Manager

309 6 0
                                    


"Valerie...no causing issues with Billie...okay?"

"No... that wasn't my idea. Let me call someone who might be able to help."

==== (The next morning) ====

(Valerie answers the door.)

"Hey, come on in. Thanks for stopping by on such short notice."

"Are you kidding me? A chance to meet the mystery guy that everyone's calling the Phantom rocker?"

"David? Our guest is here."

"Be right up." I reply.

(I come up from the 5150 studio.)

"David...this is my friend, and Van Halen's former manager...Irving Azoff."

(We shake hands

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

(We shake hands.)

"Pleased to meet you."

"So, you're the youngest Van Halen. The guy behind the mask?"

"Yea, it seems that way."

"Why haven't you signed with any record label?"

(Shrugs)"I don't want my last name to automatically open doors for me. Besides, I'm not that good."

(Irving looks at Valerie and laughs.)

"He sets the damn media world on fire in one night, and he says he's not that good. Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"I don't think anyone would want to sign me at my age, sir."

"Hell, son. What you need is a manager."

"Well, Valerie's my agent."

"Thought I was fired?"

"Umm... perhaps someone should explain to me exactly why you're here?"

"Valerie called me about your situation. I'm here to offer you my services as manager."

"I don't think I can afford you."

"We'll discuss that later. I'm mainly here to help iron out some details concerning you and your...a.... girlfriend?"

"Oh, I see. Well, I haven't signed anything."

"Your girlfriend works for Interscope Music. Her boss is a notorious bastard for getting every little detail in writing to benefit him, and his stable of stars. So don't sign anything until I get a chance to read it first... alright?"

"Okay, but just so we're clear. I'm not asking to be paid for keeping Billie's night terrors away."

"That's understandable... but we also need to make sure you don't get sued for liability."

"Liability for what?"

"In case her night terrors should worsen, for whatever reason."

"You're kidding me."

"Unfortunately... no I'm not. They're going to look after their stars, their money makers... not you."

"Well, I'm about to meet Billie, to practice the song for her show."

"How much money are you getting paid for helping with this song?"

"No money was ever mentioned to me. It's supposed to be for charity."

"Let me have my legal team reach out to Interscope Music. I'll let you know when we get a contract together."

"Alright, thanks."

(I arrive at Billie's house an hour later, riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle.)

(Billie comes to the door

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

(Billie comes to the door.)

"Wow...a Harley Davidson! What happened to your car?"

"I still got it. I figured I'd take the bike for a spin."

"I'm glad you're here, I've let Finneas listen to what we've done so far. He agrees with me. It doesn't sound quite right."

"I was listening to it myself last night. It's good...but..."

"But not quite, right?"

"No. The music isn't quite right. Could be better. Maybe different chords."

(Billie and I work on the song for a while. Her brother Finneas arrives, glares at me and tweaks the song a bit more. I leave, promising to work on the guitar parts to get the sound we want. What the fuck was that guy's problem I wondered?)

========================================================

Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.Where stories live. Discover now