Hard Fucking Death Core

INTRODUCTION

"Thank you very much, Iselen, you're doing this magazine a considerable favour."

"This is my job," I answer smiling shyly but my boss shakes her head and leans her elbows on the desk covered with documents and folders. Her flashy auburn hair looks a bit less bright than usual today despite lights pours in through the wide windows of her office, the sky outside is grey and cold rain runs down the glass matching Vanessa's sombre mood; she's the director of the most popular cultural magazine in my country. My boss has a reputation for being lovely and friendly but she's a shark deep inside, otherwise she wouldn't have reached such an important position in her career.

"No, your job is to go to the opera and the theatre and write articles about it, this is totally different... at least you have music studies, I guess that could help... I don't know. The truth is that I need you, Iselen, I can't believe we got this amazing opportunity to follow them during their tour... I had to move heaven and earth to make it happen, made dozens of phone calls, I even threatened and blackmailed Vincent till he agreed to give you a trial period... I've met HFDC manager long time ago and we respect each other, I guess that was an advantage... but she has the final say... she always has it."

"Ruby Rose?" My boss nods and frowns when hearing the name. "I understand that she's the leader of the Hard Fucking Death Core band, she writes most of the songs and music, her talent seems to come from another world... but she's part of a bigger team... the other girls have something to say concerning decision-making surely, haven't them?" Vanessa smiles amused watching my confused face.

"HFDC is not a democracy. The other girls will obey Ruby always because she's led them to success in a competitive world where electric guitars aren't a trend anymore and classic rock and roll it's a boomers' thing... However, Ruby's talent turned them into stars, they're earning millions, you can hear their songs everywhere, they've sold out the tickets for their concerts in less than 4 minutes, they have beaten all records in terms of followers on Instagram and YouTube, young people want more and more of them... The Hardcores are one of those never-before-seen phenomena... Social media, music and showbiz experts can't explain it..."

"It's because they're rebels... they don't give a fuck and are true to themselves in a politically correct world where everybody eats kiwi and vegan cheese... Sex, drugs and rock and roll... it feels like living in the 70s again and they don't care about other people's opinion, they show what they do and who they're and make fun of censorship. Every time Instagram delete one of their posts because they show their boobs, or because they smoke weed, or because curses fall from their lips more often than normal words... they only manage to boost their popularity. MTV has given up, they used to broadcast their videos every night but now they do it no matter what time it is, even if they're +18, most of 14-years old girls find them available on other platforms anyways and they watch them avidly... They're refreshing, I guess. Ruby Rose is the woman we'd all want to be, speaking like she does and singing without caring about the consequences... but we can't do that because we risk losing our jobs and friends and our families would disown us."

"Oh, God, if I said what I really think about them on people's faces... I'd be ruined... but damn, it'd be so satisfying. Anyway, you'll go on tour with them, interview them recording videos, you'll live with them 24/7... given the way they behave usually... it'll be a challenge for you. Are you sure you can do this? Vincent has emphasized the fact that Ruby would only approve a journalist if she's a woman, in case she approves you but that's not clear yet, and you're the only one available with music knowledge. I can't send one of those frivolous blondes who are in charge of going to movie premieres and drool over popular actors while interviewing them... Although they'd love to since they drool over the Hardcores too even if most of my employees aren't gay... but they won't last a second in front of wild Ruby and her friends."

"It's okay, due to my personal life circumstances it's a good moment to travel and leave everything behind right now... the extra salary you're going to give me is very generous and you'll pay all my expenses..."

"Yes, you have a room booked in every hotel where they stay, plane tickets and everything you could need... You'll travel with them on the tour bus most of the time. Listen, Iselen, I don't know what kind of personal problems you're having but... if you don't want to do this, I can give you holidays and..." Vanessa looks at me worried and I shake my head, we've been working together for the past 4 years and she believes she knows me well but she has no idea of what's going on, no one knows actually.

"I can do it, I'm an adult woman, I won't be shocked... If those girls want to kill themselves drinking and doing drugs it's their problem, I won't let them influence me, I'm just a witness. I won't judge them or fall under their spell... I'm not even gay so don't worry, I know some fans believe Ruby is some kind of witch who escaped from hell and Satan himself favours her... but she won't be able to bewitch me."

"All right, if that's what you think... although I've interviewed her once and she's absolutely fascinating, there's something about her that... I don't know... Anyway, I'm happy you can do this job for me, you'll send us an article every week. God, this will be a hit..." My boss smiles like the cat that got the cream and waves her hand to say goodbye. "You'll have to be in Paris next Friday, Vincent will send a car to pick you up at the airport, try and make a good impression... You'll have to study all the information about the HFDC available on the net and pack your things."

"What should I wear to go on tour with a rock band?" I mumble while getting up from the chair but Vanessa has heard me and laughs amused.

"Black T-shirts and biker boots... don't forget your leather jacket... You have a leather jacket, don't you?" My boss stares at me in disbelief while I grimace: it's not my fault, Perfecto jackets aren't a trend among opera singers I usually interview. "I'll call the magazine stylists and they'll go shopping with you... you can't show up looking like that in front of Ruby Rose..."

"Eh! I paid a fortune for this Armani jacket even if it was on sale..." I complain pointing at my plain dark blue suit.

"Too conventional," my boss scrunches her nose in displeasure despite she's wearing a grey Carolina Herrera suit. I shake my head frustrated and leave the office ready to spend some months touring around Europe with a rock and roll band... The dream of a groupie... and my way out.