Through the lens, Alice observed Ronan taking an unintentional role as the "conductor" at the center of the instruments.
While he had to manage the keyboard, he first needed to listen as an impartial observer to ensure that the melodies of the other three instruments harmonized perfectly.
Doing this without the aid of a computer was undoubtedly challenging, requiring a unique talent for rhythm and musicality.
"...Oli, wait, you just stole a quarter of the beat there," Ronan pointed out without hesitation.
"And...Cliff, you were a quarter of a beat slow just now," he continued, his speaking rhythm deliberate and firm.
All eyes in the room turned towards Ronan.
Over the past hours, Ronan had astutely pointed out several rhythm and timing deviations, often sparking heated discussions.
Each band member had their own perspective, leading to agreements, disagreements, and different viewpoints. Often, they doubted Ronan's judgment.
Even Ronan himself had reservations about his accuracy, as his heightened hearing had enabled him to perceive intricate details of sound characteristics in his previous life. This allowed him to verify whether his judgment was correct.
Now, they finally had the opportunity for open communication and debate.
Whenever Ronan corrected deviations, it triggered active discussions among the band members.
They would rehearse again, paying close attention to the details, express their opinions, and gradually come to realize that Ronan was correct most of the time.
While he occasionally made mistakes, his accuracy rate was astonishingly high—seven or eight out of ten times, he was right.
"Inspired by the divine," Ollie teased Ronan.
The band members didn't delve too deeply into the reasons behind Ronan's sudden enlightenment. They attributed it to the fact that this was Ronan's own creation, fueled by inspiration.
He was in excellent form, bursting with creativity, and was fully engaged, enabling him to notice intricate details. This allowed him to perform exceptionally.
This time, Ollie didn't comment further. Instead, he smiled and scratched his head, appearing slightly annoyed and helpless.
Cliff, on the other hand, looked hesitant. "Are you sure? I was very confident about my timing this time. I don't think I made a mistake. Could it be that Ollie's off-beat threw you off, making your judgment biased?"
Ronan didn't dismiss Cliff's point categorically but rather nodded in agreement. He gestured for Cliff to try playing the part solo.
Cliff chose not to continue defending himself. Maxim and Ollie exchanged glances with him, and Cliff resumed playing.
After two phrases, Maxim turned to Ronan. "You were right."
Ollie playfully tilted his head and teased Cliff, "...you were half a beat slow this time." He couldn't resist adding a playful jab.
Cliff, acknowledging his mistake, gave Ollie a wry smile. "Well, let's see if you can avoid making any errors next time!"
Their light-hearted exchange elicited laughter from Ronan and Maxim. Ollie good-naturedly touched his nose, laughed, and then Maxim took the lead in organizing the next rehearsal.
"Let's start from the first eight beats of the chorus. Get ready... five, six, seven..."
The rehearsal commenced once more.
Despite the long night, the band members remained unaffected, wholeheartedly engaged in their rehearsal.
New Orleans' midsummer weather was sweltering and humid, with Alice herself drenched in sweat. The band members, who had worked through the night, appeared as if they'd emerged from water.
However, their sweating and flushed faces didn't diminish their enthusiasm or concentration. They remained energetic, temporarily forgetting their hunger.
They had truly reached a point where sleep and food became inconsequential!
If not for the aroma of bacon cheeseburgers wafting in from the hallway, which stirred Ronan's stomach, they might have overlooked the approaching lunchtime entirely.
After nearly fifteen hours of intense work, the band members finally took a brief break and headed for lunch.
Alice had assumed lunch would be a respite, but to her surprise, Maxim and Cliff efficiently continued discussing the setlist. Ollie and
Ronan, on the other hand, practically devoured their food, leaving behind only empty plates. Alice couldn't help but jest, "Is this a three-star Michelin restaurant?"
She was left dumbfounded.
After lunch, the scorching heat outside threatened to make everyone drowsy. Even those who had slept soundly the previous night might have felt the urge to nap.
However, the band members quickly resumed their work with remarkable vigor, displaying meticulousness and unwavering concentration.
Throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset, and into the early hours of Saturday morning, the One Day Kings band completed a continuous 36-hour work marathon.
Finally, exhaustion overcame them, and one by one, they slumped onto the beds, finding a brief moment of rest and sleep.
Alice, who had followed every step, pushed her limits to the extreme. Her knees quivered by the end, but her hands remained steady.
Yet, just two hours later, Cliff was the first to awaken. He contemplated the upcoming full moon party and couldn't find peace even in his sleep.
"Maxim...Maxim!"
Shortly after Cliff's awakening, Ollie also roused himself. The two of them struggled to wake Ronan, but Maxim, seemingly in a zombie-like trance, remained asleep and unresponsive, impervious to their efforts.
Turning around, they found Ronan standing by the door, leaning against the wall, and dozing off again.
Ollie couldn't help but chuckle. "Is this how a colt sleeps?"
He grabbed Ronan's right hand and dragged him into the bathroom. Using the showerhead, Ollie doused Ronan's head with cold water.
The icy shock quickly awakened Ronan, his dazed expression transforming into alertness.
Still in a daze, Ronan vigorously shook his head and wiped the water from his face. It took a moment for his eyes, which had been unfocused after his nap, to regain their sharpness.
He realized that this was not a dream but reality. He could still see, and he was still a member of the One Day Kings band. The smile that bloomed at the corner of his mouth was involuntary.