First Round Losers’ Support Group


*Curly walks into the meeting room, holding Quote’s hand in tow. Marina, Pearl, Paruko, Agent J, Geno, Pitbull, and Eminem are already settled in.*
Quote

… [You feel content.]

Curly Brace

Hiya, guys! Are we late?

Marina

Oh, not at all, we were just about to start.

*Curly and Quote sit down in two vacant chairs.*
Marina

Welcome, all, to the… third?

Agent J

Yeah, third.

Marina

Third meeting of the First Round Loser’s Support Group.

Pearl

I really think this group needs a name that isn’t as stupid.

Geno

I think the name is honest.

Pearl

Well just because it’s “honest” doesn’t mean it isn’t stupid!

Marina

Hey, ease up, Pearl. We’re not changing it this far in.

Pearl

Hmph. Fine.

Marina

Uhh… Paruko?

Paruko

Huh? O- oh, right, sorry… one second…

*Paruko pauses Super Mario 64, places down her Game Boy, and picks up a clipboard.*
Paruko

So, who couldn’t make it tonight… ?

Pitbull

Oh, Popoy and Marcianito couldn’t make it tonight. Didn’t tell me why, but I trust ‘em.

Eminem

Dude, they’re probably off fuckin’ some bitches without you, or dancing somewhere, or some shit like that…

Agent J

H couldn’t make it either. Off on, uh… personal business.

Marina

And HOBaRT is still in the hospital, right? Does anyone know how they’re doing?

Geno

I overheard a conversation earlier today, they’re expected to return tomorrow.

Marina

Oh, good for them.

*There are a few other nods and voices of approval.*
Paruko

Hmm… I don’t think I’ve ever seen Adam here.

Pearl

Yeah, he hates our guts!

Pitbull

Eh, I can’t blame him. This whole place is still un poco loco to him, y’know? Shame he doesn’t even try and come over, though.

Pearl

I asked him for an autograph for a fan once, and he just brushed me off! How rude is that?

Eminem

Huh, woulda never taken you as a fan of Levine.

*Pearl sharply stands up.*
Pearl

T- that’s not the point! I, just…

*Pearl slowly sits back down.*
Pearl

He was just kind of a jerk, that’s all.

*Paruko leans in to whisper to Pearl.*
Paruko

(Are you really a fan of… that guy?)

Pearl

(Kara’s Flowers is a guilty pleasure of mine, okay? Don’t judge!)

Marina

So, how has everybody been since last meeting?

Geno

I’ve been alright.

Eminem

It’s been…

*Eminem leers at Quote.*
Eminem

Fine, and all. Y’know what I’m sayin’?

Quote

… [You know what this is about.]

Curly Brace

Me and Quote have been doing great!! Quote even told me about how he got to make a new friend, which I think is very sweet!

Agent J

(That guy talks to her? …that guy talks??)

Pitbull

Me and my partners have been doing good, too! We’ve been workin’ on a track in the studio and ooo boy, es muy caliente. Can’t wait for it to drop.

Curly Brace

Oooh, sounds hot!

Pitbull

That is the English translation!

Pearl

I think I’m finally starting to get over it. The loss, I mean.

Pearl

Like… at the end of the day, we didn’t win the tournament, but… I still have Marina. And WE still have Paruko. We can still make killer tracks together, and it’ll be awesome!

Marina

That’s very sweet of you, Pearlie.

Paruko

Of course we’ll still be around, Pearl.

Geno

That’s very profound, Pearl.

Pearl

Winner or not, we’re gonna continue making songs that’ll blow your socks off!

Marina

Yeah!

Pearl

Booyah!

Curly Brace

YEAH, you guys!

Pitbull

YEEEEEEOOOOOO-

Marcianito

yeah

Pitbull

-oh! Didn’t see you come in, amigo! Take a seat.

Marcianito

ayy lmao

Pitbull

(Where’s Popoy?)

Marcianito

(yeah)

Pitbull

Ah, alright.

Agent J

Me and my bud have been out there, just doin’ what friends do. I don’t think I have anything more to say than that.

Curly Brace

Aw, that’s okay! It’s good to hear!

Marina

I think that’s everyone, right? We are running a little short on time-

Adam Levine

Hey, is this the right room for the…

*Adam looks at a piece of paper in his hand.*
Adam Levine

“First Round Loser’s Support Group?”

Marcianito

yeah

Curly Brace

Oh, hi, Adam!! Fancy seeing you here!

Paruko

Yeah, this is it… we were just about to wrap up, though.

Pitbull

Nah, I think we have time to hear him out. C’mon, amigo, I saved you a seat.

*Adam takes an empty seat to the right of Pitbull.*
Marina

So, what brings you out here tonight, Adam?

Adam Levine

I guess I just… wanted to get out of my room and get some fresh air. Remembered that this was happening and decided… yeah, sure. I’ll come.

Geno

It’s always nice to go out and catch a breath of fresh air every once in a while.

Curly Brace

Yeah! Actually, do you know the bench under that blue and pink… tree, lookin’ thing? You know, the one outside the studio?

Agent J

Oh, yeah, of course.

Geno

I know it well.

Adam Levine

… I think so, yeah. Never thought much of it.

Curly Brace

Quote and I go sit out there some nights, just looking up at the moon and the stars. It’s usually just a personal outing, but I think a group nightwatch could be really fun!!

Quote

… [You nod your head in agreement.]

Marina

I think that would be very nice!

Agent J

Maybe not tonight, though. There’s some- uh, stuff happening.

Paruko

(Hey, M- Marina, we’re gonna be late for our meeting with Mariya…)

Marina

(Alright.) Unfortunately, we’ve run out of time. Curly, let’s meet up later to discuss a nightwatch sometime this week.

Curly Brace

You got it!

Pearl

Meeting dismissed!

*Slowly, people get up and shuffle out of the room. Pitbull turns to Adam.*
Pitbull

Hey, thanks for comin’ out tonight, Adam. You still got some time to test the waters out. Keep it up! Dale!

Adam Levine

Yeah, whatever.

*Pearl sheepishly walks up to Adam.*
Pearl

Hey… I can tell you’re uncomfortable. But, uh… I can tell you it gets better. When I first joined the tournament, the first one, I was a little uncomfortable too. Didn’t show it, but… yeah. I had no idea who most of the people around were, and I had to rely on Marina a little bit to understand what was going on.

*Pearl noticeably relaxes, sparkles in her eyes.*
Pearl

But then, I started talking with the other people that were around, and I had a really fun time! Made a lot of friends, too. …so, uh, it’ll get better if you put the effort in a little. I promise.

Adam Levine

…thanks, girl.

Pearl

Oh, and uh, one more thing if that’s okay with you…

*Pearl reaches into her pocket and takes out a copy of The Fourth World, as well as a blue permanent marker.*
Pearl

Could I get an autograph? I’m a big fan.

Adam Levine

…yeah, sure, you can.

*Adam takes the album and marker, and signs his name on the front cover.*