บท 61: Chapter 61: Visual shock part 3
Geon Kim observed the busy steps of the special makeup team with a vacant expression.
The makeup artists, left without tasks due to the director's sudden order to halt all makeup, break down the set, and rebuild it, were now waiting outside the studio due to set construction.
Catherine, now feeling like a spare part after Geon Kim accompanied Manson and Twiggy to the recording studio, leaned against the studio's outer wall, awaiting further instructions.
"Director Tim Burton sure has quite the execution power. Kay as well, modifying sheet music on the spot? And now Marilyn Manson's band is re-recording amidst this chaos..."
*Phone vibrates*
Feeling the vibration in her pocket, Catherine searched for her phone and saw 'Maria Shriver' on the screen.
"Maria, hi!"
A slightly husky female voice came through the phone.
"Hey, Catherine. How have you been?"
"I've been good. How about you? It's been ages since your divorce, and this is our first contact."
"Oh, sorry. You know how it is. I've been busy."
"Ah, don't worry, sis. But what brings you here?"
"Well, I heard you're at Marilyn Manson's music video shoot?"
"Yeah, I'm under contract with Interscope. How did you find out?"
"Am I just a journalist in your eyes?"
"Oh, right! You were a journalist. Wait, you came back after the divorce? You vanished."
"Yeah, I have to make a living. That's not the issue. Give me some info on Kay."
"Ah, sis, that might be a bit tricky..."
"Listen, if you get me something on Kay now, it's a real scoop. I can't find anything about where she's hiding. Tim Burton's a tough nut to crack around the studio. Just toss me a bone, help me out. I'll owe you one for my comeback."
"Um... I shouldn't really say..."
"Fine, if I help you this time, I'll arrange for you to spend your summer vacation in my Miami mansion. Deal?"
"Really? Can I use the pool too? Oh, can I bring my friends?"
"Yeah, I'll even get a chef. Just bring yourself."
"But... I signed an NDA when I signed the contract..."
"Don't worry. If this mess gets you fired and blacklisted, I'll take responsibility for your future. Come with me. Makeup artists are always needed. If not, I'll talk to our company's anchors to ensure they cover for you."
"Um... that's still scary..."
"Forget that. I'll talk to my higher-ups and pull you into our broadcasting company! Deal?"
"O.K., deal! But Kay isn't here right now, sis."
"Why? There were rumors about her appearing in the music video?"
"Yeah, but she's at the studio now, rearranging a new song on the spot. Marilyn Manson went to the studio to record it."
"What? Wasn't the album already finished?"
"I thought so too, but they're re-recording one song. Since it's a single, it doesn't matter much."
"Wait a second!"
The keyboard sound on the other side indicated she was instantly getting into article-writing mode.
"Ah, sorry. So, Marilyn Manson and Kay went to the studio to record a new song?"
"Yes, sis."
"And... what's the name of this new song?"
"The new song... 'Sad Devil Gamagin.'"
"Great! Other than the video shoot, was there anything else happening?"
"Well, Kay finished her part, but suddenly, Director Tim Burton flipped the entire set. They're reshooting at another set."
"That's not big news. Got it! Thanks. Let's catch up when I visit my mansion this summer!"
"Sure thing, sis. You better keep your promise!"
"Haha, don't worry. I'll inform my butler. Gotta go now. Thank you!"
As Catherine sat hunched, searching for news, an article appeared within 15 minutes.
"Music Editor 'Genius Kay' Producing Marilyn Manson!"
[Washington Post - Maria Shriver]
Shock rocker Marilyn Manson of Industrial Metal band announces new single album 'Sad Devil Gamagin.'
After the 2015 release of 'The Pale Emperor,' Marilyn Manson returns with a new album. The remastered music video features 'Kay,' the music editor from the film 'Scissorhands,' causing a buzz.
According to sources, Marilyn Manson halted filming after Kay improvised a new song on-site, deciding to re-record it. The song, currently being clandestinely re-recorded in a secret studio, is expected to be reborn under Kay's brilliance.
Meanwhile, Professor Mo cautioned that Manson's anti-Christian and highly controversial performances should be approached cautiously.
However, he stated that protests and boycotts during such events only serve as noise marketing, hoping that Christians won't engage.
[Unauthorized reproduction prohibited]
The article quickly garnered over 100,000 views and was rapidly gaining more. As Catherine excitedly discussed summer vacation plans with her friends over the phone, Geon sat in the Red House Studio workshop on Washington 5th Avenue Northwest, observing bands inside the recording studio.
