---

Panel 1: The boys of Tennyson listen with varying degrees of discomfort as Stef speaks. Daniel listens attentively, Tomás looks away glumly, and Denver looks up, rubbing the back of his neck like he always does when he feels guilty or uncomfortable. Stef monologues, "The three of us have been at this for years. Handing out fliers to gigs at shows no one comes to. Opening for bands that won’t even remember our name. It sucks, and it gets humiliating, but we do it because if talent alone guaranteed success, then we would've been signed a long time ago."

Panel 2: A close-up on Stef's righteous fury. "Denver’s the most talented musician I know, and he has to work three jobs just to make rent at The Garage. And there's other guys out here who-- they ain't shit, but they kiss the asses of the right people, so they get more chances than he does, and none of it is fair--!"

Panel 3: Denver picks up the cigarette he had tucked behind his ear, saying, "Aw, dude. We've been over this. You know I appreciate the praise, but not if you're putting someone else down at the same time."

Panel 4: Stef turns to look at Denver as the latter lights his cigarette. Stef replies, "But you're better than them. That's just the truth," while Denver smiles with a little, "Sure, sure."