The New Manager (Pentatonix)

2.

A few days before the band meeting

"... and I KNOW you aren't qualified, and honestly I couldn't care less. We need you, Mitch. We can give you a new identity to hide behind if you need it. And you don't even need to sing! I mean, you totally can, but you don't have to. We just need help. I can pay. Come on, it's better than being a waiter at some shit restaurant! It's been three years, you can't hide any longer. Please?" Esther whisper-yelled into her phone.

"I don't know how I can help. But fine. Good thing I still live in LA, I guess."

"Yay! I knew if I kept pestering you, you would cave in. I'll give you a new identity. I'll tell you everything once we meet up. I'll see you in two weeks, so you can give in your resignation notice in the meantime." Esther said.

Mitch sighed. "Fine. See you then."

Current day- a week after the band meeting.

"I don't know if I can pull this off, Esther. They know me too well. They'll see right through it." Mitch confessed to his ex-manager... er... co-manager.

They were in Mitch's cramped apartment, getting him ready for meeting the band.

"You'll be fine, Michelle. We've been working on this for over a year now. Your voice and poise matches the female we plan to portray you as. It's all going to work." Esther said, trying to calm the terrified tenor.

She shaved his face very closely, and started on makeup. It was like she was making him a drag queen, just toned down.

She pinned his bangs back, and placed the wig on his head. The blonde streaks were simple and understated.

She glanced down at what he was wearing. She groaned at what she saw.

"Seriously? Skinny jeans?"

Mitch shrugged.

Esther grabbed a bad that she had hung on the door. Hanging in it were black dresspants, a white shirt, and a black blazer. She grabbed another bag and threw him a short pair of heels.

Mitch got dressed quickly.

Esther grabbed her phone, and opened up the band's group chat.

ESTHER: Meeting at the studio. I need everyone here in an hour.

SCOTT: I'll try, might be a little late though.

KEVIN: Umm... I'm in a Triptyq rehersal, I'll be late.

AVI: No problem.

KIRSTIE: Be there soon!

ESTHER: Okay then... two hours? Would that work for everyone?

AVI: Yes.

KIRSTIE: Of course!

KEVIN: Still might be a little late, but a lot better.

SCOTT: Thanks, I can deal with that.

ESTHER: Brandon?

BRANDON: Why should I?

ESTHER: Because we may be changing your contract. You might want to be there.

BRANDON: Fine.

Esther let out a scream, making Michelle jump.

"You okay?" She asked Esther, worried.

"Yah... that Brandon kid just annoys the hell out of me. Still kicking myself for ever picking him." Esther said.

Michelle laughed. "Well, let's go meet him."

The two left Michelle's house.

After a quick detour to get blue contacts (a lot of them), they headed for the studio.

"One more time." Esther demanded.

Michelle groaned, rolling her contact-laden eyes.

"My name is Michelle Coby. Born and raised in a small town in Texas. I'm 27. I was part of a small band, and left due to health issues. I went into management after a failed attempt at a solo career. I live in LA. I don't have social media. I was a fan of Pentatonix, and want to help them become great again. I'm a metzo-soprano with a large range. Anything that I'm missing?" He asked after stating all of his facts.

Esther smiled. "Perfect, Ms. Coby. Absolutely perfect."

They pulled into the parking lot of the studio, and headed inside.

Michelle double checked her makeup and hair, pulling the wig carefully into a ponytail, making sure all of her true hair was covered. She stared at the blue eyed lady staring back at her.

"Ms. Coby!" Esther called out, and Michelle run to catch up to her.

Michelle was shown a small room just off of the meeting room, and was instructed to stay there and listen until she was brought in.

Slowly, everyone got there. Brandon was the last person, of course.

"Hey guys! So first off, I want to do a voice analysis of everyone. Kevin, you first." Esther instructed.

As everyone ran through the exercises, Michelle longed to join them. They all sounded so beautifull and happy.

"Brandon, we have a special one for you." Esther said, after he painstakenly did the exercise.

Brandon glared at her.

Esther handed him sheet music with a smile. "Make a harmony to at least twenty bars of this."

"B-but I don't know h-how to!" He stuttered.

Esther shrugged, and turned away. "You have ten minutes!" She called over her shoulder, as she walked away.

She went to the side room.

"Tell me like it is." She said to Michelle, nervous.

Michelle tried to talk in the feminine voice she had worked on.

"Well," she began, "Kevin needs to work on his lower range. His beatboxing was amazing. Triptyq must be really helping him out. Avi was perfect. He must be doing stuff on his own. I want to hear his whole range however. We need to take advantage of his LOW notes. Kirstin seems very strong now, I assume her personal career is taking off? I want to work her higher range. Brandon... I cant find a positive. He doesn't care about it, he sings very airily, he just sings because of his contract. His attempt at a harmony sounded worse than an infant. I would like to review his contract with you. We need a new tenor. Or prehaps a soprano?" Michelle suggested to Esther.

The older woman smiled. Michelle had good logic, and very good judgement.

"I noticed that you forgot to comment on someone..." Esther prodded.

Michelle sighed. "Yes, Mr. Hoying. His range seems like it has been limited. I noticed a lack of... passion... in his exercise. His riff left a lot to be desired. It seems as if his personality has been altered. I would like to work his confidence up, he seems sad and shy."

Michelle turned to "examine the room", AKA wipe away her tears as not to seem vulnerable to Esther.

Esther noticed, but didn't mention it.

"Are you ready to go and introduce yourself to them? I understand if you can't." Esther asked Michelle.

"No, I need to do it at some point. May as well get it done now."

"You sure?" Esther asked again.

Michelle nodded, heading for the door.

The two headed out to the band.