CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The control room felt incredibly crowded, even though it was just the band, Ron, and Jack sitting around in the different chairs. “So,” Ron said, looking at each of us in turn. “Do we have a working concept in place? We have a meeting with the A&R people in two days.”
“We’re working through it,” Alex said. “I think we’re all…” he shrugged.
“It’s going to take longer than we thought it would, and that’s just the facts of the situation,” I said. “We’re not going to go over budget, but we might have to opt for a less aggressive marketing plan for the album.”
“What’s the state of the band?” Ron looked from me to Mark, and I pressed my lips together.
“We’re figuring it out,” Mark said brusquely. “That’s all we’re prepared to say.”
“Should I be finding you guys some kind of therapist or something?” Ron gestured in the air.
“No,” we all said.
“Fuck that shit,” Nick added.
“We just need time to sort through things,” Alex insisted. “Mark is willing to work with us, and we’re going to get down to recording the live stuff again, but it’s going to take some fucking time.”
“I just want you all to be prepared for how this is going to change the label’s perception of you,” Ron told us. “It’s not going to be low stakes. They’re pushing a bunch of money into this album, and the longer it takes to come out, the less you’re going to be able to count on momentum from the last album, the promo tour with Juniper Woolf, and the rest of it to carry you.”
“It’s going to be a good album,” Alex said firmly. “I can feel that in my bones. It’s just going to be a situation where we can’t rush it.”
“Fuck,” Jules said, shaking his head. “We’ve managed to put out an album, tour it, and come back to work on another album every fucking two years for the past six. They can afford to let us take a little longer this time.”
“That’s not the way that labels typically think,” Ron warned us. “Normally, they think that you need to keep grinding as long as there’s a demand.”
“So they want us to burn out? Because that’s what it sounds like,” Alex said tartly. I snorted.
“They’re interested in making as much money from us for as long as possible and then when they can’t make money anymore, they kick us off the roster,” I said. “That’s their whole business model.”
“Let’s not be cynical,” Ron said.
“It’s not cynical, it’s the truth,” Jules countered. “As long as we’re making money for them, they’re happy to have us. When we’re spending their money, they want to make sure every fucking cent is accounted for.”
“Can you blame them?” Ron looked at Jules, raising an eyebrow.
“I’d hope that after a few stellar albums that made them decent money, they’d trust us,” Nick said. “I’d hope that they’ve gotten the idea by now that we’re a decent investment.”
“They wouldn’t have given you this budget if they didn’t think that,” Ron said, shrugging. “But it’s a lot of fucking money. They want to make sure you’re not pissing it away.”
“We’ve submitted all the accounting they’ve ever asked for,” Alex protested.
“And you had a full week where the studio was being paid for and nothing was happening” Ron countered. “They’re worried. It’s my job to un-worry them. It’s your job to un-worry me.”
“We’re okay,” I said, after a moment where everyone in the room went quiet. “Mark and I can stand to be in the same room as each other now. We’re reworking a lot of stuff, which will only make the album better in the end.”
“I’m going to go on record here and say that while the album they were building before wasn’t shit, it was maybe two steps above that,” Jack said. “I’m a lot more interested in the stuff they’re working on now. It’s stronger material. They’re making it better. That’s all the label needs to know and that’s all I’m personally going to tell them.” I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like we all held our breath for a moment or two.
“When do you think you’ll have an album for them to listen to?” Ron looked at each of us.
“We’re starting over...not from scratch, but from a way earlier point in the process,” Alex told him. “It may be another month before we have it nailed down enough to show them anything.”
The meeting went on, but I’d more or less checked out. No matter what Ron said, the fact of the matter was that we were going to go over-schedule, even if we didn’t go over the budget. The entire band had met up about a week after I confronted Mark, and we’d come to the conclusion that all of us hated the direction the album was going in, and none of us were happy with the state the band was in. It was going to take however long it was going to take, but we ended up scrapping 90% of what we’d already recorded, going back to the demos.
“For the record,” Ron said, in a tone of voice that called me out of my thoughts, “the label isn’t going to like it. They’ll live with it, because they’ve already committed the money and because they’re bound by contract, but they’re not going to like it. This had better be the best fucking album you guys have ever turned in.”
