Episode 9 - Settling Scores with Bro and the Trio's Future
[LOG SUMMARY]: The inevitable clash. In the claustrophobic walls of the recording studio, secrets are exposed, alliances shatter, and the trio collapses. Jo uncovers the harsh truth about Bro and Quel, sealing his fate. The birth of the Metal Lord begins with a single, irreversible system failure.
In the recording studio, Jo and Bro have a confidential conversation without Quel present. The atmosphere is hostile; Bro looks suspiciously at Jo, knowing he is already secretly dating her without Jo finding out yet.
Jo: Bro, we have to change the trio's direction. Me on electric guitar, you on bass, her on vocals... man... I don't think I'm liking this.
Bro: Huh... why? Quel sings perfectly well. I love it, by the way, besides her dressing very well for a pop-rock band.
Jo pins him against the wall and shouts:
Jo: YOU TWO ARE TOGETHER YES!!!!!!!! YOU CAN'T FOOL ME!!!!! TRAITOR!!!!!!! I TRUSTED YOU, MAN!!!!
Bro (startled, replies): Hey, man! Calm down... can't a guy compliment a woman anymore??? Do you have proof that I'm actually with her??? If so, show me NOW.
Jo (spiraling from his breakup with Quel): Uhh... no, but... I know you two have a good dynamic and it makes me kind of intrigued... Bro, please, man, don't hide anything from me!! Just open that log server with Quel and tell me with all your sincerity: Are you dating or not??
Bro, suspicious, tried to hide it, but since he had a conversation with Quel, he revealed the whole truth:
Bro: Yes. We are dating, but it's nothing official yet, because I gave her an ultimatum. You or me. If she chooses me, I will make the relationship public with no secrets. The choice will be hers, not mine.
Jo, knowing the truth, declares his terms to Bro:
Jo: If you two are together, then I'm abandoning the band. I won't stand seeing you and my ex together. You disgust me, Bro! You'll pay for this, traitor!! You stole the love of my life...
Bro (locking Jo's system): Hey, hey, who said I took Quel from you?? You're mistaken!! She prefers a softer rhythm, a shoegaze for example. She's not into heavy metal.
Jo lunged at him, grabbed Bro's shirt collar and said:
Jo: If she can't handle my Nu-metal rehearsals, then screw her and you! Tell her I'm out.
Bro (hearing his revelation, asked): Are you trying to tell me you're abandoning the group?? 😮 I don't see the big deal, Jo! You'll find a woman you'll be proud to have by your side! I'm rooting for that, man!! Have faith... I know the end of a relationship hurts, but that's how it works!
Jo (still heartbroken, said): But with me, it only works through abandonment... through ice... in coldness... If she decided to step out of my life, I will step out of the band and out of her life. I'll pack my bags and go far away. I'm going solo. 'Rest In Rust', Bro.
Bro (surprised by the revelation, says): I can't believe you're going to... 😡 Well... then... GET OUT! Lately you've been composing some Metal... Industrial... We had an alternative rock, shoegaze trio and you come to weigh us down with this dirty genre.
Bro tries to justify himself with cold logic:
Bro: The best configuration for the band, Jo, would be...
And Jo just looks at him and sees... CODE. He no longer sees a friend. He sees a soulless machine, turns his back and walks away, because contempt hurts more than hate.
💀[RUST ALERT]: GENDER UPDATE DETECTED
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