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“I’m Mari. Nice to meet you.” Just as I’m about to ask her what the Depths are, Kiyoshi emerges from the office with his hair tousled and his tie slightly off to the side.Okay,I’m going to have to look before I sit anywhere in that office.
“You. You may see Miss Sagawa now,” Kiyoshi says, looking at Connie.
“Good luck!” I say to her as she stands up, even though I don’t fully understand what she’s here to see Miss Sagawa about.
“Thank you,“ She replies with an appreciative smile before disappearing behind the closing doors to Sonomi Sagawa’s office.
As I wait, I see a small picture of my mother on the wall. The dates on the label are from when she signed here until the year she died. A sigh escapes my mouth as I start to think of the rumors about Mom. She had been killed in an accident while swimming, I was told. Uncle Suki’s ex-girlfriend told me that my mom had fallen in with the wrong people and started using drugs when her singing career began to take off. Some people said she even started sleeping around behind my dad’s back. She was found on the shore of the river, dead from an overdose ten years ago.
I’m jarred from my thoughts as Connie comes rushing out of the office, dropping a piece of paper on the floor. I pick it up and notice a stamp on it that looks like some kind of scary sea monster, then hand it back to her. A tear falls down her cheek. I’m about to ask her if she’s alright when she shakes her head and moves passed me just as Kiyoshi clears his throat.
“Miss Sagawa will see you now, Miss Yumiko.”
I enter Sonomi Sagawa’s office, hoping everything will be alright for Connie. The office is large and luxurious, with a wall-size window revealing a beautiful view of the Delaware River and the train tracks that run alongside it. I can’t help but notice how easily people on passing trains could see inside here as I look at the couch and notice a cufflink which I’m sure came from Kiyoshi’s suit. Looking back around, Miss Sagawa is gesturing for me to have a seat in one of the two comfortable-looking chairs just across from her. I notice a roller stamp on the left side of her desk with the same picture that was on the paper I picked up for Connie a few moments ago.
“Hello, Marika. I see you have quite the resume,” Miss Sagawa says while looking down at an open folder. “Even some of the talent who have contracts here, with me, sing songs written by you. But you have singer listed on the position you are applying for.”
“Yes, Miss Sagawa. I want to sing my songs. I included demos with my application.”
“I heard them!” she says enthusiastically, looking through the pages of new songs I’ve written. She continues, “You’re good, very good, but I have enough singers. The stuff they write for themselves or have friends and family write for them sucks, if I may be so blunt. I want these songs for the big-name talent I already manage.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Sagawa, but if I just wanted to write songs, I could continue on at Yummy Studio,” I say in protest, surprising myself with my firm tone.
“Yummy Studio. Yes, your father is Yuuto Yumiko. I’m not surprised you did not list him as a reference. I am, however, surprised you did not bring your uncle, Maresuke Yumiko, to represent you. I’m sure you know he represents some of the talent here. But you don’t need him today anyway. Your father disapproves of large production companies like this one, I know. I understand you’re wanting to get out from his independent studio. You know there are more risks here, but you realize there are more rewards here as well, including a review of your contract after three years, and you will more than likely get to sing your songs then! And please call me Sonomi.”
I nod at what sounds like a combination of a lecture and a sales pitch. Sonomi slides a stack of documents and a pen directly in front of me. It’s a contract. I look at the empty seat next to me and wish I had asked my uncle—No! Not Uncle Suki. But I do wish I had asked another talent agent to represent me.
Sonomi looks at the empty chair and then at me. She smiles big as she extends an arm to point at the contract.
“You don’t need representation for this,” she says. “It’s a no-brainer, sweety. A three-year contract with a big signing bonus and a luxurious apartment office suite here at Siren Sound Studios!”
I try to read through the contract but can’t concentrate on it as I think of the signing bonus money, free apartment, and the best part, it sounds like I’ll be able to sing my songs after three years. A few years doesn’t sound that long, considering I don’t think Dad will ever let me sing my songs.
“Can I have someone look at this, Sonomi?” I ask while still trying to read parts of the contract.
“Sorry, sweety, but the only way that contract leaves this office is as a copy with your signature. You can read through it here if you like, but I have another meeting scheduled in half an hour, so you will have to make up your mind before then. Again,everythingis contingent upon you signing before you leave this office today.”
“Can you tell me what ‘The Depths’ are?” I think suddenly and ask.
“Oh, sweety, it’s not something someone with your talent should worry about! It’s just a nickname for the place on the lower level where those who don’t live up to their end of the contract agree to go and work. They do what they can to help make up for the losses in investment. Kiyoshi out there was sent to the Depths a year ago and trained to become my secretary and receptionist. It’s not a bad alternative for those who don’t have what it takes. I think you can tell Kiyoshi is quite content. Itismentioned in your contract, but we both know it’s not something you should worry about.”
Kiyoshi does seem happy. I hope it works out for Connie too, but I have to think about what I’m going to do now. I look down and read while trying to concentrate this time. There’s something about Siren Studio’s right to sell the contract to a third party and afirst-refusal buy-backclause. This has to be just standard, boring contract details. And oh my gosh, I can’t stop thinking about the apartment! And the bonuses! And the best part is being able to sing before I’m twenty-five if I just sign this paper right now! I take a deep breath, pick up the pen, and sign my name.
The office door swings open swiftly behind me. I look over my shoulder to see two big men in suits rush in, one Asian and one I think is European-American. He’s tall and gorgeous, and I know I’ve seen that brilliant, blonde hair before.
A red-faced Kiyoshi rushes in behind them. He starts speaking with a bit of a stutter, “I-I’m sorry, Miss Sagawa. I told them you were in a meeting. Th-they ignored me and b-barged past me like I wasn’t even there.”
I definitely can’t concentrate on the contract now, mainly because of the interruption in general. But I also can’t stop looking at the blonde man.
“Youweren’tthere. Now go back to your desk and be a good boy toy,” the Asian man says as he looks at Sonomi. “I hope he’s good for other things because he’s shit at security.”
“Do you miss working under me, Kat? You were better at security, but Kiyoshi is better at other things,” she says with a smirk.
“You know I don’t,” the Asian man spits back with a disgusted sneer.
The heated conversation continues around me, though I’m not really listening until the blonde man finally speaks.
“Marika Yumiko?” I’m shocked at hearing him say my name. It’s the guy from this morning. Perhaps he found out who I am from my clothes. Not sure what I’m going to say, I open my mouth to speak. But just then, two more big, Asian men in suits enter the office. Kiyoshi picks up my contract, and Sonomi turns to him.
