Different Circles

“What kind of things?” Jake asked.

“Items of mutual interest,” Flag said. “Items related to the project you are working on up in Oregon.”

“I’m working on two projects up in Oregon, Josh,” Jake said. “Which one are you referring to?”

“The project you are working on with Matt Tisdale is particularly interesting to us,” he replied. “We want to touch bases with you and get a heads up on the particulars.”

Jake rolled his eyes again. It was obvious that Flag and the other suits were buying into the rumors about an Intemperance reunion and they wanted to be in position to cash in on it. “The project I’m working on with Matt Tisdale is a solo album, Josh,” Jake told him. “We are not putting Intemperance back together, nor do we plan to do so in the future.”

“I understand that that is what you have to say at this point,” Flag said. “We have no problem with that, and we would not want to prematurely release any details either. We just want to discuss the particulars with you and start talking some numbers related to the CD release and the tour that will inevitably follow.”

“We are not just saying this, Josh,” Jake explained patiently. “We are not working on new Intemperance material. We are working on a Matt Tisdale solo album because the suits over at National just wanted him to pump out a new CD and hit the road again. He came to us so he could make a quality solo album and not just a token one with the only purpose being to justify that tour.”

“Is that so?” Flag asked slyly.

“That is so,” Jake confirmed.

“Then why are Charlie Meyer, John Cooper, and Nerdly Archer all up there in Oregon and working at that studio too? Are you seriously trying to tell me that you have all five members of Intemperance working out of the same studio and you’re not putting together new Intemperance material?”

“That is seriously what I’m telling you,” Jake said. “We’re recording Celia Valdez’s new album at the same time as Matt’s. Coop and Charlie, I’m sure you are aware, are Celia’s rhythm section. Nerdly is the sound engineer for both projects. I am the producer for both projects. We went to great lengths, as a matter of fact, to keep Matt and Charlie and Coop from even encountering each other in the studio. The one time we failed at this, Coop and Matt had to be physically separated to keep them from punching each other after Matt accused Coop of being the biggest sellout since ‘that Judas motherfucker sold out JC to the fuckin’ Romans’. There is no Intemperance reunion, Josh. I do not know how to make that any plainer.”

“Like I said, Jake,” Flag said, “I understand the need to keep this thing quiet. We’re on board with that and will keep it quiet until you authorize release of the information.”

“There is no information to release,” Jake said. “We’re working on a Matt Tisdale solo album and a Celia Valdez solo album. When we have masters in hand, we will then submit copies to you and enter into negotiations for MD&P at that time. You know? The usual way we do business?”

“Okay,” Flag said with a sigh. “I’m picking up what you’re laying down. No admission of new Intemperance material at this time. Just give us the courtesy of first refusal once you have the master in hand. We are fully prepared to pay National whatever they ask for performance rights.”

“I’m hanging up now, Josh,” Jake said, exasperated. “We’ll call you when we have the Tisdale and Valdez masters ready for your perusal.”

Flag started to say something else, but Jake stayed true to his word. He hung up the phone, cutting the connection mid-spiel.

“What was that all about?” asked Laura, who was flipping through channels on the television while Cadence suckled her breast.

“It was Flag from Aristocrat,” he said. “He wants in on the Intemperance reunion.”

“Does he now?” she said with a little shake of the head. “Even though there is no such reunion?”

“It was like I was talking to one of those religious nuts,” Jake said. “He would not be convinced that the reunion doesn’t exist.”

“Hopefully he won’t be too disappointed to negotiate with you when you present the masters for Matt and Celia,” she said.

“Hopefully,” Jake said sourly. “Thanks for giving me one more thing to worry about.”

“Any time,” she said lightly. “Now go take your nap. If I can get little Miss Caydee down after she eats, I might just join you.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked, interested.

“Yeah,” she said with a smile. “We know the equipment is functional again. We should probably put it to use.”

“I like the way you think,” he said. He turned toward the bedroom. He did not make it two steps before the phone began to ring again. “Fuck me,” he muttered, snatching it up. “Yes?” he said impatiently into the mouthpiece.

“Jake!” said another familiar, weasel-like voice. “Steve Crow over at National Records here. I heard you were back in town for a bit. How the hell you doing, brother?”