Overlap

Closer Together and Farther Apart

"RIINGGGGG"

James let out a yelp as he fell off his bed at the sudden ring of his phone. Groaning, he crawled to his side table and reluctantly brought the phone to his ear, sighing as he realized he forgot to put it on do not disturb.

He tiredly wiped his eyes with one hand while the other maneuvered towards the "accept" button.

Bringing the phone up to his ear, he let out a subsequent yawn.

"Hello?" he answered in a low voice.

"Is this James Reid?" A woman on the other side of the line asked.

James, who was still battling fatigue given how early it was and the fall from his bed, attempted to open his eyes as he stretched his neck. "Yes," he replied in the most alert-sounding voice he could muster.

"Oh phew! Glad I was able to find the right number. I've listened to a few of your lounge performances and original songs and I really am impressed with your artistry," The woman complimented.

"Oh, thank you," James responded.

"Particularly that one song that you said didn't have a title yet," The woman elaborated. "It has a unique sound you don't hear often in the Philippines."

"Oh, glad to hear that. I like to think I'm one of a kind," James said as he let out another yawn before standing back up on his feet, his body, unfortunately, still battling the urge to just land back in bed and sleep.

"You are. Which is why I'd like to offer you a potential record deal."

James' eyes, which had been semi-close the entire conversation, abruptly fluttered open as his jaw fell.

"Wait?! Really?"

"Have you heard of DIPA Records?" The woman asked. "I'm a stockholder and recruiter in the company."

James nearly dropped his phone at the revelation. DIPA Records was one of the most well-renounced record labels in the country. It wasn't exactly underground, but it wasn't mainstream either and had a following from various audiences. Artists signed to the company were musically gifted and were known for their passion and creativity.

It was one of the record labels James daydreamed about being able to sign to and to hear someone offer him a potential deal felt surreal.

"I...am honored to receive this call," he commented. "Would you like me to send more demos of my music?" he offered.

"That would be great, though I'm very sure we'll end up signing a contract. I'm not the only one sold on you," she replied. "Just send them to our official email DIPARECORD at DIPA.org and be sure to include your address and preferred phone number for contact."

"Will do," James responded eagerly. "Thank you again! This is such an honor and working with DIPA would be a dream come true."

"It's no problem. It's our dream to watch people achieve their dreams. We'll get in touch shortly, have a nice rest of the day!"

"You too!" James replied. "Oh wait may I ask--"

The user on the other side of the phone line cut had cut the call off before James could ask what her name was. Shrugging, he called back the number in hopes that she was still close by and he can find a way to more personally thank her.

"Hello?" A man on the other line answered.

"Hi! This is James Reid, I was just speaking to a recruiter and stockholder from DIPA and I was wondering if she was still there so I can get a name," James explained.