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“You can’t continue with these actions any longer or you will be cut. It’s time to clean up and get Osiris back to the status y’all had five years ago.”
He sits quietly for a few seconds.
I glance around the room, gathering the expressions of the others after they saw Simon and my exchange. Some gapes give the impression of all hope is lost; others seem a bit optimistic…a bit. I look back to Simon and await his response.
He looks again over the spreadsheet I gave him; this time reviewing it closely. “And how do you propose we do that, love?”
I let out a sigh of relief, thankful he’s at least wanting to hear my plans for a turn around.
“I think we should do a presser. You will make a simple statement saying that you are in counseling for your behavior. Now of course, you will not disclose your treatment further than that, but them knowing that you are, will gain sympathy and a few sympathy dollars in the way of streams and downloads.”
“Okay. Seems fair enough. Anything else?”
“There is a lot, Simon. I also think you guys may need to work on a new sound.”
“Rubbish. We are not sacrificing the sound we have built over the past seven years just to turn a quid.”
The band nod in agreement with some incessantchatter amongst them.
“No. I’m not saying change your style. I’m saying go back to your roots when it was fresh and new and reinvent that sound instead of what you have out now.”
“Have you ever listened to our music, ducky?”
Generally, I would say no as I am not a fan of the Rock genre, but when I was approached to take them on, I had to envelop myself into the music I would be speaking to. “Yes, I have. Did you think I would take on an assignment without knowing my artist?”
“Okay love, then tell me, what is your favorite song, and off what album?” Simon puts me on the spot, and I have to think fast.
There are a few songs that I had on repeat during my workout one day. They seem to fit my mood. “I love ‘Burn’ from the Deadly Sins album. That was your second studio release back in 2007. But my favorite is ‘Love’s War’. I think the ballad was heartfelt. I could feel your emotions when you sing. That was off your third studio release in 2009.”
“Okay, cheeky girl. You’ve done your homework. I will give it a go. We will give it a go.”
“Great!” Lenny exclaims. “Now let us get the signature on these contracts officially naming Ms. Johnson as your PR rep for public release.”
“Wait, wait. I have one small request,” Simon states boldly, stopping all celebration.
“What is it now?” Lenny huffs.
He looks at me and smiles wide. “Ms. Johnson here has to be present at all our rehearsals, performances, and tours. After all, she has our image in her pretty little hands. I would like to think she would want to see her work pay off firsthand.”
“She has other clients.”
“Buy out those contracts. I want her to be there with every move. She needs to be accessible to me if I should want to go on a bender or bang-fest.”
I think about his request, and I feel it is more of a challenge than anything else.
“Sorry, Simon. I- I can’t —” Lenny stammers.
“I’ll do it,” I say, calling his bluff.
Lenny turns and eyes me, his mouth agape. “Uh, are you sure? This will take a lot of your personal time.”
“Yes, I’m sure. I know that it will be a lot to handle, but I am always up for a challenge. And don’t worry about those contracts, I will let the agency and Carter know they can get someone to cover. Those clients aren’t nearly as difficult to handle.”
“Of course not. They’re babies and teeny boppers. Yeah, I did my homework on you too. You have one female singer, one male singer, and four boy bands under your belt. I’m sure anyone can handle the likes of them. Question is, can you handle me?”
His lips pull up into a smirk. I know he may have a hidden innuendo underneath those pearly whites, but he is barking up the wrong tree. “Mr. Ashton, I can handle anything you think you can throw at me,” I retort.
“Sounds like a challenge.”
