Jess’ POV –
Three Years After “Flatmates”
I was sat in my little studio polishing up a track for a pop-rock group that I’d been working with for the last few days. It wasn’t my ideal genre of music, but the company had assigned me to them so I couldn’t argue. Lost in my own little world I didn’t even notice when the receptionist, Molly, came knocking on my door.
A light tap on my shoulder stunned me out of my focus.
“Jess, the boss would like to see you in about ten minutes,” she said.
“What why?” I asked. The “boss” she was referring to was a big time player in the American music industry, and he ran Timbaland’s production company for him. The company I had worked for over the last three years. If you were doing good he never talked to you, it was only ever bad news from him.
“I don’t know,” said Molly shrugging her shoulders. “Just meet me at reception in ten minutes and I’ll take you up.”
“Ok,” I said. I’d lost all focus on the track I was working on. After Molly left my studio I took a few minutes to tidy up and then popped down to the Ladies quick before heading to reception. What on earth could they want?
--
“So Jessica,” said my boss as I entered the room and was ushered into a seat.
“Hello,” I smiled at him. “You doing ok?”
“Fine fine,” he said offhandedly. “Listen, I’m bringing in all of our Junior Producers today to talk to them about the state of things. As you may know, the music industry has taken quite a hit recently, what with illegal downloading and everything. We just can’t sustain the company like we used to.”
As he said these words I felt sick. This was not headed anywhere good, I could tell.
“You’ve been a bright light in all of it Jessica, you’ve certainly grown with the challenges that have been placed before you and all of the acts are enthusiastic about the tracks that you produce for them.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling a slight glimmer of hope.
“We’re in the process of reviewing all of the contracts of our Junior Producers this week. You’re all up for renewal soon.”
“Right,” I said, my hands shaking in my lap.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the room in our budget to keep you on,” he said.
My world crashed around me.
Completely and utterly smashed to pieces.
I’d heard this before and I’d hated it. Not in the budget? What did that even mean?
“We certainly believe in you, you’re growing so much here. It’s just hard days, and we don’t think that you’re the best fit for this company.”
“What do you mean by that?” I asked, sliding forward in my seat.
“You’re just not what you’d normally see when looking for a producer, and that’s hurt your bookings a bit.”
“You mean, because I’m a girl?” I asked, getting a bit annoyed. The ages old story of me being a girl and the industry being full of boys, I couldn't handle it, not again.
“No it’s not that,” said my boss, trying to avoid the gender topic.
“What is it then?”
“We just don’t think your sound fits with this company. It’s not American enough…”
“Right…” I said slowly. I could not believe this was happening. I’d taken such a risk agreeing to this job, and now I was watching it slip between my fingers? I don’t think so!
