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God I hope I cleared the number Evie came up with. We can’t show division now.
“I did,” I say calmly.
“That’s why I had to get you down here and see if you’re as crazy as you sound,” she says with a short laugh. “Because I know you’re not serious about paying me ten million dollars to play a damn cruise ship.”
I don’t balk at the figure, though it’s at the high end of what we’d budgeted and doesn’t leave much room for negotiating.
“That’s right,” I say evenly.
Kara glances at the guy with dreads who’s sitting next to her. I can’t read either of their expressions but they seem to be having a silent debate. The man mouths something and Kara shakes her head.
Finally she turns back to us. “This is Dalton,” she says. “My business manager.”
Dalton stands and shakes my hand and Evie’s before sitting back down.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, relieved. Dalton’s introduction is a sign she’s at least considering my offer, though it’s surprising her manager is also her age.
Kara gets right to the meat of the matter: “I don’t play cruise ships,” she says.
“Maybe,” I repeat her earlier line. “I don’t think you’d be seeing me if you couldn’t.”
“It’s not that I couldn’t,” she says. “It’s that I shouldn’t. You’ve heard of me. You’ve probably even seen me on the news. I have a reputation to uphold. And, no offense, but cruise ships are boring and lame.”
“That’s precisely why we’re here, Ms. Reynolds,” Evie cuts in. “Because we’re looking for an artist like yourself who clearly telegraphs that this is not your grandparents’ cruise ship. This is a top of the line exclusive event. A chance to party nonstop for ten days on some of the most beautiful islands in the Bahamas with one of the hottest artists of the year.”
“The hottest artist of the year,” Kara corrects.
“Of course,” Evie replies smoothly.
“And who would you get if I say no?”
Evie hesitates.
“L’l Liz has shown an interest,” I say, hoping it sounds like I didn’t just hear that name for the first time today.
Kara scoffs and her scorn is immediately echoed around us by her friends. “L’l Liz?” she repeats. “That bitch can’t get people to show up to her birthday party. You’d be hosed if you counted on her turning people out for a booze cruise.”
“Our analytics suggest differently,” Evie says, lying her ass off. “This voyage is packaged entirely around the headliner and they will be getting the full push of our advertising budget, which is a significant amount. You’re our first choice, but we’re pretty positive that we can push a lesser known artist like L’l Liz to new heights.”
Tricky, tricky, Evie. Implying that the massive campaign we’d launch might create a worthy competitor is a real threat in a market where one-hit wonders frequently stay amber-trapped in their biggest single’s summer.
Dalton leans over and whispers something in Kara’s ear. Her face is flat and unyielding as she listens. Then she says, “I make good music. That’s all the advertising I need.”
“Of course,” I say. “Your numbers are self-evident. But everyone needs advertising, and you’d be getting the best in the business with my colleague here. Not to mention that all of it is completely free to you.”
Kara doesn’t jump to commit, but she also doesn’t ask us to leave. She continues to examine us, weighing the opposing angles in her head. Then she says, “Okay, say I’m interested. What are the details? What’s the commitment?”
I allow Evie to take point and she launches into the figures. “A two thousand square foot luxury suite for you and rooms for all of your staff and friends. You have first say in all the openers and day acts. Obviously all the food and alcohol will be covered. You’ll have the use of the upper deck pool for your own personal use. The cruise is ten days, and you’d be required to stay on board for the full length of the cruise. No helicoptering back to New York. You’ll play shows every night either on the ship or on a beach. If you enjoy the experience, we’ll be open to rebooking you, though after a renegotiation of salary. Additionally that ten million would obligate you to perform one night on the ship in July as it circles Manhattan to advertise the launch and sell tickets.”
Kara nods along as she talks. She doesn’t look thrilled when Evie mentions having to stay on the ship, but she doesn’t interrupt. When Evie finishes, Kara asks, “You have a recording studio on that ship? ‘Cause I’m not stopping my album for this.”
“We can put one in,” I say. Looks like we’ve found what’s going in the daycare center.
Kara chews on the inside of her cheek. I sense Evie is about to speak again but I lightly touch her arm to stop her. Kara has the facts. Now she needs to decide.
I’m certain she’s about to say yes, but then, suddenly, Kara shakes her head.
“I don’t know, man,” she says, leaning back again. “Don’t get me wrong. I like the song you’re singing. The money’s good, the perks are great.”
