Sidequest 12
Devil May Cry
Following the events of decade of isolation.
I had given up all hope of getting anyone to let alone 'hear out' my DLC music concept, forget finding anyone interested in developing it.
I was in T.O. shopping with mother.
She dropped a foreshadowing hint I completely missed. "What do you think of the Gene Simmons Vault experience?"
Me "That would be cool! But that should go to a true fan, someone who really wants it."
That year for Christmas I got a golden ticket that seemed straight out of a Dr. Seuss movie.
Classic Chris. I didn't get excited for it, I didn't dig into a ton of Kiss music, nothing. I was the same old depressed sloppy mess that can't enjoy anything or have fun. I did not enjoy the build-up whatsoever.
I was too focused on me. Was I finally finding my way to my door out of all of this?
All Chris wanted to do, was get Gene Simmons sold on the DLC music pyro concept. A band that when things get intense and someone is playing a solo, the player plays it while lit on fire.
I was even mentally giving Mom credit. Did she finally deliver on my play pretend "Do you want to be a manager?" when trying to do anything, anywhere, with anyone to get the ball rolling on this idea!
I don't think these were her intentions behind this gift looking back.
The months dragged on like they always do, until the day arrived.
It was a quaint wonderful evening I wish I could of enjoyed myself further.
We sampled some original cola that was Gene's custom recipe. That was some good pop!...
Wish I could recall more of what he talked about, played some acoustic guitar, talked about Kiss and the Vault obviously.
In an opposite universe. This is where I'm so prepped and pumped ready to explode musically I blow his socks off!
This was not the case today. "Reminders --- depression!"
The day stretched out a little as everyone else got their one on one time with Gene. I was last or close to the back of the line, which was fine. I felt unworthy of this to begin with.
On the way in, I didn't even think to bring anything Gene could sign! Someone else asked me to get a skateboard signed and I complied, why not?
Cue Chris hanging has head in shame in what of felt like a life long epic fail for my mother. I feel a little bad she doesn't get more enthusiasm or joy out of me.
She twirled around and talked with Gene, we took photos, got some stuff signed including my vault. "You wanted the best" is what he signed. Of course every little detail has to haunt me.
... we left! That was it. I didn't bring up the DLC concept, and Mom didn't bring up the DLC concept.
I wanted to meltdown but was remaining composed still. Mom doesn't deal well with me expressing myself...
So that's it! It's done?!? I still need to share my DLC pyro concept idea.
Sorry if this is some bad cred. But perhaps Gene should be made out to be an angel in this moment.
The organizers talked, and they agreed to let me back in. I went in solo this time.
Gene laughed it off that I seemed to want to talk about me more than talk about him. "Good business savvy!" Or something along those lines.
I'm about to water up just thinking about this moment. I had already spent the better part of a decade alone in a room and I hadn't pieced together the puzzle yet.
I cried when I was trying to blurt out what my concept was. This was everything I could ever want and ask for at this point. I hadn't devised Boites, Take-Two-School, or DemonsLoveCompany at this point of time. I hadn't regained the memory of flight lessons in public school. Just the DemonsLoveConcept, a live music pyro concept with a heavy focus on stunts in music videos.
I am not mad, or upset with Gene whatsoever. He didn't have to let me back in where I used up more of his time. He never made me feel that way, I am grateful he was the only person who heard my concept out at all.
Another truth is stranger than fiction surreal moment where the world seems to scream out this can't be real. There's a Gene Simmons high quality figure in my vault, one where he has a pair of glasses that can be taken off.
Gene took off his glasses, and put them on me when I was breaking hard in front of everyone there in that music room.
...
He politely declined. He didn't think it was something that should be pursued because he didn't want to see me get hurt. This is dangerous.
I am ready to put my life on the line every night every concert because I went a way out of this situation that badly. I will theoretically pour the tank of gasoline over my head and drop a match for others enjoyment.
Can I really hold that decision against him?
That night was probably one of the hardest sessions of crying I've had my entire life. Was this a gift or a punishment?
Top Three Cries
- Kookie getting cancer
- The Vault Experience - trying to sell Gene Simmons on the DLC
- Winning my first race in the rain
Confirmed True
