Chapter 121: Scott Building
Friday, January 6th, Morning
By the standards that people would consider limos by, this one wasn't much of one. It was fancy enough but was mostly used by the Beaulieu Manor business side to bring people to Beaulieu, either for weddings or the B&B that was in the North Range. The two people that rode in the back, mom and son, rarely rode in the limos, as both preferred to drive themselves.
"Tucker, you look like you've not slept a wink," Brooke Davis said to her only son.
"There's a good reason for that," Tucker Baker said.
"And that would be?" Brooke asked.
"I didn't sleep much, Mom," Tucker said.
"Why?" Brooke asked.
"' Cause I'll sleep on the plane," Tucker said.
"You're that confident you've got this done?" Brooke asked.
"Either way I'm trying out to see Alix today," Tucker said.
"Are you and Alix getting that serious?" Brooke asked.
"What is that serious, Mom?" Tucker asked.
"Where I start getting Beaulieu geared up for another wedding," Brooke said.
"Mom, I don't know," Tucker said, "And I'm not sure if Alix would want to be a Beaulieu Bride."
"Beaulieu Bride? I like that term, maybe I should talk to the wedding people about branding that," Brooke said.
Tucker chuckled, "Really Mom?" he asked.
"It pays for where you live," Brooke said.
"Just because Chase got married there, and Izzy renewed her vows there, doesn't mean we all have to get married there," Tucker said.
"I want to make sure y'all get the same treatment," Brooke said, "It's too early to know about Keni, and well Trin I don't think will get married."
"Mom, I'm not sure, myself," Tucker said.
"Tucker, you're my baby boy, my only son, I've never done a son's wedding, but it's your birthright," Brooke said.
"Mom, I'm just not sure," Tucker said.
"Okay, but just remember your sisters got a wedding there, and I don't want to short change you," Brooke said.
"Mom, let's cross that bridge if and when we get to it," Tucker said.
Brooke huffed, "Fine, you're no fun, Tucker Baker," she said.
Tucker smiled, "Good, I've been practicing that," he said.
"Wiseass," Brooke said.
"Ms. Davis, Mister Baker, we're arriving at the Scott Building," The Driver said.
"Thank you," Brooke said.
"You're welcome, Ma'am," The Driver said, and pulled up to the curb.
Brooke leaned forward and straightened Tucker's tie. "You'll do well, and your video will knock them over," Brooke said.
"Why are you so confident, Mom?" Tucker asked.
"Well, one, because I'm your mom. Two, you're motivated to get this done and done right, and three, and most importantly you're a talented filmmaker," Brooke said.
"Thanks, Mom," Tucker said, as the car door opened.
"You're welcome, now go crush it," Brooke said.
Tucker climbed out of the limo, retrieved his briefcase, and slipped on his building pass. He walked towards the building, through the front doors, and into the security checkpoint. His pass got him through and access to the elevator which he rode up to the third floor. He walked into the Red Bedroom Records office and looked at the receptionist.
"Hey Tucker," Siobhan the receptionist said, "You're here for your big meeting?"
"Yes," Tucker said, "How do you know?" Tucker studied the regular receptionist for RBR. She was tan-skinned, making her a woman of color, and dressed fashionably for the place. She wasn't a small woman, nor was she large. Her dark hair was curly and big, and she had a nice smile.
"Mrs. James-Scott left a note saying as such," Siobhan the receptionist said.
"Well, then let them know I'm here," Tucker said.
"I already have, the guard called up and someone is coming to get you," Siobhan the receptionist said.
"Thanks, so how have you been," Tucker said.
"Good, I hear you want to head out to hang with Alix," Siobhan the receptionist said.
"By hook or by crook," Tucker said, "What are you planning to do this weekend?"
"Relaxing and well, relax," Siobhan the receptionist said.
"Hanging with bud?" Tucker asked.
Siobhan the receptionist laughed, "Hopefully," she said.
The door opened and Kayla Drake was standing there. "Ready Tucker?" Kayla asked.
"You're efficient," Tucker said.
"That's my job," Siobhan the receptionist said.
Tucker nodded and turned to Kayla. "Ready," he said.
"Follow me," Kayla said.
Tucker nodded and followed Kayla into Red Bedroom. The place as always is a hive of activity. There always seemed to be some task going on, here or there. Tucker never quite got it but it all seemed to be a well-oiled machine.
"Are we in Conference One?" Tucker asked.
"No, Conference Three," Kayla said.
Tucker nodded and followed. When they entered conference room three, Tucker could see the usual suspects were there. Kayla Drake, who is the head of business operations, who took her seat next to Haley James-Scott. Haley James-Scott is the de facto head of the label and a member of the Scott Family which owned most of RBR. The third one on the other side of Haley was Jen Parker, the head of marketing, also one of the earliest employees of RBR, Tucker reflected. It was Haley, Fallon, Kayla, then Jen in seniority. Tucker looked over to one of the short ends of the table was the artist, Chris Keller. Tucker noted, the only mission person at the table was Keith Scott, the son of the founder, and the head of artist relations, and that was only because he was overseas.
