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“Since it stopped being fun.”
Theo filled a glass and set it on the bar. “One club soda with ice.”
“Thank you,” said Amongus.
Theo did a double take, then smiled and wagged his finger, as if he were on to him. “You’re fucking with us, right? Amongus Sicario is suddenly Mr. Straight and Mr. Manners? You had me going there for a second.”
“People change,” he said, deadly serious. Then he looked at Imani. “Once upon a time, a person might be president of Musicians Against Piracy. Next thing you know, they’re telling their fans to ‘go pirate.’”
Imani sighed deeply. “Come on, man. I’m celebrating here.”
“Telling people to steal music is fucked up,” said Amongus.
“I’m telling them to stealmymusic.”
“That’s not what people are hearing. Check out any piracy website you want. You can watch it happen in real time. Piracy is way up for everyone, not just your music.”
“That wasn’t my intent,” said Imani.
“Then do something about it, girl. Come back to MAP. Come back to the organization you and me founded.”
“And do what?”
“Retracting your ‘go pirate’ message would be a good start.”
“Say what? I just went through courtroom hell to defend my right to deliver that message.”
“And you made your point. You embarrassed your ex-husband, who deserves all the indigestion you can give him.Felicidades.”
“That’s not what this was about.”
“Oh, cut the bullshit, Imani. Can’t you see the damage you’re doing? Half the fucking world under the age of twenty-five thinks there’s nothing wrong with stealing in cyberspace. If they can figure out a way to get my shit online without paying for it, it’s not their fault for stealing it, it’smyfault for not protecting it. You, me, and everyone at MAP worked so hard to make people understand that piracy hurts artists. Now you’re telling them it’s okay.”
“How many times do I have to say this, Amongus? I’m telling them it’s okay to piratemysongs.”
“That’s like telling a recovering junkie it’s okay to do just one more hit. You think they’re gonna stop at just one?”
She didn’t answer.
Amongus opened his wallet and placed a ten-dollar bill on the bar. “MAP wants you back, Imani.”
She shook her head. “I left because MAP was doing some sketchy shit. Shaky’s lawyer asked me about it at the hearing today—about MAP breaking the law. I didn’t tell her the half of it. People had some batshit crazy ideas on how to stop piracy.”
“That’s why we need you back,” said Amongus. “You’re making that crazy shit sound like our only option. There’s people who think the answer is to do something drastic.”
“Like what?”
“Nothing’s off the table. Use your imagination.” Amongus grabbed a napkin from the bar, jotted his personal cell number on it, and gave it to Imani. “Call me. We need you.”
Theo and Imani watched as Amongus and his two bodyguards walked to the exit. Then Imani glanced at Theo.
“Didn’t see that coming,” she said.
“The unlikely prophet,” said Theo.
“Good title for a song.”
Theo wiped down the bar top. Imani was retreating into her own thoughts, which was not necessarily wise after losing count of tequila shots.
