“Here we are, guys.” Kassidy had driven the rental car they got when they arrived.

She pulls into the parking lot and parks next to an old 70’s van covered in playing cards. The van looked to be in perfect condition for an old van.

“I wonder if that van belongs to the owner?” Shawna gets out of the SUV and looks at the old van.

“Man, this van has been customized by an artist.” Tony was looking at the detail work of the pictures on the van.

“Well, every member of the Wildfire band is wealthy from playing music. So, they can afford to get the best work done.” Kassidy knew artists like
Aerosmith, Gun-n-Roses, and other famous bands made millions from the tours and albums they sold.

“I can’t wait until you guys start making that type of money.” Clair knew Jerry’s luck had changed from having Kassidy in the band.

“Well, it's just a matter of time before we start touring. Cynthia said that Dusty Gaskets Productions has several gigs lined up for us when we return from vacation.” Kassidy called Cynthia and informed her about the gig Rose got for them. Cynthia was thrilled and said she’d have a few more for them.

“Is she going to get us a major label?” Jerry was curious.

“She didn’t say, but if we play our cards right. I bet one of the major labels will pick us up.” Kassidy leads everyone into the store.

“Wow! I’m in guitar heaven.” Tony was looking at the different guitars for sale.

“You’re not joking.” Shawna spotted a few bass guitars that piqued her interest.

“Where is the drum section?” Jerry wanted to see what drums this store had for sale.

“They’re over in that section.” Richard Bachmann had heard the buzzer on the door buzz when the door opened. He had been in the back, tending to some business.

When he came out to check on who had just entered his store, he spotted three women and two men standing at the entrance looking at the instruments he had on display. He didn’t recognize any of them, but his niece Rose Wolfhart did call him and said some friends of hers were coming to his store and would need some instruments for a gig this weekend. Would he put their purchases or rentals on her account and give them the family discount?

Everyone turns around when they hear an older man’s voice. The voice has a British accent, and the man it belonged to stands a few feet from them. He has an old-style rocker look to him. He has a medium build and wears a suit that makes him look like a modern-day gambler.

“You must be Richard Bachmann, the Jack of Hearts from Wildfire.” A smile forms on Kassidy’s face.

“That I am, little lady. You must be my niece’s friend, Kassidy Foster.” Rose had given Richard a description of Kassidy.

“That’s me, sir. These are my bandmates. Jerry Johnson is the leader and drummer of our band. Our bass player, Shawna Evans. Next is our
lead guitar player, Tony White. Standing next to Jerry is his girlfriend, Clair Penn.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Clair holds her hand out to Richard.

Richard shakes Clair’s hand, followed by Jerry, Tony, and Shawna. He looks at all of them. “So, how long have all of you been playing?”

“Since high school, for me.” Shawna started playing the bass guitar in high school.

“Same for me,” Tony answers next.

“I’ve been playing the drums since middle school. I was in our school band.” Jerry smiles at Richard.

“How about you, Kassidy? Do you play any instruments, or are you strictly vocal?”

‘I play the guitar and synthesizer and sing as well. I’ve been chiefly singing since high school.” Kassidy learned to play the synthesizer from her spy mother.

“So, how do you know Rose?” Richard looks at the others.

“We haven’t met her yet, sir. Only Kassidy has.” Shawna wanted to meet Rose and her band.

“Oh?” Richard looks at Kassidy with a puzzled look on his face.

“I went to the same private school with Rose and her sisters, sir.” Kassidy liked the Wolfhart family.

“Ah! Well, that explains everything, then. Rose said you guys are on vacation and need instruments for a gig this weekend. Do you want to rent or buy?”

“That depends on what type of deal you can give us?” Jerry wouldn’t mind a backup set of drums.

“I think I can give you guys a good discount. After all, my niece said she would pay for everything. Why don’t you guys look around and see what interests you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bachmann.” Kassidy already spotted a guitar that grabbed her interest.

Jerry and Clair split from the group and checked out the drums for sale. Jerry noticed that Mr. Bachmann had a high-quality electronic drum set for sale. He grabbed a drummer's seat and looked towards Mr. Bachmann.

“Sir, would it be alright to try these out?” Jerry heard about the electronic drums and wanted to try them out.

“Sure, let me get you hooked up.” Richard walks over to the drum set and connects them. He grabs an amp from the back and hooks it up.

After everything is ready, Richard looks towards Jerry, “Give it a try.”

Jerry sits down and starts playing the electronic drums. He is having fun with them and has fallen in love with them.

Tony leans to Kassidy, “I think our fearless leader has found a new toy.”

“I think you’re right.” Kassidy watches Jerry as he enjoys himself.

While Tony looks at the guitars, Kassidy examines some of the synthesizers for sale. There was a four-synthesizer setup for sale. She usually plays the guitar at their gigs, but having a synthesizer set up in the band would work just as well.

Tony migrated over to the wall of guitars on display. Several of them looked interested, but two in particular caught his attention. The first one looked to be a custom-built one by Mr. Bachmann himself. He picked it up, loved how it felt in his hands, and hung it on his body. He plucked the strings and noticed it was a little out of tune. He tuned it up, plucking the strings again, and smiled.

He spots another one, a Fender Player Plus Telecaster. Tony takes the custom guitar off and examines the telecaster. He strokes the strings on it and loves how it sounds. He is torn between the two guitars and wonders if Mr. Bachmann will sell both of them to him.

Shawna found the selection of bass guitars and examined them. She spotted a jazz bass from Fender that she loved. It was like it was calling to Shawna. She walked over to it and picked it up off the display pegs. She hung it from her body and started stroking the strings.

She noticed someone had not tuned it properly and returned it. She tried it again and loved how it sounded. Shawna loved how it sounded and felt hanging on her body. A smile appears on her face as she heads towards the register with it.

After about two hours of looking around and getting all the equipment and accessories everyone needed for their instruments, Richard called them up and gave them the family discount of twenty percent off. The total came to twenty-five thousand dollars.

“Man, I didn’t think we spent that much.” Jerry looks at the total.

“The drum set and synthesizer set up is what did it. The three guitars only came to two thousand dollars. The rest is between you and Kassidy.” A smile appears on Richard’s face.

“Man, Rose is going to kill me.” Kassidy could already hear Rose complaining about the money they just spent.

“Don’t worry about it, Kassidy. She’s good, for it. Where do you want me to deliver everything else to?”

How about the Forbidden Forest Club?” Kassidy figures it would save them time.

“I can do that. Leave your synthesizers here. I’ll have my men set everything up for you.” Richard figures he could do that much for them.

“Can we use your men after we're done?” Kassidy looks at Richard when she asks that question.

“I think I can help you guys out. I can also help ship everything back to your home studio.”

“That would be a big help.” Jerry was wondering how they were going to get everything back.

“What time is your gig?” Richard pulls out a piece of paper and pen to write down the information.

“Here you go.” Kassidy shares the information she was given with Richard.

Richard copies everything down. When he is done, he looks at them. “I’ll have everything ready for you to start practicing.”

“Thanks, Mr. Bachmann.” Kassidy smiles sweetly at Richard.

“Now, all we need is an outfit for the next three nights.” As Kassidy leads everyone out of the store.

“I thought you had us covered for that?” Clair looks towards Kassidy.

“I do, it’s our next stop.” As Kassidy unlocks the SUV.