by Carlos King
Mrs. Hobbs tells her husband goodbye and hangs up the phone. She looks up at Alexis with a hint of gloom embedded in her face. It’s an expression that’s quickly erased when Mrs. Hobbs begins to smile brightly.
“No,” Alexis said in disbelief.
Mrs. Hobbs excitedly counters, “Yes!”
“Stop playing.”
“You have a noon appointment with him this Thursday,” Mrs. Hobbs detailed. “He’ll be waiting for you in his office. My husband will get the man’s name, the address and his office number later on tonight. I’ll bring them in tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, my God,” Alexis shouted, excited. “I can’t believe this is happening. I need to find something to wear! I need to find something to sing! Should I sing something I wrote or should I sing something he’ll already know?! Or is he gone give me something on the spot to sing?! I need to get my hair done!”
“Calm down, honey. I know you’re excited, but you’re gonna give yourself a heart attack if you keep all that up. Don’t worry about your hair or your clothes right now. We can focus on that later. What you need to do is go up to your room, pull out that song you were singing earlier because that song will knock anyone’s socks off. Now, you got about four days to practice that song until it feels perfect. We’ll go shopping for your hair and outfit as soon as you get that done, okay?”
“I don’t have any extra money to go shopping,” Alexis divulged.
“Don’t worry about that. I don’t think I’ll lose my house if I help you get a few things for yourself. We have to make sure you’re a head-turner when you walk up in that place. We can’t send you in there wearing any old thing.”
“I can’t let you do that, Mrs. Hobbs.”
“Luckily for us you don’t have any say in the matter because this isn’t a democracy, Ms. Robinson. This is the dictatorship of Marlene Hobbs. And if I say you’re gonna let me polish you up for your meeting, then that’s exactly what you’re gonna let me do.”
Smiling, Alexis nods her head in accordance with Mrs. Hobbs’ demands. “I don’t know how to thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“Just remember me when you get big. Remember all of us. Most of all, Alexis, make sure you remember yourself and where you came from. Can you do that for me?” Mrs. Hobbs asked.
“You got it. I promise.”
“Now get out of here and go finish putting that song together,” Mrs. Hobbs playfully demanded. “Time is ticking.”
Alexis laughs and exits the office. Mrs. Hobbs remains seated at her desk, still smiling about the great news she and Alexis received. “That girl’s gonna make…She’s really gonna make…” she repeated to herself. She reaches into her desk drawer, picks out a folder and gets back to her work.
CHAPTER 25
ALL THAT SHINES ISN’T GOLD
A yellow cab pulls in front a massive building and parks alongside the curb, where it is met by an eagerly awaiting doorman. The handsome, mid-twenties doorman opens the backdoor and out steps a glamorously made over Alexis. As soon as she exits the cab the first thing that strikes her interest is the amazing stature of the enormous and extremely polished building. She believes she’s at the right place, but decides to ask the doorman for confirmation.
“Excuse me, but is this Top Hit Records?”
“Yes it is, ma’am. Is there anything I can help you with?” he readily replied.
“No, thank you…I’m fine.”
“Yes you are,” the doorman uttered underneath his breath, closing the cab door.
As Alexis walks toward the dual doors of the establishment, the doorman rushes past her and respectfully opens it for her.
Once inside, Alexis glances around the stylish lobby until she spots the main desk. She nervously heads toward the desk and is given a friendly smile by the receptionist upon her approach.
“Hi, my name is Alexis Robinson. I have a twelve o’clock appointment with Jason Jones.”
“One moment please,” the receptionist cheerfully responded. The perky young receptionist picks up her phone and dials. When the person on the opposite end picks up, the receptionists goes on to say, “Mr. Jones, there’s a young lady down here who says she has a noon appointment with you. Is it okay to send her up? Thank you, sir.” The receptionist places the phone sets the phone down and looks up at Alexis with a pleasant grin. “He’s expecting you, Ms. Robinson. Take the elevator up to the twenty-first floor and head straight up the hallway. Mr. Jones has the very last office on the right-hand side.”