Manson and Twiggy swiftly set up instruments while Geon watched from inside the recording room, with the engineer outside. Manson turned to the white engineer beside Geon.
"Dominic, since Kay's producing today, can you help with the mic setup in the studio?"
After a brief glance at Geon, Dominic replied.
"Okay, Mr. Manson. Kay? This red button here turns off the amp, and if you press the green button on the mic here on the table, your voice will be heard inside the recording studio. Got it?"
Geon manipulated the microphone, testing it out before speaking.
"Oh, like this? Mr. Manson, can you hear me?"
Manson, who had entered the recording studio carrying a guitar, made a circular gesture with his finger, signaling that he could hear. After Geon checked the sheet music next to him, he spoke into the microphone.
"Let's try recording. Mr. Ramirez, for the arpeggio in the first part, I think it'd be better to go with the bass rather than electric. It's a beautiful melody, but it needs to hint at the chaos and darkness that follows."
Twiggy nodded understandingly and began playing. When the engineer raised the bass sound on the amp a moment later, Twiggy's haunting bass flowed out through the speakers. Geon, with a smile forming on his lips as he closed his eyes and focused, listened intently. Twiggy, seeing Geon's brighter expression, felt energized and continued playing.
The bass track was recorded in one go. Next was Daniel's drum recording for the keyboard tour session. After flawlessly recording the drum part three times, Geon spoke up.
"Next is Paul Wiley. We'll record the electric guitar part."
As Paul, seated in the recording studio chair, engaged the distortion, Geon instructed:
"Please connect the wah pedal too, Wiley."
Wiley nodded and pulled out another jack to connect the wah pedal. Seeing this, Dominic checked the electric guitar part on the PC screen and gave the cue sign. As the interstitial rock's distorted sound filled the space, Manson, seated in a chair, couldn't help but get excited. While the changes in the song weren't massive compared to the original, the touch of Kay's hand made Manson feel the excitement of their early days.
After Paul Wiley's guitar performance ended, Geon's expression turned slightly serious. All the members noticed Geon, who was pondering with his finger on his chin. As Geon seemed lost in thought, Manson and Twiggy began observing him. Geon started marking something on the sheet music using a pen, prompting Paul Wiley to ask, puzzled:
"What are you doing? Are you arranging something again?"
Manson said, shaking his head.
"I don't know either. Let's just wait. In any case, even if we finish recording the guitar part and the vocals later, the mastering will take place tonight, so the song will be out by then."
As the members focused their gaze on Geon while waiting, he suddenly stood up and entered the recording studio. Geon held the 'Haku,' his white falcon guitar, in his hands. After unplugging the jack from Paul Wiley's guitar and connecting it to Haku, Geon said:
"I made some adjustments to the Edrip part. Dominic! Please play the track from 2 minutes and 17 seconds!"
Dominic outside nodded and operated the device to play the track at 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Geon stood, nodding along to the beat, before beginning to play the guitar solo section. It wasn't a particularly challenging or fast-paced solo, but capturing that feeling was incredibly difficult. Though it lasted for about 20 seconds, Paul Wiley, watching it, shook his head and commented:
"Phew, you'd need at least three days to pull that off. I don't think I can get that feel right away."
Upon hearing Dominic's words and noticing Geon's concerned expression, Manson spoke, looking at Geon.
"Kay, if we can't shoot the music video tonight, it'll be a loss. Our album release schedule will be affected too."
As Geon continued pondering while looking at the sheet music, Twiggy intervened.
"Wouldn't it be better if Kay tried playing it himself? I'll vouch for him."
Manson spoke with a delighted expression.
"Oh! That's a good idea! Kay! How about it? Not joining the band permanently, just come in as a session member since Paul doesn't have time to practice. We won't ask you to join the tour! Deal?"
Geon hesitated for a moment.
"Well, it's not like I'm joining the band, and I don't have time. It's a shame to let the song go like this. Maybe it's good for me to record it myself."
As Geon hinted at his consent, Manson and Twiggy cheered and gestured to Dominic.
"Great! Dominic! Let's record right away!"
Although everyone signaled the completion of the recording after the subsequent tracks, Geon, not satisfied, recorded four more times. After recording his part, Geon said to Manson:
"We only need to record the vocal part, and since it hasn't changed from the original, we can use the previous recording. Recording complete. Great job, everyone."
