December 31, 1980, New Year's Eve.
Back in Westport City, James had planned a quiet celebration at their home with his father and mother. The maids prepared a light dinner, while Joseph Kennedy Sr. finalized January's show schedule.
Chris Cornell arrived just before sundown with his family. He brought a bottle of cheap sparkling sparkling juice. James met him and his family at the door, already in a sweater and jeans for the occasion.
"No stage tonight, just fireworks," James said to them.
"Works for me." Chris replied, setting down his bag and his family's.
The two sat in James' massive speaker room-turned-studio. A crackling vinyl record played on low volume while they listened back to the latest mix of "Beyond the Wheel." The room was dimly lit, the glow of the equipment blinking in sync with the music.
"You think this will last, James?" Chris asked after the song faded out.
"What do you mean?"
"This... music thing. Me. The label. Will it last?"
James took a sip of orange juice. "If you keep showing up, keep screaming like you did in Tacoma, it will last."
Chris Cornell stared at the floor. "I guess I just don't want to mess it all up."
"You will not." James replied. "You have the fire. And I am betting all my chips on it. Plus, I am the one who signed you to my label, though new, I got the skills to back it up." he added.
Chris Cornell smiled and nodded.
"I got all planned out anyway." James muttered in a very low voice.
Chris Cornell did not hear what he said so he asked again.
"Ah, I said everything will go well, just trust me." James smiled.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
Later that night, the garden of the James' home lit up with beautiful and expensive fireworks. James and his family, Chris Cornell and his family, Joseph Kennedy Sr and all the Sub Pop Inc. staff, as well as the maids and the butler, watched the firework display in amazed facial expression. Chris Cornell stood beside James, hands in his coat pockets, watching the sparks shoot into the air.
"Happy New Year, man."
Chris Cornell smirked. "Happy New Year, boss."
James smiled when he heard Chris Cornell, the freaking Chris Cornell, called him "Boss".
"Am I a gangster now?" He joked.
Chris Cornell laughed.
Then both looked back at the amazing firework display. As the fireworks cracked into the sky, Chris Cornell made a silent promise to himself. 'This year, I must go all in!'
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 1981. The new chapter begins.
The next morning, James woke up and felt energized. He sipped his morning drink, a hot chocolate milk prepared by the maids in the mansion. Then went to his studio room to do some image training as well as do some reflection recollection of what happened the previous year and for his future plans.
Later that day, he called Joseph Kennedy Sr. through the phone and said, "Time to level up. I want merch prototypes, the final mastered album sent to our top three regional contacts, and flyers ready for Bellingham."
"Yes, sir," Joseph Kenndy Sr. said.
"And schedule studio rehearsals again with Chris. Vacation is over." He added.
"Understood." Joseph Kennedy Sr. replied.
James looked out the window, the sun shining through his window. 'A new year. A new gear, yeah?' he thought.
For Sub Pop Inc. and for Chris Cornell, 1981 would be the year of explosion!
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
When evening came, James went back to his studio after dinner and then sat on his working table.
There, the papers were stacked but organized. Since he was planning to release an extended play (EP) for Chris Cornell to add to his repertoire and be able to do a full hour concert in the future, he started writing down Soundgarden's two initial extended plays (EPs) "Screaming Life" and "Fopp".
They were:
1. Hunted Down
2. Entering
3. Tears to Forget
4. Nothing to Say
5. Little Joe
6. Hand of God
7. Kingdom of Come
8. Swallow My Pride
9. Fopp
These 9 songs were needed and important so Chris Cornell could do full live shows in coming months. James and Joseph Kennedy Sr. already noticed the trend Chris Cornell was making for his first month of touring and the songs and his performance were so impactful that venues were calling left and right before the holidays started.
After a few hours, James finished writing all the lyrics and the next day he would start the arrangement of notes and chords for all instruments. After that, the next few days for demo recording and copyright application for each song.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
3 days passed and James finished the tabbing and arrangements of each instrument for all the songs.
He could not believe that his stamina kept up with his work.
'I freaking love you, endurance skill!' he exclaimed.
After months of work, his endurance level has reached level 4.
[ENDURANCE (Passive Skill)]
[Max Level: 5]
[Effect: Boosts stamina, physical resilience, recovery rate, and mental stress tolerance. Applies to all actions requiring sustained effort.]
[Level 1] [UNLOCKED] [USE COUNT: 50/50]
[+10 Endurance]
[+5% Stamina Capacity]
[+3% Recovery Speed]
[+2% Stress Resistance]
[Effect: Additional light exertion power from 10 minutes to 15 minutes. 5 minutes cooldown during rest.]
[Level 2] [UNLOCKED] [USE COUNT: 150/150]
[+25 Endurance]
[+12% Stamina Capacity]
[+8% Recovery Speed]
[+6% Stress Resistance]
[Effect: Additional moderate exertion power from 20 minutes up to 30 minutes. 20 minutes cooldown during rest.]
[Level 3] [UNLOCKED] [USE COUNT: 300/300]
[+45 Endurance]
[+20% Stamina Capacity]
[+15% Recovery Speed]
[+12% Stress Resistance]
[Effect: Additional intense exertion power for 45 minutes up to 1 hour. 30 minutes cooldown during rest.]
[Level 4] [UNLOCKED] [USE COUNT: 152/500]
[+70 Endurance]
[+30% Stamina Capacity]
[+25% Recovery Speed]
[+20% Stress Resistance]
[Effect: Additional long exertion power for 2 hours up to 3 hours. Minimal fatigue, and keeps mental clarity under pressure. 1 hour cooldown during rest.]
[Level 5] [LOCKED]
[+100 Endurance]
[+50% Stamina Capacity]
[+40% Recovery Speed]
[+35% Stress Resistance]
[Effect: Super peak performer. Handles 2-days work, high stress, minimal rest. Great for frontmen, athletes, or leaders under constant pressure. 12 hour cooldown during rest.]
'Now that I look at it, I am amazed to myself that I could work like a robot just to level up my skill, oh my god!' he did a face slap while in his thoughts.