| Chapter 35: The Big Break Lauralee invited the girls over the house. She was pacing the floor, flicking the card between her fingers. “Lau?” “Come in.” The girls walked inside the house all at once. “What’s this all about?” Veronica and the others took a seat. Lauralee held up the business card. “You didn’t rip it up,” Laura smirked. “Nope, I’ve been looking at it for the past 2 days. I think…” “Are you saying what I think you are?” “I… don’t know what I’m saying.” Elizabeth took the card from her hands. “The least we could do is meet with the guy. What else could happen?” “I guess. Should I call?” The others nodded. Lauralee picked up the phone and dialed the number on the card. “Riley Thomas’s office.” “Yes is Mr. Thomas in?” “One moment.” “Riley Thomas here.” “Riley? It’s Lauralee Deverson calling…” “Well, it’s about time. I’ve been waiting for your call.” “You have?” “Yup. Are you girls busy about 2 today?” “Uh, no.” “Good, why don’t you all come down. I would like to meet with you.” “OK. See you at 2.” “Look forward to it. It’s at the address on the card, well, the New York one anyway. Bye.” “Bye.” Lauralee hung up the phone. “2 o’clock.” “He wants to meet with us?” Bianca looked at Lauralee as she nodded. “Is this a dream?” Elizabeth pinched her arm. “No I’m awake.” ~*~ They walked up to the office where they went to the receptionist. “Excuse me?” Lauralee stood at the desk. The receptionist folded her hands. “Yes?” “We have a meeting at 2 with Mr. Thomas.” “Yes Miss Deverson. Why don’t you all have a seat and I’ll tell him you’re here.” They didn’t even have to sit as Riley came out of the office. “Right on time.” He shook their hands and led them into the office where they all took a seat. Riley leaned on the desk facing them. “So… you’re wondering why I called you in here.” “A little,” Veronica nodded. “Look, it’s my job to look at people all the time. I’ve got tapes stacked as high as warehouses for me to listen and tell if there’s something there. But you guys got something, something I haven’t heard in a while. I usually never do something like this, but I knew I had to check you out.” He went to the stereo, put in a tape, and gave them a microphone. “You think you could do what you did in the studio?” “I guess so,” Lauralee grabbed the microphone. “OK, what’ll it be?” “The chorus of ‘Weak’?” Riley leaned back as the girls gathered around the microphone. I get so weak in the knees I can hardly speak I lose all control then something takes over me In a daze You look so amazing It’s not a phase, I need you to stay with me by my side I swallow my pride Your love is so sweet, it knocks me right off of my feet Can’t explain why your loving makes me weak Riley rubbed his chin and smiled. “I’m glad you didn’t lose it.” “Lose what? What’s this all about Mr. Thomas?” Laura looked at him. “Ladies, I’m offering you my services as a consultant. I think with talent like yours, you could get a deal in no time. Not as a pop group, but as an R & B group.” “Oh yeah, 5 white girls singing R & B. I’m not a racist or anything, but they’ll chew us up and spit us out! No one will go for it.” “Would you sing anything else?” “Straight pop? Nah, not my thing. I think they will agree.” The girls nodded. “I have never liked anything but R & B, well, except Backstreet,” Lauralee smiled. “Girls, I’m not guaranteeing anything, but I know talent when I hear it. I want you to consider it.” The girls got up. “We will,” Lauralee shook his hand. “We’ll be in touch.” “Take your time. Really think about it.” “OK, goodbye,” The girls left the office. ~*~ They went to the coffee shop, and all sat down around a booth. “Talk about life altering,” Bianca grabbed the menu. “This is too weird. I never though I would be considering this,” Laura shook her head. “He didn’t promise a shot you know,” Veronica reasoned. “He would try to set us up with something.” “Yeah, but think about it,” Elizabeth eyes sparkled. “It is a possibility.” Lauralee remained quiet the entire time. She took her menu and pretended to look at it intently. “Lau?” Veronica looked over Lauralee’s menu. “Yeah?” “You OK?” Lauralee put down the menu. “I don’t know about this.” “Are you kidding? This is the brass ring!” Laura looked at her. “This isn’t the brass ring. This is a shot at it. We haven’t even touched it!” “But he’s offering us the chance, Lau.” “Laura, this guy hears us singing for 3 minutes and he wants to offer us his services? I don’t know if it’s all that it’s cracked up to be. What if we never get anything, not even a nibble? We would be just wasting our time. Think of what we would set ourselves up for.” “So you’re afraid of rejection?” Lauralee nodded. “I don’t think we should get our hopes up too soon.” “Lau,” Veronica took her hand. “We’re not making plans for a deal right now. But it is a chance. You have never backed down from an opportunity like this… well, it’s not something you get everyday. We can’t do this without you; we wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for you. So what do you say?” Lauralee looked over the 4 eager faces before her. “OK.” The girls all toppled her in the middle of the coffee shop. “Shall we head back and tell him the good news?” Bianca smiled. ~*~ “Great! I thought you would turn me down,” Riley was sitting in his chair. “So, what do we do now?” Bianca asked. “First, we get a contract. Not a management contract, but a consultant/group kind of thing.” “What does that mean?” Lauralee eyed him suspiciously. After seeing what Alex and the boys went through, she wasn’t gonna take any chances. “It means that I will try to get record executives to hear your music, and you’ll sing whenever you can. If something does happen, you’re free to choose whatever management you want. Now, which one of you is under 18?” Bianca raised her hand. “Only for 2 more weeks.” “Great, then no parental stuff to deal with. The contract will be ready by then. But you do have to finish school right?” Bianca nodded. “This shouldn’t interfere, unless something happens by June. OK ladies, looks like you’re on your way.” He shook each of their hands. “Oh God I can’t believe this is happening,” Laura smiled. “It is,” Lauralee said. “Here we go!” Chapter 36 Contents Chapter 34 |