As Geon left the recording studio to discuss with Dominic, Manson picked up the phone and made a call somewhere.
"Hi, Team. We're done with the recording."
"What? Is the recording finished that quickly?"
"We had already completed the album production once, and maybe because we practiced a lot before, it didn't take long. We decided to use the original vocal track. How's the set for shooting?"
"Ah, it might run late into the night or even dawn. What should we do? Shoot tonight?"
"No, once we start mastering, it'll probably finish late tonight or early morning. Let's shoot tomorrow morning."
"Got it, come to the studio by 9 a.m. tomorrow."
"Oh! And Team, Kay participated in this recording."
"Oh? Really? What instrument? Guitar?"
"Yes, just the lead guitar solo part."
"Oh, okay. Hmm... then it's better for Kay to be in the shot for that part. Call Kay tomorrow too."
"Sure thing. See you tomorrow!"
Manson exclaimed happily:
"Let's go! Let's have a drink on a day like this!"
A residential area on West 68th Street in New York.
"Jennifer, Cloren! Still no news today?"
Jennifer, lying on her bed and looking at her tablet, brushed her blonde hair behind her ear and said gloomily.
"No, nothing. Ugh, what's he up to? He's not at Dante Park either."
Cloren, lying beside her, rolled over on the bed and replied.
"It's been a month already. Maybe he's just not coming to Dante Park anymore? Could it be because we kept bothering him to sing whenever we saw him? Maybe we went too far..."
Kayla wedged herself into the limited space left on the bed and spoke.
"No way! You've seen how kind he is, even when we nagged for songs, he'd sing happily like an angel. Can't imagine him not showing up without a reason. Maybe he's unwell? Should we check the hospital?"
Jennifer blinked thoughtfully.
"Hey, ease up or you'll be labeled a stalker. Why go checking hospitals, seriously."
Kayla sat up, stretching her torso, and retorted.
"Oh, what do we do then? I'll catch lovesickness at this rate! I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!! Just come out!"
Jennifer, watching Kayla toss and turn on the bed, looked incredulous and turned to Cloren.
"Hasn't the video been uploaded yet?"
Cloren pushed up the video list on the tablet and shook her head.
"No, it hasn't. There are 59 videos up now, and the last one was uploaded a month ago."
Cloren tapped the home button on YouTube, and the screen switched, showing recommended videos at the top. Looking at a still from the video, Cloren remarked.
"Hey, Marilyn Manson's back! His music video's up."
Kayla shuddered, shaking her body.
"I hate them! Just watching gives me chills. There are cool demons and handsome ones, but Manson looks genuinely sinister, ugly!"
Jennifer nodded in agreement, tying her hair as she got off the bed.
"I'm not interested either. Kayla, let's make oatmeal or something, I'm hungry."
As Jennifer and Kayla left the bedroom, Cloren, who had been alone on the bed, started playing Marilyn Manson's new music video. Watching with little expectation, her eyes widened.
"Hey!!!!!!!! Jennifer!!! Kayla!!!!!! Something amazing! Something amazing!"
Cloren yelled, catching Jennifer's attention in the kitchen.
"What? What's up? I've got a frying pan on, speak up!"
Cloren rushed from the bed to the kitchen, holding the paused video.
"Vampire Prince!!! Vampire Prince!!! Here, here!!!"
"What, what!!??"
Jennifer, holding the hot frying pan, came running. Kayla, seemingly in the bathroom, rushed out with the sound of running water, joining them.
"Where, where!!! A new video up? At Dante Park?"
Cloren wildly gestured, looking excited.
"No, no!!! It's Marilyn Manson's new music video!"
Jennifer widened her eyes, asking eagerly.
"What? Marilyn Manson? The one with Vampire Prince? Did he become a celebrity?"
On the screen, a stunningly beautiful boy, living in a small but peaceful countryside village, appeared. He interacted cheerfully with the villagers, had a warm mother and a kind father waiting at home. Leading an extraordinarily happy life, the boy with a dazzling smile spent an ordinary day.
Night fell. The door to the boy's room suddenly burst open, revealing a startled and sweaty mother. Seeing the boy, she widened her eyes and gestured with her index finger on her lips. Sensing something wrong with the shocked mother's expression, the boy turned to look out the window.
Simultaneously, the bass began with an ominous arpeggio. As the terrified eyes of the boy filled the screen, Marilyn Manson's distinctive vocals echoed.
