The next morning, they rolled back into SoundScape Pro Audio with an entirely different energy. The same assistant manager who had turned them away yesterday nearly tripped over himself trying to greet them when he saw the wire transfer confirmation in Thane’s paw.

Cassie strutted in like she owned the place. “We’re back. And this time… we’re shopping.”

They split up like a well-coordinated pack on a mission.

Thane was deep in the soundboard aisle, pawing over clean console faders like they were made of silk.
Gabriel kept leaning over to poke “fun buttons,” completely disregarding all price tags.
Rico and Jonah tested mics with impromptu vocal warm-ups and drumstick clicks.
Cassie was comparing monitors, muttering, “If this doesn’t make me sound like a goddess, I’m not interested.”
Maya? Eyeing wireless gear like she was planning a heist.

And Mark… oh, Mark.

Usually the stone-faced lighting wizard who operated somewhere between grumpy dad and exhausted tech goblin, he wandered into the lighting section…

…and stopped dead in front of a brand-new set of VariLite VL2600s.

His jaw didn’t drop. His tail didn’t wag. But something changed.

He just stared for a second. Whispered under his breath: “I’ve never had new fixtures.”

Then slowly—deliberately—he reached out and touched the gleaming finish.

Gabriel peeked over his shoulder. “Are you smiling?”

Mark didn’t even look at him. “No.”

Gabriel leaned in. “You are. That’s a Mark smile. The rarest smile of them all.”

Mark grunted. “Keep talking and I’m swapping your key light for a strobe.”

A few hours later, the van was loaded with more gear than they’d ever owned at once. New cases. Clean cables. Modern wireless packs. Brand-new trussing. Updated software. Spare parts for everything.

Thane looked over the list with a satisfied grunt. “We’re officially back in business.”

Cassie, grinning from ear to ear, was about to answer when Thane’s phone buzzed.

He checked it.

Paused.

“…We just got booked.”

“Wait—what?” Maya blinked.

He showed the screen. “Electric Grove Theater. Nashville. Three nights. Full payout. Legit contract. Real venue.”

Gabriel blinked twice, then let out an unfiltered, howl-worthy laugh. “The universe is finally giving us a damn break!”

Mark just picked up a fresh lighting console, clutching it to his chest like a newborn. “About time.”