Sober.

9 // The City

"Let it flow, let it sink in my skin. Leave scars, leave everything, my hopes and dreams all thrown out in the world. Leave it all for the end game, let it sink into the skin. Let it consume your mind, Let it sink in your skin." 

Sink in. ( Written by : Shea Avery )

I hurry once agin into the office, rushing to the large double doors at the end of the hallway.

I know my life is about to change when I step through those doors, I feel it in my gut. I feel it in my blood.

I take a single breath in. The stale office air of the business floor of the building flows into my nose. Ink stench and paper smell fills every inch of the floor. I hear the clicking away on the keyboards, a non stop machine. 

I bring my small knuckle up the the door. 

Breathe.

I bring my small knuckle up the the wooden board.

Breathe.

I take my small knuckle and nock it against the wooden board hearing a deep 'come in' in response.

Breathe.

"Well Hello, Ms. Avery. Please take a seat." His deep voice is so gentle and caring, like he is caring for a small innocent child but is protecting it from any further damage.

I love this office, I love the view of The City.

"You called-" I start but my quiet voice is cut off by him confident booming voice that fills the whole room. My body jolts back terrified as to why he has called me into his office on such short notice, I fear he is about to fire me.

"I know she has been talking to you... Trying to get you to change record labels." Ah that. Great he knows I've been in cahoots with the enemy. He is going to scream at me, he is going to jump to conclusions, he is going to fire me right here. 

Goodbye Tempo records.

I franticly answer him, begging him not to fire me. "Please do not fire me. I love it here. I did not give her an answer, I wanted to talk to you about it first but it has seems you beat me to it." I try to ease the awkward tension with a small smile, Joe only shakes his head at the young girl in front of him.

"I want to one up what she is offering you, Ms. Avery."

"She offered me a recording deal." I spit unknowing how else to say the words that completely left him off guard. He takes a moment to slide out of his chair and to look out at the city behind him.

"We have already signed forty three new deals this year... I can't give you a lot but I can give you one album and full creative freedom."

"Are you serious?" I asked shocked, knowing it was rare a freshman album is granted full creative freedom.

"Yes, but I can't give you a lot of marketing money and staff. I know it's most likely not very good compared to what Diane may have offered you, but I know you will be much more valued here at Tempo compared to Mercury. Shea we love you here and I want to see you do things some artists could only dream of. I have seen your talent day one, that is why I hired you without a second thought. Shea Avery will you accept my offer?" He continues telling me how much a risk it would be but how much they cannot lose me as a part of the record label.