Chapter 24
He let out a deep breath. "Good. Now this is a contract for the next three years. You'll get a three-million-dollar advance of which I will receive six percent." Then, he looked into my eyes. "Hang on to this money, Alyssa, because the studio will recuperate this advance out of your royalties off the top before any more royalties will be paid."
I cleared my throat, keeping my cool. "How much is the royalty, and do you take your cut before or after taxes?"
He nodded. "Your studio artist royalty is eighteen percent, higher than usual. But, again, I heard the tapes and I feel " Then he looked around the room. "We all feel that you will be an instant success, so you deserved it. Also, you will receive royalties from your tours. You will receive more when you are a headliner, but less as a front band. You will receive these royalties in monthly installments."
I looked into his eyes. "Who pays for my traveling expenses and the expenses of my band?"
"The studio," he said. "We have secured a band for you, and you will begin practicing with them tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Craig nodded. "Yes; as soon as possible. Alyssa, I'm not going to lie to you. You and your band will need to be tight before your tour with Tasha, which means that you all will have to work day and night to perfect your sound."
We went back and forth, negotiating the rest of the terms until he finally asked, "Do you have any questions?"
"Who pays the band?" I asked.
"The studio, for now," he said. "When and if you have your own band, we'll have to renegotiate a contract for both you and your band. As it is, they have received a separate contract until that time comes. Do you understand the terms of this contract?"
I nodded. "Yes, for now. But if I have any questions"
"Feel free to ask," he finished. "If you are in agreement, you can sign. Then we'll break for an early dinner, and you, Frank, and me will go over the tapes and will then decide which singles that we will include in your first album. We'll save the rest. It'll be a good start on the second album."
My head was spinning with all of the technical jargon. I swore that I would take a class in the future to understand more of what I was signing. But that was why I had an agent, right? Although I had just met Craig, I trusted Frank, so I wasn't worried.
The negotiations continued, but soon came to a close. To my amazement, I looked at the clock and it was three-thirty in the afternoon. "Wow. Time flies when you're having fun."
Craig laughed as he snapped his briefcase closed. "That it does." Then, he stretched out his hand to me. "Welcome to SDC Studios!"
I shook his hand, smiling. "Thanks for everything. I'm very excited."
"I can tell!" he said as he returned the smile.
"Congratulations, Alyssa!" Frank said, smiling as he shook my hand, never leaving throughout the negotiations. "Trust me; you got a better deal than Tasha did right off the bat."
"Thank you, Frank," I said, also shaking his hand. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."
He laughed. "Don't mention it." Then, he lowered his voice conspiratorially. "A word of advice: don't tell anyone the deal you got. Other artists may be jealous."
I laughed. "Okay. I won't." I knew that he was talking about Logan and his band. Somehow, I wondered what kind of deal they got.
Craig looked at his watch. "Frank and Alyssa, we'll meet back here at say five o'clock? That gives us an hour to grab a bite and then come back here to go over the tapes."
"Sounds good." I grabbed my purse and started fishing around for my car keys.
"Here," Craig said. "Let me take you out for dinner. We can discuss the rest of the details."
I shook my head. "No. I'm fine. I have someone I want to see."
"I insist," Craig said, picking up his briefcase. Frank narrowed his eyes at him, but Craig pretended not to notice. "My treat." Then, he turned to Frank. "You're welcome to join us."
Frank shook his head. "No. I'm good. I'm ordering in. I have some things to go over here."
Craig smiled. "Well, Alyssa, that just leaves you and me."
I thought for a minute. Could it really hurt to have lunch with my new manager? "Okay. As long as we can go to Powder Keg Tavern. There's a waitress there that introduced me to Tasha, and I'd like to thank her."
Craig's face lit up. "Then, Powder Keg Tavern it is!"
Frank grabbed Craig's arm, stopping him. "Alyssa, why don't you go on out to the foyer for a minute? I'd like to talk to Craig alone."
I nodded, smiling. "Sure. Thanks, again, Frank." Then, I turned to Craig. "I'll see you in just a bit."
He nodded as a smile spread across his face. "I'll be there in a minute."
I nodded and then headed toward the door, as everyone in the room stopped me to offer their congratulations. Out of the corner of my eye, Frank looked like he was having a few heated words with Craig. For a moment, I wondered what it was about, but a part of me was glad that I didn't. A moment later, Craig crossed the room and motioned toward me, as Frank shook his head behind him. Something about it made me feel uneasy.
"Look: I think I'll take a rain check on dinner, Craig," I said, fumbling with my car keys. "I just remembered that I need to get a cell phone. I think I'll grab a quick bite while I'm out."
"Then, I'll go with you," Craig insisted.
"Look!" I said, placing my hand on his chest to stop him. "I know you're my manager now, but that's it. Got it? I already have a boyfriend."
Craig laughed. "Is that what you think? That I have ulterior motives?"
I studied his face for a moment, but it gave nothing away. "Well, it sounds kind of silly when you put it like that. But just as long as you know that it's just business between us. Nothing more."
He crossed his chest as an innocent look appeared in his eyes. "It's just business. I promise." He let out a deep breath. "Have lunch with me and we can talk business."
I nodded. "Okay," I said reluctantly as I walked out the door with Craig.