"Welcome Tucker," Haley said, "I believe you know everyone."
Tucker nodded, "Yes, I do," he said.
"So, we know why we're here," Haley said, "I'd like to see this video, as I was in it."
Tucker smiled, and put his briefcase on the table and took a seat, directly across from Haley. He opened his briefcase and took a flash drive out and plugged it into a USB port. Haley nodded, and when it opened up in the computer started to autoplay the video on the screen on the wall opposite of Chris. All five people turned to look at the screen. After some boilerplate, the video properly started.
The dark skin was starting to lighten and there were the sounds of church music and people testifying and clapping. The first words to appear in white were the words, Chris Keller. The next thing was the words In a Tucker Baker film. The third thing followed was the words of the name of the song, Gods gonna Cut You Down. The dark screen started to fade to light and the church set they filmed on. The sounds of the congregation clapping in rhythm and praising got louder. This ended and the actor who was dressed as the minister came forward and started to address the assembled people. When the actor was done, Chris Keller came on screen and addressed the congregation, and the music for the song proper began.
Tucker looked over the three women across from him, and finally to the end of the table and Chris Keller. Chris seemed to be head bobbing to the music, and every so often he would have a smirk cross his face. Tucker looked back to the three ladies and noticed that Jen seemed to not be into it, where Kayla just seemed to look at it as she didn't know what to think. Haley, well she sat there, stone-faced. The song was only two minutes and thirty-eight seconds, and the video with the acting bits probably only stretched it to maybe three minutes fifteen seconds, at the most. When it was over, Tucker looked them all over once more, making eye contact with each.
"Well, what do y'all think?" Tucker asked.
"Chris, it's your music and this single is leading off your album," Haley said, "What do you think?"
"Hales, well it's not what I expected, but it exceeds what I could hope for," Chris said, "I approve of it."
"Jenny?" Haley asked.
"I got weird vides from it, and I'm not sure how we could use it to market the album," Jen said.
"People said the same things about Jesus Walks," Haley said.
"Are we really going to compare Chris Keller to Kanye West?" Jen asked.
"Why not? They are both controversial and deceive figures," Haley said, "Anyways we can hope for the success of Jesus Walks, it was Billboard top twenty track."
"It still seems like a stretch to me," Jen said.
"So, Jenny, what do you think of it?" Haley asked.
"No," Jen said shaking her head, "I'd not release it if I was the final say at the label."
Haley nodded and turned to Kayla, "Kayla?" she asked.
"I'm neither an artist, nor in marketing, what I do know is Mister Baker produced an amazing video, I believe under budget, and under extremely tight time constraints. Just on those factors, I'd approval it. Could something better have been done, probably, but not on the conditions that Mister Baker and Mister Keller had to work under," Kayla said.
Haley nodded, "Than you, all," she said, "It's ultimately my decision if we do or don't release this video. I appreciate the feedback, but well, I think this video is better then what one could expect, considering the conditions we put the talent under," Haley paused and took a sip of her water, once she swallowed she resumed, "We're going to accept and release the video. The usual push."
Tucker nodded, "Thank you," he said.
"No, thank you, Tucker," Haley said, "We asked a lot of you, and as always you delivered, and we'll deliver on our end."
Tucker nodded. After doing what he needed to do to officially discharge his end of the contract, he prepared to leave. As he started to walk out of the Red Bedroom office space, Haley joined him.
"Yes, Haley?" Tucker asked.
"Thank you, again for moving heaven and earth for us, again," Haley said.
"You're welcome, just don't expect it every time, we got lucky this time," Tucker said.
"We can't afford to do this every time," Haley said, and handed him a folder, "By the time you get to the airport there'll be a ticket waiting for you, business class, your money will be in your account by the time you're in California, also Binks will pick you up at the airport."
Tucker took the folder, "Anything else?" he asked.
Haley nodded, "Yes, have fun and treat Alix well," she said.
"I will, and I always do," Tucker said and got into the elevator. He rode down to the lobby and scanned out. Leaving the building he headed towards the waiting limo.
The driver held the rear door open, which Tucker got in and waited for the door to close.
"How'd it go?" Brooke asked.
"They accepted the damn thing," Tucker said.
"Well, that's great, Tucker," Brooke said, "I knew you could do it. Where to next?"
"The airport," Tucker said.
Brooke smiled, "Good, I have to pick your sister up there as well," she said, and looked at the driver. "To the airport."
"Yes ma'am," The driver said, started the limo and drove off.