Guitar Hero – by BR.

Read part 1, Producers Cut

“So, what will it be, Taylor?”

Taylor answered: “No, not for me. While it is tempting to teach the little weasel a lesson, I don’t want to be him. Maybe there is a better solution…”

And with that, Taylor and Mr. Williams went into the other room.



Matt was a great musician. Not much to look at and not much to listen to when he tried to sing, but there was no denying his talent when he played his piano. The piano became an extension of the man, exuding any emotion the music required. There was no style of music Matt couldn’t play – classical, modern, fast or slow tempo – anything. Matt was painfully shy about playing in public, however. He had no confidence in front of people.

Taylor had met Matt at a party after one of Devil Blue’s gigs. The two men had bonded fast and were very close. Taylor had even written songs for Matt to play. Brent was jealous because of Taylor’s complete trust and loyalty to Matt. There is nothing Taylor wouldn’t do for Matt and visa versa. Matt could be trusted not to screw Taylor like Brent would in a heartbeat.

Taylor invited Matt over to the house while Mr. Williams was still there. Taylor wanted Craig to meet Matt and help him find a pathway to success in the music business.

“Would anyone like a beer?” Taylor asked.

“Sounds good to me.” Matt said.

“Hey, Taylor, where’s the john?” Craig inquired.

“Through the kitchen and to the right. Come with me and I’ll show you.”

A short while later Taylor and Craig returned with glasses of beer. Taylor handed one to Matt, which he promptly downed. Matt tried to stand up to stretch but found he was rather dizzy. Suddenly he fainted and fell to the floor.

Taylor and Craig started to put their plan into motion. Craig quickly mixed some special powder into water and drew the solution into a syringe he had brought with him. He then injected Matt with the needle. Taylor helped Craig move Matt to where Brent was still out on the floor. The solution had done its job. The two men maneuvered Matt into Brent’s unconscious body. Once done, Matt would be Brent totally with no going back. Taylor wanted to give his buddy a very unique gift – Brent. Now all Taylor and Craig had to do was wait for Brent to wake up.

“Where am I?” Matt asked when he came to. Wait a minute, that didn’t sound like his voice. “What is going on?”

“Sit down, Matt. We’ll explain everything to you.” Taylor told his very confused friend.

“You remember Brent, the good looking singer from our band Devil Blue? Well, the little weasel decided he would double cross me out of a major deal with Craig here. Long story short, Craig found out Brent was trying to screw us both so he decided to deal with him.” Taylor paused and Craig continued.

“I came to Taylor with a proposition. I am in possession of knowledge on how to become somebody else. Not exactly body swapping. More like body possession. I use it on potential clients to find out their motivations or truths if I think they are trying to screw me over. Brent was such a person. When I found out he was taking credit for Taylor’s music, I asked Taylor if he would like to become Brent. He would have all of Brent’s looks and talent as well as his own. He, however, decided to turn my offer down. He had a better plan in mind, one I was in complete agreement with.”

“So,” Taylor continued, “I got you to come over here. You are my closest friend. Someone I would trust with my very life. We had to knock you out so we could surprise you.”

“Surprise me with what?” Matt asked, still not used to his new voice. He had an inkling of what Taylor and Craig were getting to but he didn’t want to believe it.

“Man, you are really playing dumb tonight, Matt. We put you into Brent’s body. You’re now Brent Casters, the gorgeous lead singer of Devil Blue. You have Brent’s talents and looks plus your own abilities. Just think what our band is capable of now.”

With that, Taylor brought a mirror over to Matt. There, staring back at him was Brent. He really was Brent Casters now. He knew everything about Brent but he also retained his own memories and abilities. Matt couldn’t get over seeing Brent’s reflection.

“Sorry, bro. There is no going back to being Matt anymore. You are Brent for good. But think of all the positives you get. You have a great voice, a very handsome body that girls and guys alike will kill for, and a future in a band where you can express your talent. Plus we will make a ton of money for us both and Craig. What do you have to say, Brent?”

“Where do I sign up, Taylor?” Brent asked excitedly.

And with that Devil Blue had a new lead singer who could write and play music as well as perform. Taylor had his best friend beside him in the band. Craig, well, he had a new hit band on his roster of musical talent that was going to make him very rich.