December 22 at Sub Pop Inc. Office
The local tour was over for December 1980.
James stood over a new batch of flyers being printed. Same aesthetic: black ink, blurry photos, scratchy font.
"We need more of these on campus walls and venue bathrooms, Joseph." he told Joseph Kennedy Sr.
"Make them look like they have been there for months." He added.
Joseph Kennedy Sr. nodded. "Understood."
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James left the office and went back home. While in the car, he heard the system notification in his head.
[CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARTIST'S ALBUM SALES!]
[MILESTONE SALES: 500~]
[YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED A $5,000 MONEY BAG!]
[CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARTIST'S SUCCESSFUL LOCAL TOUR!]
[OVERALL AUDIENCE APPROVAL RATING: 98%]
[YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED A $199,000 MONEY BAG!]
'God damn! That is a lot of money! Now I will not worry about further promotional funding!'
James exhaled through his nose from the excitement of receiving these kinds of rewards.
Chris Cornell did not notice James' unusual behavior while sitting beside him. He was fully focused on reading his journal that he had started keeping after the first show.
"I think I am getting better, James." he said without looking up.
James heard it and snapped. He responded quickly, "Well… you are! But better is not enough. You need to be undeniable in Washington state."
Chris Cornell closed the journal and smiled. "Then let us keep going!"
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By the end of December 1980, no one was calling Chris Cornell a star. But in small corners of Washington state, in basements, bars, college radio booths, people were beginning to repeat his name.
And for James, that was the whole point of the short tour that month.
This was not hype. This was to make Chris Cornell and Sub Pop Inc. a very solid foundation within Washington state's local music scene.
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James insisted for Chris Cornell to take the Christmas and New Year holidays. He noted to Chris Cornell that "Next year would be crazy for us" and "You would be super busy to have holidays once you are popular and in demand.".
But he also added that he would do his best to have Chris Cornell celebrate his Christmas and New Years with his family every year.
Chris Cornell nodded and thanked James for being considerate.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
December 25, 1980.
Although in later years, the future Chris Cornell, in James' original timeline, would question everything about the Christianity and Religion, the current Chris Cornell, the 16 year old him, was still believing in the Christmas and New Year beliefs of Christianity.
Cornell's household in Seattle was not grand, but that December 1980? It glowed with warmth. The smell of Christmas and the cinnamon scent around the neighborhood drifted through the air. A small christmas tree stood in the corner of the living room, decorated with ornaments collected over the years. Chris Cornell sat on the carpet, helping his younger siblings unwrap some presents. His mother, Karen Cornell, watched from the kitchen with a soft smile, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
'He has changed.'
She thought and smiled.
Over the kids, they opened the gifts, mostly from James and Sub Pop Inc., but there were no expensive gifts, just flannel shirts, cassette tapes, sketchbooks, and paperback novels, but it was enough. The atmosphere was simple, loving, and grounding.
Chris Cornell's mind drifted for a moment to the shows he had played. Four bar gigs across Washington. The cassette tapes were already floating in record shops statewide. Strangers were singing the lyrics of the songs in his album, and nodding their heads to it. He snapped out of it when his little brother showed him a newly opened toy truck.
"Check this out, Chris!"
He smiled and said playfully. "That is killer, man. You'll be needing a license soon!"
Karen Cornell came over and gave him a plate stacked with scrambled eggs and sausage. "Eat, honey. You are getting too thin!"
Hel laughed. "Ma, I am sweating it out on stage almost every other night. That is cardio."
"Cardio or not, I am still your mother, so…" she replied while pointing to the plate. "Eat."
He smiled and shook his head, then he stood from the floor and took the plate.
"Thank you, Ma."
It was the first morning in weeks where he did not have a rehearsal, studio visit, or gig. James had given him the holiday off, insisting he spend it with his family. "No one should be working on Christmas." James had said. "Even God took a break."
He was ever grateful for that.
As Chris Cornell ate the food, his mother sat beside him. "You have been different lately. Not in a bad way." she said gently and smiled.
"Focused?" he offered.
She nodded. "Happier and healthier, too. I am proud of you, Chris. I really am."
He did not say anything at first. Just chewed and looked at the blinking lights on the tree. "I got a shot now, Ma. A real one. That kid James... he believes in me so much, it felt unfair to let him down."
She gave a short laugh. "That 10 year old genius with a business suit and a servant?" she smiled.
He grinned. "Yeah. Exactly. Him."
They spent the rest of the morning exchanging stories, playing holiday records, and sipping hot chocolate. No more loneliness. No drugs. No stage. No expectations. Just him and his family at home.