Following the military profile of the paratroopers, they were made to run for four hours while the five-man army team maintained an abusively fast pace. Billy ran alongside Jack Sauce and Kate, and to his surprise, Kate was in better shape than the smoker Jack Sauce, who was exhausted after just two kilometers. He gave up and decided to wait. The laps were one kilometer each around the Air Force base, which had been invaded in 1941. It was interesting to see how it had been renovated.
What's four hours of running? That's at least 20 kilometers at a slow pace. The military cart carried a completely pale Jack, drained by the physical exertion. Though he wasn't disqualified, he definitely lost face in front of Kate, who seemed eager and in much better condition.
Billy had never done this kind of exercise before, and after two hours of continuous jogging, he was completely exhausted, just like Kate. Her flushed and sweaty face gave her a certain beauty, though it also stripped away some of her charm—at least to most people. To Billy, she looked like a woman after sex, like someone who had spent a long afternoon in passion.
They finished under the shade of the military base, drinking water and watching the elite soldiers, who seemed to be in the same state. Exhausted, they began jump exercises from one meter high, practicing falls, how to land, and how to position themselves when the parachute deploys. Leg strength and technique were crucial, as mastering a parachute landing isn't easy.
The jump had already been planned with Nike. They would use five professionals who would jump with Billy—one a second before him, and another a second after—depending on the shot. They would sweep the sky to support Billy in case of any issues. It was almost like a choreographed routine. Many cameras were set up, and all the footage would be captured live, with large cameras attached to their faces. However, the main shots would be staged in a studio using wind machines and CGI.
The makeup team appeared. They needed to record at least three takes. This time, they would capture some of the military training. According to Billy's plan, they needed a three-minute shot at most for a small MVA, one minute for another segment, and three 30-second parts. This was the crucial key to the entire operation.
-The camera will arrive shortly, - one of Kate Bosworth's team members murmured, overheard by both Billy and Jack, who were also with their respective makeup artists.
-You run more than you look. That was a brutal workout, - Billy murmured to Jack sauce was still pale after the run, coughing too much to respond. Smoking and exercise clearly don't mix. Kate tried to step back to look Billy in the face, but the makeup artist wouldn't let her.
-The rock star life isn't compatible with exercise, - Jack Sauce muttered. Even in his military uniform, he looked rough—or at least that's what Kate thought, though she hid it well.
-Yeah, yeah, just give me a breather, - mumbled the young man as they began retouching his makeup. For that and other reasons, he needed to look good for the cameras.
Major Wallace stood in front of the three of them. - Based on the results, we'll see if you're capable of continuing the training. Without my approval, you won't have the chance to participate in the Nike extreme sports commercial. -
It was a lie. Nike had only asked for basic training and conditioning, and they had offered generous sponsorships to make everything possible and recognizable. But this was all part of a scheme by Jerry, a false alarm of sorts, punishing Billy for defying corporate agendas. However, Jack Sauce, noticing the blonde beauty sitting nearby, didn't mind. Even in hell, he wasn't going to give up that bombshell.
-Well, thank you, Captain. We'll follow your instructions, - Jack Sauce replied, the worst of the three. His only focus now was getting closer to the blonde. One look was all it took for Billy to understand that leaving Kate alone was the best option.
-We'll proceed to the next training session. Later, you'll meet the recruits who, even though their course has been accelerated by five months, have the necessary skills. For now, it's best you learn some basic concepts, - said Wallace. As a captain, his voice never changed—neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to silence others and be heard.
The explanation was simple.
The next practices they would follow were brief and constant, small jumps, and falls from metal harnesses... The harnesses were structures held by a special chain in a web-like shape. With a hook, it resembled the design of a parachute, and the pulley system went up and down, up and down... in such a way that many practice exercises could be performed. It was almost like a swing going up and down every two minutes, teaching the soldiers how to land, and managing the tension of the jump and movement. A fairly reliable imitation of the jolt from parachuting, it was excessive. Billy would jump from 3,000 feet, while the soldiers jumped from 1,200 feet to minimize the time in the air. With enough time and planning, the impact could be reduced. It was an excessive training.
...
It was mid-afternoon, and the base, in principle, was a remote place. With no nearby bar, restaurant, or social activity, the only option was to use the small computer to talk to their families, and on weekends, they had time off. Two hours away, there was a small town reserved for the team to take a break from the base, after all, they were not fully on duty.
Jack Sauce was extremely tired and even vomited by the end, his plans to be with the woman he wanted shattered in complete failure.
-I think you blew it completely, mate, - commented Billy as he watched the soldiers talking to the beautiful blonde. They surrounded her without any ulterior motive, primarily aiming to protect and help her, just a disinterested following.
Jack Sauce smiled. The first round was a miss, but the second round was his time. For the first time, it was good to have one of the most talented musicians in history by his side. Billy was a genius with the guitar and piano, and his recent work on the violin; was fantastic.
-Come on! You know just as well as I do that we're different. They may be athletic and strong... but they can't compete with me. I'm giving them an advantage, - said Jack.
He almost touched on the subject of married women, but held back completely, knowing Billy wouldn't want to go there.
-What do you think about practicing some music? I've been wanting to do backup vocals for a while, but I haven't gotten the chance, - Jack Sauce remarked, showing a strong desire to get back into music. Women couldn't resist a well-sung song; the soul of a rocker was the only arrow a musician needed.
-Ohhhh, I see. I hope it's worth it! So much hassle. Don't let my talent overshadow you; it's not my fault if she chooses the best, - Billy sighed, continuing to tease. The fact was that Jack could only sing simple songs.
-Use Somebody by Kings of Leon seems like a good song, has some bass, and it's not too demanding, - replied Billy.
-I've got something in mind. I was thinking Incomplete, or Vertigo. It has a more powerful guitar, and although it may not seem like it, I know the song. You can back me up, - said Jack.
It was incredible because Billy knew that Jack had refused to do the backup vocals for Vertigo with him before, but now he couldn't help but laugh. He'd make Jack sing now, even if it was just shouting out the lyrics. Singing on stage was complicated and unique in many ways.
-Women dominate you, Jack! You know, buddy, that's not good. You've got to be more like your friend Billy, he just goes with the flow, - the blond remarked, hitting Jack on the shoulder. Any retort that was on the tip of Jack's tongue vanished. Some might say it was love at first sight.
-We all have our weaknesses, Billy, - Jack said, as both of them continued to the dining hall. Being an empty base in principle... for that reason and others, the food was packed, rations for the week. It was a slow meal, Jack was still exhausted, and hunger wasn't exactly what he had in mind... he handed his tray to Billy after seeing him eyeing the food, only keeping his drink and a tuna sandwich.
...
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you, within me I can find no rest
Where I'm going is anybody's guess
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is, incomplete
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
…
Jack Sauce's voice was good, at least he didn't make rookie mistakes. He played each string perfectly while the two guys performed at their own pace, without any hint of direction, a cappella, in a secluded corner, but they surely attracted people around them. Even without meaning to, the soldiers knew who Billy Carson was. He was famous, very famous.
...
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all alone
Baby, my baby
It's written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is, incomplete
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
...
But Kate saw them playing, more than just playing; it was a way to have fun, two people deeply engrossed in what they were doing, without rushing. Long or short, the moment was ideal for such activities, but for Billy, it was therapeutic.
Jack raised his head and gave a small wink to the woman on the side, with his expressed knowledge of how to charm. His fingers ran across the bass, and in a swift move, he followed the fast-paced lyrics.
...
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
I don't mean to drag it on
But I can't seem to let you go
I don't wanna make you face this world alone
I wanna let you go (alone)
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is, incomplete
🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵
...