Buckingham Nicks-Part II of Fritz Series

Going Solo

***Smut and some less than flattering conduct from our main characters lies ahead***

"You do know I have a phone, right?" Carol shrugs watching as I grope around the deck for a robe to cover Stevie with "Do you mind?" she smiles turning her back and signaling her cronies to do the same. Stevie covers herself, and I tie a towel around my waist as we step out of the tub. Grabbing the manila folder she dropped I open it up pulling papers out. "Terms and conditions of Buckingham Nicks contract of employment..." I read down the page shrugging as I look back up at her "So what? This is the contract we signed with Al in 1970 . We have a year to put out our new album."

The woman I don't recognize speaks up "Minnie Algers, I'm Carol Ann's personal attorney" Fantastic more lawyers "According to a proviso written into article sixteen A your contract specifically states that you have an obligation to tour for any interim period when you are not recording new music. Otherwise you're on the hook for monies lost by the record company while you're not earning revenue for Princeton records."

Stevie shakes her head "What the hell does that mean? In English." Carol steps up smirking "It means, Stephanie dear, that since you haven't produced an album or toured in eighteen months you owe Princeton records for monies lost..." I go through the contract again finding the article Algers cited, I read it then I read it again. Fuck. It does say that. Why the hell didn't Al ever say anything?

"So you're saying we owe you money? Carol, we've never lost Al a dime" she laughs "No, but he had a soft heart. He was okay with you two screwing around and not working, I'm not. So here's what I've decided. The two of you can either get your asses in the studio and make another record. Now. You can get your asses on the road for the next year. Now. Or you can pay off what you owe me in lost revenue which comes out to-"

The male speaks for the first time opening an invoice and reading off a number "One million-two hundred and forty seven thousand eight-hundred and twelve dollars and forty six cents" he hands me the paper and Stevie reads over my shoulder both of us losing color. "So sell our contract. Warner offered you twice this amount for us!"

"That would be against Mrs. Wonsley's best interests" the invoice hits the floor as I flick it angrily away "You know what would be in Ms. Harris' best interests?" Stevie's voice is low, low and angry her body physically trembling with rage; Carol sneers at her intentional use of her maiden name. "Get the fuck off my property and don't come back unless you're invited! You have twenty seconds before I call the Sheriff's office." Carol clucks her tongue turning to me "think about it Linds-" I cut her off stepping toward the three of them.

"You heard her. Get out! You'll hear from my attorney about this shit" she looks me over once more flipping her hair over her shoulder as she stomps down our concrete driveway to her car. Once she and her toadies hit the tree line Stevie plops down in a lawn chair crossing her arms "What a bitch" I sit next to her taking a beer from the patio fridge. Once I pop the cap I take a long sip, Stevie takes the bottle from me chugging a large gulp herself. She stares at me raising her eyebrow

"What? She ruined my anniversary. She's always trying upstage me..."

"I'm sorry babe. I'll make this up to you I promise, I'll call Rosen in the morning to deal with her".

****

"Well kids...you're screwed" Screwed? What us? How? When? Why? My face conveys all of those questions and Rosen sits back to explain "Well she's right it's a clause in your contract that after a certain period you will be on the hook to Princeton records for monies owed. Al never called that revenue in because he loved you two. Carol...yeah not so much."