New Rules NYC (#Wattys2015 Winner)

When They Give Away What Is Yours

EMMA - CHAPTER 31

I sometimes wondered what the world would be like if the meeting room was never invented, how much more productive the world would be. Over the weekend I read how bad sitting is for your health, of this guy who didn't sit down for a month and felt great. I wondered how Vince would react to me having one of those standing desk installed?

Over the course of three years I had endured hundreds of these status meetings, everyone tuning out as someone reeled off what they were working on, they had the occasional moment of interest but then quickly descended back into the mundane, loosing people quickly to their phones and laptops. The new interns always bobbed with energy, waiting to appeal for attention and approval. There wasn't an easy way to hate on Katie, she is the type made your skin creep slowly with her constant positivity and trained poise. She has parked herself up by the head of the table, draped in a parent funded Alexander Wang shirt and atop white Celine shoes. On her wrist an oversized Marc Jacobs watch that seemed to reflect even more light onto her face. She had become more confident as the weeks went on, today revealing more of the high slope of one of her breasts. Her face looked like it had been in a hydration chamber all weekend - resting to be presented with maximum exuberance for this moment. The intern dude that trails around with her is perched next to her like a study buddy. Don't worry Katie, we'll soon jade your hopes and dreams. I remember using the importance of my first few meetings here to secure new shoes when mum was in town, it was seeing myself in her which was the must frustrating.

The team wasn't all interns, the rest of the crew were dotted around, zoned out on laptops and phones. Today wasn't a day to be bitter. The comments and compliments were rolling in, I had nailed the party and the photos had been popping up everywhere. Vanity Fair even posted some with Vince in the proximity of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky so he had to be pleased. This was my time to trade on that success, to wield it for my benefit. I got handed a steaming pile of crap and molded it into diamonds before it even had time to cool. Of course I pulled it off! This was me you are dealing with bitches, how dare you doubt my abilities.

Vince eventually showed up half-way through, listening to a few people before interrupting with some "big news" that you could tell from the look on his face trumped the usual sales updates.

"I'd like to confirm something that has been in the works for some time. An effort that can be credited to us all." As if realizing this moment wasn't exactly as he had pictured it in his head he quickly stood up and began slowly walking around the table.

"As of last night, Darnell joins us as the newest member of the East & Low family!" The room busted into cheers and high fives.

"It all came together in a co-sign deal with Vice Records and a shared vision to lead the way in the way the music industry operates. We'll be exploring a huge range of content opportunities, events, partnerships. And this will represent the new era of East & Low Records. You'll all get a chance to work on this but Andre, Jason and Katie will work as the ramp up team to kick everything off. Things will get crazy around here, I hope you are all ready for the ride. Drinks on the roof at the James this afternoon to celebrate, with more to come over the next few weeks."

After four years of working here, dealing with demanding and uninspiring artists, finally we would get back on top. The buzz phase of the signing would kick off shortly, Vince would connect the core team with the Vice crew and all Darnell's people, then a few months down the track, when it was time to hype the album I'd be pulled into the unit, like a valued impact player. Bullshit. I was being screwed, bent over, right here in front of everyone. I felt physically ill hearing Katie's name announced on this, I had to look away from her smug little face and ridiculously shinny teeth. She had pouted her way onto my dream project. I wanted to slap myself for letting this happen.

Fuck this - like I even had time for it anyway, I had a party to plan. Time I started doing me and stopped worrying about this crap.