“Thank you so much,” said Alexis.
“Don’t mention it. Good luck.”
Alexis follows the receptionist’s directions and before she knows it, she’s standing directly in front of Mr. Jones’ door. Alexis’ heart is pounding through her chest, her palms are sweaty and she has butterflies fluttering in her stomach. One side of her wants her to knock on the door, but another side of her is urging her to walk away. Before her rising trepidation forces her to walk away, she hastily knocks on the door.
“Come on in,” a male voice said from inside the office.
Alexis pushes the door open and spots a man, Jason Jones, sitting at his desk, talking on his cell phone. The well dressed man personifies the typical stereotype that goes along with a successful record exec. Alexis takes note of his fancy watch, fresh haircut, his fashionable clothing and his overconfident attitude.
It’s only when Jason catches a glimpse of Alexis’ hypnotizing beauty that he promptly ends his call and sets his attention solely on her. “Alexis, right?” he asked.
“Yes. Jason Jones?”
“The one and only, baby. Now, I heard through the bricks that you got some killer talent when it comes to the vocals. Is this true?”
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“Modesty and beauty? That’s definitely a rare delicacy in this business. Well, let me tell you how this goes…I’m gonna sit right here at my desk and you’re gonna put your heart and soul into a single verse and chorus of a song. You get one chance and one chance only to show me what you got. If I like what I hear we’ll move on. If I don’t like what I hear, I’ll politely thank you for coming by and send you on your way. So, are you ready for this?”
“I hope so,” Alexis nervously replied.
Trying to make Alexis feel more comfortable, Jason tells her, “Close your eyes and pretend that I’m not even here. That tends to help sometimes.”
Alexis thanks Jason for his suggestion. She begins preparing herself for what could be her most crucial performance to date. She decides to utilize Jason’s advice. She closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths. When she reopens her eyes, she discovers that she’s back on stage in her beautiful all-white dress in front of thousands of screaming fans. As soon as the instruments begin to play, the crowd grows calm. Alexis steps up to the microphone and starts to sing in the most angelic tone imaginable.
When she completes a full verse and chorus to her song she takes one step back from the microphone and closes her eyes. When she reopens them, she finds herself back in Jason’s office standing in front of his desk. Jason is still seated behind his desk, a shocked expression on his face. The sound of someone clapping from behind Alexis urges her to turn around. She observes a heavyset, older male dressed in a sleek white suit standing in the doorway.
Alexis turns back to Jason and asks, “So how did I do?”
Jason stands up and walks toward Alexis. He stands directly in front of her with a blank expression. “I’d like to thank you for coming in, Mrs. Robinson,” he started. Hearing this, Alexis automatically thinks the worst case scenario. Jason goes on to add, “Because you have just made my year!” he exclaimed.
“What?! Really?!” she excitedly responded.
Jason continues to express his delight with her voice. “That’s the best damn vocalization I’ve heard all year! And what was that song you were singing?”
“Why? You like it?” she asked.
“Like it? I loved it! I
t has a little of a retro sound to it…I dig that. That type of sound makes a grown-ass man wanna cry. Where you get it from?”
“I wrote it,” Alexis proudly stated.
“You lying,” Jason smiled.
“No, I’m serious. I’ve written a lot of songs over the last six months.”
“I think I’m gone be able to vacation early this year,” Jason said with a smirk, facing the large man in the white suit.
The man wearing the white suit suddenly interrupts the celebratory moment. “Aren’t you going to introduce me, Jason?” the man asked in a deep, yet very smooth voice.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Washington. Alexis, this is Mr. Washington. He’s runs this label. Mr. Washington, this is Alexis Robinson. She’s a new prospect that I was just about to sign.”
Alexis is overrun with happiness when she hears this. But to the surprise of Alexis and Jason, Mr. Washington decides to alter Jason’s plans.
