single line. I stayed awake for nights trying to get the melody right. I went hungry because I wanted to finish it."

His voice trembled slightly.

"And now you expect me to take twenty thousand dollars and pretend I never wrote it?"

Martin's expression hardened.

"You're making a mistake."

"No. The mistake was trusting the wrong person."

Just then, the office door opened.

Jamal turned.

His entire body stiffened.

Zack Effron walked inside, holding a bottle of expensive water.

He wore a black designer jacket, matching trousers and a pair of sunglasses while Ranita followed behind him.

The moment she saw Jamal, her smile vanished.

"Jamal?"

Zack glanced between them.

"Who is this?"

Martin cleared his throat.

"The young man claiming to have written your latest single."

Zack chuckled. He raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Oh, him."

Jamal stood up immediately. "Finally. I've been looking for you."

Zack removed his sunglasses.

"Do I know you?"

"Don't play games with me. You know exactly who I am."

Zack looked at Ranita. She quickly moved closer to him.

"Baby, he's my ex-boyfriend."

Zack nodded slowly.

"Oh, now I understand."

He turned towards Jamal.

"So, what brings you here? Did you come to congratulate us?"

Jamal's face twisted.

"Congratulate you for stealing my song?"

Zack laughed.

"Your song?"

"Yes! The song you released three days ago. I wrote it!"

Ranita folded her arms.

"Jamal, please. Don't embarrass yourself."

He turned towards her.

"You should be the last person speaking here."

"Watch your tone!"

"You stole my song and gave it to him. You knew how much that song meant to me!"

Ranita rolled her eyes.

"Here we go again. Is that why you came here? To cry about a song?"

Jamal's fists tightened.

Zack placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, sweetheart. Let me handle this."

He looked at Jamal with an amused expression.

"Listen, I don't know what you've been telling yourself, but I don't steal songs. My team receives hundreds of musical submissions every week. If your song somehow sounds like mine, perhaps you should improve your writing."

Jamal couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You bastard!"

He took a step forward, but the security guards immediately blocked him.

Zack laughed.

"Careful. You wouldn't want to get yourself arrested."

Martin picked up the cheque.

"He's already been offered twenty thousand dollars. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem interested."

Zack glanced at the cheque and then he smiled.

"Twenty thousand?"

He shook his head, "That's too little."

He looked at Jamal.

"How much do you want?"

Jamal stared at him.

"Nothing from you."

"Fifty thousand?"

Silence.

Zack raised his offer.

"One hundred thousand dollars. That's enough to change your life, isn't it?"

Jamal's heart skipped.

One hundred thousand dollars.

He had never seen that amount of money in his entire life and even the system was no offering him that ridiculous amount of money.

Zack noticed his expression and smiled.

"Exactly. You see, I know you're struggling. I can even give you a job in my company if you want. But you have to stop running around claiming that I stole your song."

Ranita smiled.

"Take the money, Jamal. At least do something sensible for once."

He slowly turned towards her.

"You really think money can make me forget what you did?"

She shrugged.

"Money solves almost everything."

Jamal looked at the two of them.

The woman he had loved for three years and the man who had stolen his dream were standing together, offering him money to remain silent.

He felt something break inside him.

Then he slowly shook his head.

"Keep your money."

Zack's smile disappeared.

"What?"

"I said keep your money. I will make you regret stealing my song."

For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Zack burst into laughter.

"Martin, get him out of here."

The security guards grabbed Jamal by both arms.

"Let go of me!"

"You're trespassing. Leave before we call the police."

Jamal struggled, but they dragged him towards the entrance.

Behind him, he heard Zack laughing.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. People like him always disappear eventually."

Ranita said nothing.

The glass doors opened, and Jamal was pushed outside.

He stumbled slightly before regaining his balance.

His eyes were burning.

He looked through the glass and saw Zack kissing Ranita's forehead.

That was when he made himself a promise.

One day, those two would regret everything.

**************

Twenty minutes later.

Jamal sat on a wooden bench beside the road.

His head was lowered, and his hands were buried inside his pockets.

He had just rejected one hundred thousand dollars.

A part of him wondered whether he had made the right decision.

After all, he was broke.

He had debts waiting to be paid, and his landlord had already threatened to throw him out.

But he couldn't sell his dignity.

His phone suddenly vibrated.

DING!

Jamal frowned and brought it out.

A blue holographic screen appeared.

[WARNING!]

[BEGINNER'S MISSION IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE.]

[TIME REMAINING: 03 MINUTES.]

[HOST HAS NOT COMPLETED THE REQUIRED PERFORMANCE.]

Jamal's eyes widened.

"Oh, damn!"

He had completely forgotten about the system.

Another notification appeared.

[HOST, DO YOU STILL WISH TO CONTINUE?]

[FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE MISSION WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF YOUR BEGINNER'S REWARD.]

Jamal quickly stood up.

"Where am I supposed to sing in three minutes?"

He looked around.

People were walking past him. Cars were honking, and nobody seemed interested in what he was doing.

Then his eyes landed on a small street performance area a few metres away.

A young man was playing a guitar while a few pedestrians gathered around him.

Jamal immediately rushed towards the spot.

"Hey! Can I use your microphone?"

The young man looked at him strangely.

"What?"

"I need to sing. Just give me two minutes!"

"Are you crazy? I'm performing here."

Jamal reached into his pocket.

He had only a few dollars left.

"Please. I'll pay you."

The young man shook his head.

"Sorry, man. Find somewhere else."

Jamal's heart sank.

[WARNING!]

[TIME REMAINING: 01 MINUTE.]

He looked around desperately.

Then he noticed a small crowd gathering around a nearby street musician. Without thinking twice, he stepped forward.

"Excuse me! Can I have everyone's attention for a moment?"

A few people turned while one man frowned.

"What's going on?"

Jamal swallowed hard. He had no microphone, no speaker and no musical instrument but he had his voice.

He closed his eyes.

"Alright. Here goes nothing."

[30 SECONDS REMAINING.]

Jamal took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

The first note escaped his lips.

And the moment he began singing, the system suddenly responded.

[DING!]

[PERFORMANCE DETECTED!]

[ANALYZING VOCAL QUALITY...]

[PERFECT PITCH ACTIVATED!]

Jamal's eyes widened.

Something strange happened to his voice.

Every note became clearer. Every movement of his vocal cords felt natural, and the melody he had struggled to perfect suddenly flowed effortlessly.

People began turning towards him.

A woman stopped walking and a man lowered his phone.

Someone whispered, "Who is that guy?"

Jamal continued singing. He wasn't performing for Zack and he wasn't performing for Ranita.

For the first time that day, he was singing for himself.

[DING!]

[BEGINNER'S MISSION COMPLETED!]

[CONGRATULATIONS, HOST!]

[YOU HAVE RECEIVED $10,000.]

[PERFECT PITCH EXPERIENCE +50.]

[NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED: MUSICAL SHOP.]

Jamal's lips slowly curved into a smile.

Ten thousand dollars.

He had done it.

But before he could celebrate, another notification appeared.

[HOST, YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL MUSIC CHALLENGE IS NOW AVAILABLE.]

[WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT?]

Jamal stared at the screen in confusion. He was not sure what the system was asking for but one thing was certain.

If the system could give him ten thousand grand then he was going to become the best singer ever to walk the earth.

He thrust his hand into the air and with a single click, he sealed his fate.