Author: Merrianna

Story: When an Artist Takes a Fall!: Prologue: 0 of ?

Series: n/a

Characters: The Misfits, The Stingers, Jem and the Holograms, Starlight Girls, and the extras from the show. Mine of course are the villains and some other made up artists.

Rating: R

Summary: The Misfits are in for it this time. What happens when one of their band members does something incredibly brave or foolish. Are the Misfits done for or will they be able to make it back to the top.

Setting: This after the last episode.

Spoiler: none given

Category: Adventure, Romance and Humor

Note: I'd like to thank Tara LJC O'Shea for inspiring me to be able to write this story. Disclaimer: I don't in any way own the series JEM. Those are the sole property of Marvel, Hasboro and Rhino.

Distribution: Please ask first?

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. merriannadragon@yahoo.com

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/samwise_baggins/index.html

When an Artist Takes a Fall
By Merrianna(Radical Edge)

You play all right chords
Sing all the notes from the heart
Moving to the music to stir the crowd up
But all that doesn't save you from competition
They're trying to take you down

There's always someone ready to
Take your place it happens all the time
When an artist takes a fall
The lyrics stop coming
Your new album is a bust
It didn't even make to the top ten

The girl you ignored is now
On the rise where you used to be
You could tell her that it's rough
On the way up to the top
But the crash to come is worse in the end

There's always someone ready to
Take your place it happens all the time
When an artist takes a fall
The lyrics stop coming
Your new album is a bust
It didn't even make to the top ten

Oh yeah it happens all the time
An artist takes a fall
Ooh yeah lyrics stop comin
The album is a bust

Aah huh couldn't even make the top
Yeah heah An artist takes a fall

Eric Raymond's face was furrowed into an irritated frown as he paced his opulent office at Stinger Sound. His eyes went back to the folder that lay on his polished desk. He couldn't believe that his supposed silent partner had signed a very unknown band that hadn't even toured let alone caught the eye of any other music company. Who was the man fooling, these wannabes wouldn't last an hour as the opening act for the Misfits. His thoughts kept returning to the fact that the blond singer didn't have the right to sign anybody to their label without his okay. He seethed with anger until he grabbed up the file and brusquely walked out of his office to confront the man himself.

The slamming of his door startled his secretary, Rochelle, making her run her red nail polish down her hand. She watched bewildered as her employer stormed down the hall to his partner's office door. She sighed and looked for the nail polish remover to take the color from her skin.

The crashing of Riot's door had the blond haired man looking up from work that was splayed out on his desk. A look of annoyance marred the usually perfect features at the interruption, not to mention the damage the door had caused to his office wall.

"What is the meaning of this?" The black haired man demanded as he threw down the file he had brought in with him.

Riot's expression didn't change as he looked at the folder that had scattered his papers into each other and onto the floor. "From its appearance, it looks to be a file." His voice held menace as he arranged his work back into a semblance of order.

With a disgruntled growl, the music businessman asked more direct questions through clenched teeth. "When and by what right, did you sign new talent to this company?"

"Seeing as you own half of the company I will deem to answer those questions. One: "when" was the other night when I took in the show that they were performing at "The Scene". Two: I have just as much right to sign new artists as you do, Eric. But that's not why you're really here. You're ticked off because I signed someone without your knowledge, which you have done to me on more than one occasion." He watched as the wind went out of the other man's sails. Riot delighted in frustrating Raymond, whether through owning half of the man's company or proving to the obnoxious idiot that he, Riot, wasn't as dumb as the record producer thought he was.

"Do you really think that these nobodies will be able to work with the Misfits?" Eric sneered.

"The nobodies you refer to aren't like your prima donnas, whimpering at the least amount of discomfort they might have to endure so they can play," the blond retaliated.

Eric slammed his hands down on the glass desk glaring at younger man with obvious dislike. "The Misfits could outplay those girls you think are so great."

Standing up, Riot leaned across his desk, so that he looked directly into the dark-haired man's eyes. "That sounds suspiciously like a challenge."

"Now, now, Riot there's no need to get worked up." The Misfits' manager backed up defensivly, his arms raised in a warding posture for he wasn't one for getting into physical scuffles.

The blond walked around his desk to lean against its gleaming surface. "Would you like to place a wager on the out come of that?" the question came with a sparkle in the younger man's eyes.

Eric straightened his tie while trying to reclaim some of his earlier arrogance, putting his brief act of cowardice aside. "What do you have in mind?" The mere thought of the rock star losing some of his flawlessness was quite appealing. 'If only to finally put the annoying "Adonis" in his place.'

"Ooh, just a little bet on whether or not my band can hold out on the last three engagements of the Misfits Tour. With let's say six months of me or you not being able to interfere with the operations of the company. All decisions will be met with automatic approval." Riot's voice held a nonchalance to it that could be mistaken for a lack of seriousness for the subject.

Eric contemplated what Riot was offering; it seemed like a good deal but... "Let's add that if your band backs out even one time their contract will be dropped."

Frowning, Riot pondered the addition that Raymond wanted to make to his proposed wager. He was sure that Radical and the girls would be able to hold together for the three engagements... but if they lost with Eric's addition... but he couldn't back down now. He had started the thing and he wouldn't let himself appear to be weak in front of the pompous ass. "Let's make it a year and the girls lose their contract, but the Misfits will have to open for the Stinger's next tour."

Eric's own eyes gleamed with the renewed glee of one about to pull off a big score. "You have yourself a deal: a year of non-interference from the loser. Your band is dropped from the company if they miss even one event, and the Misfits are the opening act if the newbies stay for all three gigs."

"Well then let's shake on it and I'll have Rochelle draw up papers to be notarized." Riot held out a well-manicured hand. Eric hesitated at the mention of paperwork, but with an arrogant smile he shook the blond rock star's hand. He winced at the grip that the Stingers lead singer had.

Eric's one pleasant thought as he left was, "Those girls will be running for the hills after the Misfits are done with them.'

Leaning across his desk, Riot dialed a well-known phone number. "Morning, Sweets."