Mr. Washington says, “I’ll take care of this one, Jason. A talent like this one needs to be in the most experienced hands available, and it just so happens, I’m available,” he concluded in a seductive tone.
Unmoved by his boss’ words, Jason retorts, “I can handle this, sir. I’ve already got things plotted in my mind on how I wanna get her started.”
“I’m sure you do, Jason, but I’ve got much bigger plans for Ms. Robinson. Ms. Robinson, please follow me. I want you and me to get to work in the studio ASAP. I can’t wait to hear more about some of your writings. Still ecstatic about the good news, Alexis contentedly follows Mr. Washington out of Jason’s office and down several floors to the recording studio.
Meanwhile, Jason remains in his office, deeply troubled by what has just occurred, but he seems to be bothered even more by what he believes are Mr. Washington’s true intentions for Alexis, which have absolutely nothing to do with music.
CHAPTER 26
A CHANGE HAS COME
Alexis is in the recording booth singing one of her songs over an instrumental beat. When the song is over and the beat fades down, Mr. Washington gets on the intercom. “That was real good, Alexis. You can take five, baby.”
Alexis removes the headset and walks back into the main room of the studio with Mr. Washington.
Taking a puff from his cigar, Mr. Washington addresses Alexis. “I don’t know where you came from, but you got some killer skills. Have you had a chance to copyright any of your work yet?”
“Copyright? No, I haven’t copywritten anything,” Alexis answered.
Laughing at Alexis’ response, Mr. Washington says, “Don’t worry about all that. We’ll take care of the formalities later on. Right now, I got some other stuff we need to go over.”
Still in a euphoric state, Alexis cheerfully asks, “Like what?”
“Well,” Mr. Washington slyly began as he moved in closer to Alexis, “Studio time and promotional fees that accrue when trying to hype up an album aren’t cheap, you know? Now, I’m perfectly willing to have the company bankroll any expenses you might accumulate, but in order for me to do that, I want to know what you’re willing to do for me,” he finished, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Knowing exactly what Mr. Washington is hinting at, Alexis pushes away from him and takes several steps back. “I should’ve known. It’s always a catch with you mothafuc…You know what? This was a mistake. I’m sorry I wasted your time. You can destroy, erase or do whatever it is y’all do when y’all don’t need a track no more. I’m not interested in doing business with this company anymore,” Alexis angrily avowed. She grabs her purse and prepares to walk out when Mr. Washington blocks her path.
“Where the hell you think you going?”
“I’m leaving. I don’t know what you think this is, but it ain’t that. Since you don’t take me seriously enough to wanna do business—”
Alexis is unexpectedly cut off when she’s slapped to the ground by Mr. Washington.
“Don’t get it twisted, bitch. This shit is whatever I say it is,” he asserted. Mr. Washington locks the studio door. He turns back toward Alexis. “I run this fucking building and everyone in it. From the second your ass stepped in that booth, I owned you. Now, with that being said, get your ass up, take off them clothes and go get on that fucking couch. And you better hurry up before I lose my patience.”
Alexis slowly gets up and wipes a small amount of blood from the corner of her mouth. But the one thing she doesn’t do is follow Mr. Washington’s orders. Instead of taking off her clothes and getting on the couch, she stands boldly in front of him, refusing to budge an inch.
“I think you better what you were told and get yo’ ass on that couch,” Mr. Washington demanded once more.
Alexis stares him right in the eyes, her expression unyielding. “No.”
Mr. Washington gives a smirk, which is swiftly followed by the swinging of his open hand towards Alexis’ face. Only this time, Alexis is ready for him and surprises him with an action he didn’t anticipate.
Using the tactics she learned in her self-defense class, Alexis catches Mr. Washington’s hand before it connects with her face and twists his arm as hard as she could. With Mr. Washington bent over, Alexis knees him in the stomach before tripping him to the floor. Ignoring this as a sign for needful retreat, Mr. Washington gets up and tries to salvage what’s left of his pride by storming towards Alexis at full speed. Alexis shows why she’s the most advanced student in her defense class when easily uses Mr. Washington’s momentum against him by using her hip to flip him over.