“It’ll go platinum,” Alex said dryly, and we all laughed.
“At this point, that would be a saving grace for you all,” Ron said more seriously. He took a deep breath and sighed. “I’ll meet with the label, and give them the news. Keep me posted.”
He left the control room, and the rest of the guys started to wander off as well; we were planning on getting to work in a couple of hours, but they’d all want to catch their girlfriends up on current events. Eventually, it was just Mark and me in the control room, and I felt the lingering tension between us. It was getting better, but it wasn’t like one conversation, or even a few, were going to make everything the way it had been before.
“Hey--Dan,” Mark said after a few moments’ silence stretched out between us.
“Yeah?” Mark met my gaze and looked down and then looked at me again.
“You planning on going to Respects tonight?” I felt my throat tighten, but I didn’t lie.
“Yeah, I was going to hang out, since Sophie’s on.” Mark took a deep breath.
“I’ll buy a couple of drinks, if you want the company,” he said, not quite looking at me.
“Awesome,” I said, smiling as best as I could. “When Soph’s busy it gets super boring. I’d love to have some company.” I paused for a moment, watching Mark; we were getting better, but I’d seen him taking a breath when I’d mentioned Sophie. “Are we okay about the Sophie thing? I mean if you’re still pissed about it…”
“It’s whatever,” Mark said with a shrug. “See if she’s got any cute friends I can chat up and I’ll consider us even.” I laughed.
“You know, I don’t get to talk about her to anyone, really,” I told Mark, looking down at my hands.
“Why not? Fucking Alex bitches and complains and talks up Mary, and you’d think from what Nick says that Olivia’s got some kind of fucking beer tap installed in her boobs, he’s so into her.” I shrugged.
“I just don’t really talk to them the way I used to with you before everything went to shit.” I’d gotten closer to Nick since Mark had thrown his tantrum, but I still didn’t feel comfortable enough with him to talk about Sophie.
“So talk to me, man,” Mark said.
“You sure about that?” Mark didn’t hesitate. He nodded and sat back in his chair.
“I just don’t know,” I told him. I plucked a cigarette out of my pack and lit it. “Obviously, I’m into her, you know?” Mark snorted.
“Obvious is one word for it,” he said.
“And like, she’s into me, but the thing is, assuming we get this album done in time, we’re going to be touring in a while. That’s not easy on relationships.”
“She dealt with me chewing you out and being an asshole about her taking up with you,” Mark pointed out. “Hell--she fucking texted me almost every day after I stopped talking to you.” I felt my eyes widened.
“She did?” Mark nodded.
“She said if I wanted to be mad at her that she would take her lumps for making a bad choice, but that she knew the band made you too happy for her not to fight for you,” Mark told me. “Gotta say, she did a better job of trying to convince me than any of you assholes did.” I chuckled at that.
“So, you really think it’s going to work out?” Mark rolled his eyes.
“Brother, if it doesn’t work out, that shit is going to be 100% on you, and I’m going to be the first one laughing in your face about it.” He paused and licked his lips. “I’ll refrain from trying to snipe her if you fuck up though.”
“You’d better,” I told him. “I don’t intend to fuck this up.”
“Just saying, if the thing ends, it’ll be your fault. She’s into you.” I smiled and tried to remember if Sophie had mentioned liking flowers; I thought I should get her some. “Now if only I could have half the luck you do…”
“You’ll get there,” I told Mark. “There’s some girl out there that doesn’t even know it yet, but she’s going to be all head over heels for you and shit.” Mark laughed.
“Maybe I’ll meet her tonight,” he suggested. I smirked.
“Only one way to find out,” I pointed out. “And you’re friends with the bartender’s boyfriend. You can totally get all the details and impress the fuck out of whoever it is.” Mark laughed and shook his head.
“Yeah, I’ll come out tonight,” he said. “We’ll see how long I can milk this ‘most eligible bachelor in the scene’ thing before some chick comes and sweeps me off my feet.” I finished my cigarette and got up to leave; I needed to see if there were any florist shops open on my way home.
THE END