บท 4: Negotiation
In the middle of all this, Bob and Arthur were still talking on stage, now without the microphone nearby.
The two had to basically talk in each other's ears so they could hear, because of all the mess that people were still making, now simply enjoying and dancing to the songs the DJ was playing.
"Hey man, you have to cheat more often to fight, I'll always have a spot here for you. Anyway, let's get straight to what made you fight today, the prize. There are just a few details that we need to talk about, I had said that it was a small record company just because it is a bit inconvenient for everyone to know some details. In fact, that CD belonged to just one of my brothers. "
" Here's the thing, I called in a favor from a friend who works at Columbia Records and he managed to find this room to record there, but he's just a small character and can only get you in during the early hours of the morning, which is when some rooms are empty. Furthermore, the release of what you produce in the room is not guaranteed, that is your responsibility. "
Bob said in a tone that sounded half embarrassed and half apologetic for the details he had omitted.
Faced with these new details, Arthur had a somewhat complicated look on his face, thinking about the new variables and how to make the best of the current situation.
" Damn Bob, you really left out some important details. In the early morning, man? I'm still a student! You're very lucky that it was me who won this shit, if it was those other guys they would be pissed, even if they found out, your street credibility would be gone. So I'm sure you have something in mind to make up for it, right? "
Pretending to be stressed by all the new details, Ace spilled these words. Putting on a little theater to gain an advantage in this type of negotiation.
"Hey kid, I could just threaten you to keep your mouth shut, but I think you have too much talent to be wasted in this place. So here's the thing, everything will depend on the quality of your music, if it's bad there really won't be anything I can do, but if you surprisingly manage to do something good I'll try to get you a PD contract with Columbia and help you in publicity, but of course this won't be free, you'll pay me later. "
Arthur had something that no other singer had, the absolute certainty of the success of his songs, in whatever style he sought. As a former music prospect, he had a huge music library in his head, with countless hit songs in his head, just waiting for him to have the opportunity to share them with the world and that was exactly what Bob was offering him. .
A place to record your music and a way to publish it. It was his path to stardom in exchange for a few dollars.
"Okay, I accept your proposal. How much do you want? " Despite the many thoughts in his mind about the future he did not relax his expression and kept it rigid.
"15%. But not 15% of your music but 15% of your future career, if you agree we will sign the contract tomorrow and you will become my protégé, or if you prefer you can give me 40 thousand dollars in up to 2 months, in cash. "
With this proposal Bob, who had seen the boy's raw talent, but had not seen his performance in a studio, fully aimed to hook the boy.
Firstly, no 16 year old kid from the Bronx would have 40 thousand in cash like that, much less be able to make it in 2 months. During this period when the Bronx was already one of the most dangerous districts in New York and the city had difficulty guaranteeing public safety, due to the mismanagement of the current mayor, it was strange to find a person living in these neighborhoods who had never been robbed.
Furthermore, he knew it would be Arthur's first time in a studio and there was no chance that this boy would actually be able to do something good right away, which is why he aimed for 15% of his career, knowing Ace's raw talent. Besides, by turning him into his protégé regardless of whether his career yields results or not, he could just make the kid work for him, doing some not-so-cool tasks.
His plan had no flaws, in any situation he would profit and get what he wanted, the only variable he didn't know was that Ace was a person from the future.
"Okay, let's go with the 40 thousand option. We're going to sign the contract tomorrow, the contract also needs to include your duties, helping me promote the song on the radio and getting the PD contract with Columbia. "
The PD contract which stands for Press & Distribution is a special contract from Columbia that allows them not to sign certain artists, but to publish the music by doing only the editing and distribution and retaining 66% of the profits.
"HAHAHA, it seems like winning a battle has made you very confident. I will also include in the contract that if you are unable to pay on time, I will take 30% of your future career and you will work for me. I'll come by your house at 12 noon to leave the contract, just give me your address"
" All good. Road … "
After a few hours of drinking and enjoying the clandestine event in the Park, the 3 friends, Jaime, Jessie and Arthur were leaving while laughing and playing in the streets of the Bronx. Their voices were loud and cheerful, perhaps a little because of the glasses of drinks they drank, as you could see from the half-empty glasses still in their hands. They ran back and forth through the streets, with Jaime kicking the garbage bags that were on the sides of the streets.
It was a common sight in the Bronx, a neighborhood with high crime and a lot of poverty, to see garbage bags open and completely overturned by homeless people in search of food. The streets were completely dirty because of this.
After walking through the streets during the early hours of the morning, the three began to separate. The first was Jaime, who lived further away, so just Jessie and Arthur went their separate ways while talking, coincidentally the 2 lived on the same street and had known each other since Jessie moved to their street a few years ago.
Finally they arrived at the door of Jessie's house and sat on the steps in front, they talked and laughed, teasing each other. They were like a couple in the way they treated each other.
"Well, I think I better go in Arthur, it's late and I need to study tomorrow. Thank you so much for dropping me off. "
"You know I live a few houses away Jessie, there's no need to thank you. See you later then. "
The two said goodbye quickly and as soon as Jessie entered the house, Arthur followed the path to hers. After walking for a minute alone he finally arrived home.
The clock was already past 2:00 a.m. and Arthur's mother, Gabriela, was already lying down sleeping.
She was a Brazilian woman, who came to the United States in the early 1980s, at the age of 25, fleeing the military dictatorship in force in Brazil, which years later evidence was discovered of having been supported by the American government. Gabriela then, with aspirations of living in the USA and having a better life, came to Uncle Sam's country.
At the age of 28, 3 years after moving country, she met Arthur's father who died before his son was born in a car accident. Since then she has been Arthur's mother and father, spending all her time working and leaving her self-care aside and only worrying about her son.
He checked if his mother was sleeping, adjusted her blanket and went to the bedroom, as tomorrow would be a long day.
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