Alexis goes on a relentless assault, kicking Mr. Washington in the groin repeatedly. The sounds of his agonizing screams and desperate pleads for help prove useless. The walls of the studio are soundproof.
A few hours later, Alexis returns home and tells Mrs. Hobbs and a few of her fellow roommates all about her encounter with Mr. Washington and how well she handled herself. The group shared quite a laugh at Mr. Washington’s expense.
“I wish I would’ve been there to see that bastard get his ass whooped,” Mrs. Hobbs managed to articulate in between laughs. “I just hope he doesn’t try and save face by trying to press charges.”
Alexis assuredly asserts, “The last thing he’ll do is press charges. To do that he’ll have to tell them the whole story, and that’s a story he won’t look to good in no matter how he tries to tell it.”
“What do you mean?” one of the other girls asked.
“Well, what is he gone tell them? That he tried to rape me and I kicked his ass to defend myself? Or is he gone tell them that I just whooped his ass for no good reason? Either way, it doesn’t look good for him. So I’m pretty sure this is a situation he’ll never speak of again. Trust me.”
As the women continue to sit and chat, another female resident of the shelter lightly taps on the door to get their attention. When she finally gets the awareness of the women, the female resident says, “Didn’t mean to interrupt, but, Alexis, you have company.”
The female resident steps aside and points the visitor into the room where the women are seated. In walks Jason Jones. Puzzled as to why he’s there and believing that he’s just as conniving as his boss, Alexis isn’t exactly welcoming to his presence.
“What do you want?” Alexis asked. “Did your boss send you here to start some more shit?”
Instantly realizing what Alexis is referring to, every woman within the room, including Mrs. Hobbs, stare at Jason with evil intent in their eyes.
Hoping to avoid trouble, Jason sincerely tries to seek forgiveness for his boss’s actions. “Look, I’m not here to start nothing, Alexis. I just came to apologize for what happened today.”
“How do you know what happened? I know your boss ain’t up there bragging about getting his ass beat by a girl.”
“He didn’t have to. It’s like a ritual for people to abuse their power up there and Mr. Washington is the ring leader. And since a lot of people are desperate to break into the industry, they tend to oblige. I had a feeling yo
u wouldn’t be one of those people, though. As far as him bragging about getting stomped by a girl, he doesn’t have to say a word. His busted lip and the dark ring around his eye he’s been trying to hide said it all,” said Jason, grinning.
“Yeah, well, he better be lucky it wasn’t me he pulled that shit on,” one of Alexis’ friends said. “I’d be in a maximum security prison by now.”
“Is that all you came for?” Alexis asked Jason.
“No, there was something else I wanted to talk to you about. Is there somewhere we can go more private?”
Mrs. Hobbs interjects, “Do you think she’s going to talk to you or anyone from you company after what she went through today?”
“It’s okay. He’s only half of Mr. Washington’s size. I could kick his ass easily if need be,” Alexis joked.
“Okay, honey. We’ll be in here if you need us.” Mrs. Hobbs told her, giving Jason an evil eye.
Alexis guides Jason to a more private area of the shelter. She leads him into the kitchen and offers him a seat. “So what is it you wanna talk about?”
“I wasn’t lying when I said you were one of the best talents I’ve seen in a while,” he began, taking a seat on a stool. “I’m still very interested in working with you if that’s still possible.”
Alexis bursts into laughter. “Something must really be wrong with you,” she said. “Look, you seem like a decent guy, but ain’t no way in hell I would ever work for an asshole like Washington. And to be honest, I don’t think he’d allow you to work with me, either.”
“You’re probably right, but that won’t be an issue for either one of us. I quit today.”
Alexis’ humored expression fades. “What?”
“Yeah, I quit about an hour ago.”
