BLADESTORM

4.Eddie Fardel Charity Fundraiser

New episodes from Bladestorm: Mysteries of the Kung Fu Whistler

Ext. Fardel Well charity fundraiser. Night

As the night wore on and the party continued, Red Phoenix couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Spring Launcher was missing for days. The waiters continued to pass around trays of drinks, and the band on stage played on, seemingly oblivious they were reading lyrics on stage.

As Red Phoenix watched the naked woman slide down the blue water slide from the second story of the mansion into the infinity swimming pool, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This party was supposed to be a fundraiser for Fardel Well, "Get Charged!" A new spa resort owned by Fardel Enterprises, but it seemed more like an excuse for Eddie Fardel to push his own agenda.

Red Phoenix took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. "Look, Eddie, I appreciate the offer, but I can't sign something like that. Music is my life, and I won't let anyone take that away from me."

Eddie nodded and took another sip of his espresso. "I understand your concerns, Red. But we have to think about the bigger picture here. The world is changing, and we have to change with it."

Red Phoenix sighed and shook his head. "I don't know, Eddie. It just doesn't seem right."

Eddie leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Look, Red, I'm not asking you to give up music altogether. We just need to regulate it. We need to make sure that every note counts, that every performance is worth the energy it takes to produce it."

Red Phoenix furrowed his brow. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

Eddie grinned. "We have technology that can capture the vibration of high coherent informa and turn it into crystalline form. We can use that to incentivize musicians to produce better music, to conserve their energy and channel their Qi into more productive endeavors."

Red Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "And what about the musicians who don't want to play by your rules?"

Eddie's smile faded. "We'll have no choice but to outlaw them. It's the only way to save our world. But we won't outlaw you, Red, you're #1."

Red Phoenix stood up from his chaise lounge and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Eddie. I can't be a part of this. Music is about expression, not regulation. I won't let you and your brother take that away from me."

"We took it away from Spring Launcher. What's to stop us from taking it from you too?" Red Phoenix stood up to walk away. "I don't believe you. Spring would never turn."

Eddie said, "We are facing an energy crisis. Every watt of Qi counts. Let me know if you want to sign."

Red reached for the crystal agate hanging by the gold chain around his neck and raised it to his face. "Have you ever sang to a crystal, Eddie?"