"There was a boy so beautiful"
Outside the window, a group of thieves on horseback chased and killed the fleeing villagers with swords and knives. People screamed for mercy, their chests pierced by the cold steel, revealing the end of their lives. The boy's father urgently opened the door, saying something to the boy. Tearfully, the boy shook his head vehemently, but all he could do was watch as his father yelled, locking him in the barn and leaving with his mother.
"The day when the curse was darker than darkness"
Peeking through a small crack in the barn, the boy witnessed his father being stabbed with a spear by a dirty-faced thief with a sinister laugh. His mother, staggering backward, hit her head on a rock tied to a rope being swung by the thief, covering herself in blood. As she fell, her eyes met the hidden boy in the barn.
Tears streamed endlessly from the boy's eyes. As darkness enveloped and the surroundings grew silent, a dazzling angel with golden wings descended in front of the sobbing boy by his mother's body. Though the face was unseen, the angel shimmered with radiance all over. Extending a hand to the tear-streaked boy, the angel guided him, and they soared into the sky together.
Lucifer reached out to the boy.
The boy went to heaven with Lucifer
The angelic boy wished for everyone's happiness
The boy's worn-out green clothes transformed into dazzling white garments, his back splitting open to reveal golden wings. The camera panned from tear-streaked expression to a radiant smile on the boy's face, turning into that of an angel, strolling endlessly through a peaceful paradise while the angels played their trumpets.
Suddenly, the video paused, and Cloren, taken aback, looked at Jennifer, gripping her tablet.
"Whoa! I think I'm having a heart attack, let's take a breather, just a moment, *huff* *huff*!"
Kayla, nodding in agreement, clutched her left chest. "Wow, every time I laugh, I get this sensation, feels like my heart's skipping a beat for real."
Cloren waved his hand, exclaiming, "Oh, come on! Hurry back! I'm dying to know what happens next, can you hit play?"
Pressing the play button, the screen abruptly faded to black, then flashed to a modern, sleek, luxurious empty office space. As Cloren chuckled, the camera zoomed in on a white round clock mounted on the wall. At 11:59:58, precisely as the clock struck 12, the office door swung open.
Four men, impeccably dressed, entered the office with composed steps. Kayla, still fixated on the screen, exclaimed in surprise, "What? Is this Marilyn Manson? Why aren't they in makeup?"
"Seriously? They always show up looking like a dough mixture, don't they?"
"No wonder they seem just like ordinary folks now. It's refreshing."
Manson, sporting horned glasses and checking his wristwatch, stood on screen. Suddenly, as the music played again, the band members, frozen in place with their instruments, exploded into vigorous stage actions.
The scene shifted back to the beautiful angelic boy soaring amidst radiant angels. As the angel gestured, numerous angels armed with bows and swords appeared. Leading them, the radiant angel stepped forward, extending a hand to the boy.
With a bright smile, the innocent-looking boy took his hand.
The scene transitioned again to a thrilling battle among the angels, filling the screen with spectacle. Angels with wings clashed in the sky, while wingless ones on the ground fought fiercely. The boy approached the radiant angel with a spear and sliced through another angel's abdomen.
As the spear pierced the figure and tears fell from the dying angel's eyes onto the blade, the golden spear turned dark from the tip, gradually enveloping the shaft. The darkness that saturated the spear extended to the boy's clothing as he stared at his bloodstained hands.
The camera focused on the boy's face, no longer resembling that of an angel. His features contorted, eyes and lips turned red. As the screaming boy's image receded, demons roared out from behind him.
The swarm of demons emerging from the boy's shadow cut through the group of angels ahead. A relentless battle of killing and being killed ensued. Drenched in golden blood, the boy, wearing a grim expression, gazed at his blood-stained hands.
"The boy wandered through the bounds of death, on the earth full of sin, with the soul expelled. The endless battle and the unstoppable boredom of immortality have made the boy oblivious."
The boy asked Lucifer, "Is this right?"
The scene shifted back to Manson's band in the office, focusing on Manson as his face gradually turned white from the tip of his nose. The white hue spread, revealing Manson's signature demonic makeup, casting light on the entire band.
Manson, gripping the mic stand with an eerie expression, sang, "Come with me, let them fall. Lead them out of His light. Now is the time to forget him."
As Manson's vocal part ended, the relentless guitar noise ceased, leaving only the bass and drums. Then, a dazzlingly white guitar slowly emerged from the headstock, emanating a brilliant white light.
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