Chapter 84: Baker Studios
Tuesday, January 3rd, Afternoon
Being shown into the office she smiled as she saw the two men she was here to meet. The older one sat behind the desk, the years had been good to him, Julian Baker, even having run this local studio for eleven years. They have maintained a close friendship since he had moved here, partially for the sake of the other man in the room.
Brooke looked over to see the second man. The younger Mister Baker is named Tucker. He was her and Julian's son. Tucker was Julian's only child, and Brooke's fourth child and only son.
"Afternoon, Brooke," Julian said.
"Afternoon, Mom," Tucker said.
"Julian, Tucker," Brooke said and took her seat, "So, what do I owe the pleasure of this invite?"
"It was Tucker that wanted this meeting," Julian said.
Brooke nodded and turned to look at their son, "Why are we being so formal, Tucker?" she asked.
"It's about the video I'm shooting here tomorrow night," Tucker said.
Brooke nodded, "The one that you promised by the end of the week so you could get RBR to pay for you to fly out and spend a week with Alix?" she asked.
Tucker nodded, "The same," he said.
"So, I assume you got the contract, so why do you need to have this meeting with me?" Brooke asked.
"The current status of this project is on hold," Julian said.
Brooke turned to look at Julian, "Why is it on hold?" she asked.
"The money wasn't released from RBR," Julian said.
"Why wasn't it?" Brooke asked.
"Well, it seems there needs to be a second sign off on it," Tucker said, "Keith is out of the country, and Fallon is in New York, that leaves you or Lucas."
Brooke nodded, "Why didn't you ask me over the phone?" she asked.
"We figured we would have to do a presentation," Julian said.
Brooke nodded, "Well, I could miss Keni's basketball games," she said.
Julian shook his head, "We don't want that," he said.
Brooke nodded, and turned to Tucker, "Is it really that important that you get out there to see Alix?" she asked.
Tucker nodded, "Yes Mom, we both want to spend time with each other," he said.
Brooke nodded, and turned to Julian and gave him a small smile, "Oh, young love," she said.
"Does it remind you of anybody?" Julian asked.
"Several people, actually," Brooke said.
"So, will you do it, Mom?" Tucker asked.
Julian smiled and nodded, "Yeah, Brooke, will you do it for young love?" he asked.
"It's not fair, you two double-teaming me," Brooke said, nodded her head, and sighed, "Well maybe, what's in it for me?"
"Mom really?" Tucker asked.
"Tucker, it's a quid pro quo," Brooke said, "These are also called negotiations."
Tucker nodded, "I know what these are called, Mom. I just didn't expect it from you," he said.
"I do it all the time," Brooke said, "Don't believe me call your sisters."
Tucker nodded, "I might just do that," he said, "So, what are your demands?"
Brooke smiled, "Simple, I want you to put Keni and Sassy in the video," she said.
"Is that all?" Tucker asked, "Why don't I just put LK in as well, go for the trifecta?"
"No, I want the usual, my name in the credits, you can thank me, which is fine, but the big thing is I want Keni and Sassy in the video," Brooke said.
"No LK?" Tucker asked.
"I forgot about her," Brooke said, "If you want, I figure LK wouldn't be up for it, and Haley wouldn't approve," Brooke paused, "You could ask Haley."
"But why do you want them in the video?" Tucker asked.
"Well Keni is your sister," Brooke said.
"Yes, yes she is," Tucker said, "What about Sassy?"
"I believe she has a crush on you," Brooke said.
"What? She's what twelve?" Julian asked.
"Fifteen," Brooke said.
"Still, Tucker is too old for her, Brooke you better not be matchmaking," Julian said.
"I'm not," Brooke said.
"Are you sure?" Tucker asked, "I'm also with Alix."
"She always volunteers to get you and spend time with you," Brooke said.
"Then are you sure it's a good idea?" Tucker asked.
"She's harmless," Brooke said.
"Okay, I can cast them as extras," Tucker said.
Brooke smiled a dimpled smile, "Good, I have enough time to go over to the Scott Building and approve this," she said.
"Thank you, Brooke," Julian said.
"Mom," Tucker said.
"Yes?" Brooke asked.
"Make sure Keni and Sassy are dressed for church when they come tomorrow," Tucker said.
"For church?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah, Southern Baptist," Tucker said.
Brooke made a questioning face at Tucker.
"Just go with it, Brooke," Julian said.
"Okay," Brooke said and checked her watch, "I have to get going in order to get this done and make the games tonight."
"Thank you, Brooke," Julian said.
"Thanks, Mom," Tucker said.
"You're welcome, gentlemen," Brooke said.
"Do you need to be shown out?" Julian asked.
"No, I know the way," Brooke said and left the office.
Tucker sighed, "A quid pro quo?" he asked.
"She was always tough when it came to business," Julian said, "And let's face it what we asked her was business."
"But what she asked," Tucker said, "I'd half expect her to buy spots in college for those girls."
Julian shook his head, "Your Mother is a lot of things, and getting advantages for her children is one of her more," Julian said and bobbed his head to think of the word, "she-wolfish tendencies. But of all things I could say about her, a criminal is not one of them. She'll skirt the line, and flirt with crossing it, but she won't buy her kids a college spot."
"Then how did Chase get into William and Mary?" Tucker asked.
"You know your sister, she's smart as hell, and she earned it," Julian said.
"So, she's not Aunt Becky," Tucker said.
"Oh no, not at all," Julian said.
"That's good," Tucker said.
Julian turned to look at Tucker, "Sassy?" he asked.
"Sawyer Scott," Tucker said.
"I know that," Julian said, "I thought we don't call her that anymore."
"Yeah," Tucker said, "She doesn't like it, but I guess old habits die hard."
"Are you sure about this, knowing that she's fifteen and might have a crush on you?" Julian asked.
"I'm not like Chris Keller, Dad," Tucker said, "I'm not going to screw up what I have with Alix."
"I hope so," Julian said.
"Anyways, if it was serious, wouldn't you think, knowing Sawyer, she would have already acted on it," Tucker said.
Julian nodded, "I see your point," he said and smiled.