The next morning I woke up just in time and quickly got ready to go to the studio. I made sure I carried my files, books and gages where I had written all my songs. I had my coffee on my way.
I reached the studio on time and I waited with Nina outside Mr. Ford's room for my call. Nina had informed Mr. Ford about my arrival and five minutes later I was called in. I took my seat opposite the two men, who are now my bosses, after a quick handshake with each.
Mr. Ford said, "Lisa, we've had a talk about you yesterday and Mr. Adams would like to see you work."
"Sure." I said and I displayed my book and few pages before him. Mr. Adams picked up my book and opened a page right in the middle of the book and started reading it. I waited for him to finish reading and say something.
Eventually he did finish reading and he kept my book back on the table. He then looked at Mr. Ford with a certain look that I couldn't understand. I looked at Mr. Ford who leaned towards Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams whispered something to Mr. Ford. I just waited there praying for everything to be alright.
The constant thought repeating in my head all this while was 'PLEASE DON'T SAY NO! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! I WANT TO PROVE DAD WRONG. HE IS WRONG ABOUT THIS. PLEASE DONT SAY NO! I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK HOME!"
And then suddenly, both the men looked at me. My BP had sunk below the deepest crench of the ocean and my hands were as cold as the ice berg on the poles. Mr. Adams then said, "I read your songs, now and earlier... and... I think you have a great potential and talent to write more great songs. I would like to have you here and write some songs for my artists."
I still waited for him to continue talking but he didn't. I glanced at Mr. Ford and he had a smile on his face. I was still tensed and nervous. Mr. Ford then said, "Lisa, congratulations, you have the job!"
It took me a moment to realise and sink in the news about my first job. I looked at both of them and gave a huge smile. I said, "Thank you so much, Mr. Adams, Mr. Ford. This job means a lot to me. I won't disappoint you." My cheeks were now warm and I felt relieved, light and happy.
Mr. Ford said, "Lisa, do you want to see your desk?"
"My desk? Yes, of course!"
"Come with me."
I got up and shook hands with Mr. Adams, thanking him once again for the job and then I followed Mr. Ford, as he showed me my room. We walked past some studio rooms on our left. Each of them had 'STUDIO - A/B/C/D/E' written on them. Mr. Ford stopped at the door of STUDIO F and turned to see me. Hee said, "You ready, Lisa?"
"Yes."
Mr. Ford opened the door and stepped in. He held the door open for me to walk in. As I did, I couldn't believe myself actually walking into a studio room. It felt just like another dream. I really wanted to pinch myself. There was a recording booth, analog desk, couches and a table, a desk and chair, a phone, a computer, some instruments in the shelves and the room was air conditioned. I took my time to look around the room.
Mr. Ford asked, "How do you like it?"
"This is great! I'm so excited yet nervous! I'm going to have a great time here in this studio." I smiled.
"Good. Well, you can start your work now. I'll ask Nina to brief you about some rules and schedules that we follow here."
"Sure." I smiled.
"Okay then, I'll see you around later. I need to leave."
"Okay. Thank you Mr. Ford, for this wonderful job. It really means a lot to me."
"You've got what we need, Lisa, and you know it. So get on with your work. I'm sure you'll bring up something really good."
"Yes I will."
Mr. Ford left me alone in, what I could say now as, my own studio. "OMG!!! I have my own studio! It's so amazing! I can't wait to tell this to Eddie. Oh no, I forgot to call him. He had asked to call him once I reach here." I said to myself.
I walked to my desk, kept my files on it and called Eddie. The phone rang.
"Hello?" Mr. Johnson's voice asked.
"Mr. Johnson, it's Lisa here!"
"Lisa! Hey, how are you, little girl? Reached Toronto safely? Where are you?"
"Yes, Mr. Johnson, ?I reached Toronto safely and the flight was good, except for the two hour delay. I'm at the studio right now. I got the job!"
"Wow! That's a great news! George will be proud of you! Just give him some time."
"Yes, Mr. Johson. Um... is Eddie around?"
"Sorry, Lisa, he's gone out with some boys. I'll tell him that you called."
"Okay. How's Mrs. Johnson? Busy cooking?"
"Guessed it right! She's trying out some new dessert recepie."
"Oh! All the best to you!" I laughed.
"I need that!"
"Mr. Johnson, I'll call you back later tonight."
"Sure. Take care. Bye."
I hung up and just then, the phone rang. I recieved it. "Hello?"
"Lisa, it's Nina here."
"Yes."
"Okay, I called you to give some intstructions about your work. First of all, make an email id for yourself on the studio website. All the important notices, your schedule with artists, meetings etc will be informed to you on that email. Secondly, we have general office meetings every Tuesday and Friday. You have to attend them, unless you've been sent to some other place. Number three, everytime you write your song, you have to get it approved by Mr. Ford and Mr. Adams, only then it would be sung by any of our artists. The list of our engaged artists I'll be sending it to you once you make your email id. For now that's all. If I've missed out anything, I'll email it to you.."
"Okay. I'll do it right now. Thanks."
I my account on the studio's website. Soon I recieved a mail from Nina with a welcome message and the list of artists that she had said she would send. I then started working on my songs, and added some on the computer.
At 1 PM I went out for lunch. I informed Nina I'll be back in an hour and I was going for lunch. When I was moving out, I met that guy again near the main gate. He was talking to someone. While he was talking, he looked at me and smiled. I smiled at him as I walked out.
I walked down the road to find a good cafe. I wanted to have some coffee and some snack. May be pancakes if they have. I found one about five blocks away from the studio. It looked good and cheap. I ordered for a latte and a bacon. The coffee was good and refreshing, the bacon was okay.
I walked back to the studio. While I was going back to my studio, Nina called me. She said, "There was a call for you about 20 minutes back."
"Who was it?" I asked.
"A guy named Edward Johnson."
"Oh okay. Thanks. I'll call him."
I went back to my studio and called Eddie but he didn't answer the call. I decided to call him later today, once I get back to the motel.
