Opportunity Knocks ( PM to join )

[DeliciousMaiden]

An offer ... should she refuse...? ( PM to join )

OOC:

Roxie - 21 - feisty "performer".
Wanna be singer, part time model..
This is wide open.
Could this be the opportunity she's been waiting for or is it the offer she really should refuse.
Make of it what you will... it's just an idea to play with.
But please... PM first before joining.

Thanks x

IC:

Roxie flopped down onto the lush sofa in the corner of the studio and groaned.
The shoot had been gruelling.
Over and over again she’d had to smile, move, pose.
Seductive? Provocative?
She could do them all, but …
How many times until they got the set up and the lighting just right!?

Modelling was supposed to be glamorous, but this morning had been tedious.
Around her other girls were getting into position for the next shoot.
She had been modelling leather and was now clad in a skintight black leather dress, which had narrow straps, but was otherwise most definitely “off the shoulder”.
She had been reluctant to do what had been termed a “fetish shoot” and only agreed after seeing the selection of outfits.

Contrary to her fellow models, what Roxie did not want was to turn into a “professional model!”
And she certainly didn’t want to embark on any “sleazy” career she thought as she watched the girls taking up the pose for the next cameo of shots.
Rubber? Euuughh!

Modelling was merely a means of financing her pursuit of fame via the clubs and pubs she frequented on the circuit she regularly toured.
Roxie’s real ambition was to sing… she had a voice for rock ballads, but wanted something more anarchic, more … “ballsy”.
Everything about Roxie told you that she was a feisty lady, a survivor.
Her image was tough, hard.
She had been chosen for the modelling job because of the way she dressed.
Leather was not an unknown component in her wardrobe!
If told she had potential to be soft, feminine, she would have laughed in your face.
Seeing her now or at one of her gigs, you could see why she had not been considered for the “lace” shoot!

Her voice was strong, melodious and had a husky sex appeal that could not be affected.
She needed “work”, had potential, but also a dire lack of opportunity!
Bad venues, bad pay, bad…everything… she was not exactly hitting fame here.

”Roxie! Someone to see you…”

Roxie looked in the direction of the voice.

”Ok.. be right there!”

She called and hauled herself up out of the comfort of the upholstery and made her way towards the man stood in the far corner and watching her approach.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

No offers?

*bumpin'*

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

I'd first spotted Roxie at an out of the way club where she was singing one night.

I'd followed her from club to club guaging, assessing and felt she has the potential to hit it big with the right coaching, buildup and managing. I planned on being there to fill all of those bills for her and make us both a lot of money.

I own a reasonably successful small recording company that offers a variety of music. Everything from ragge to modern renditiions of classics done in everything from a jazz format to heavy metal. We don't threaten the 'big boys' of the industry but we do just fine and I live accordingly.

I'd watched her again last night and overheard her talking about this modeling shoot and decided it was a perfect opportunity to 'make my move'. She'd be more open after a few hours under the lights and in front of her modeling peers and those on the shoot crew.

I grabbed a go-fer and gave him my card, Damien Wollf, President/CEO Apex Records, to give to Roxie when she was on a break.

I watched as he approached her as she blotted persperation from her face and nicely ample chest.

Description as Roxie would see him: 5'11, slender build. Open shirt, no jacket, loose fitting trousers and gleaming Italian leather shoes. Well tanned, shoulder length salt and pepper reddish blonde hair and clean shaven.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

Roxie took the card and looked at the heavily printed lettering.

Damien Wollf, President/CEO Apex Records

Everything about it screamed quality.

"Where is he?"

She whispered then looked across to a figure stood well back from the cameras.

"Ok.. thanks.."

She pulled the towel from the couch and drew it across her skin as she dodged past the cameras and looked for the man who had come to seek her out.
As she emerged from the assembled equipment, he turned.

Roxie almost halted, but forced herself to continue to move slowly until she was stood before him.

He was not tall, but head and shoulders above her.
His build was slender, but he had a rich, powerful air about him. He exuded confidence.

Roxie looked at the card again, half holding it out, as if there may have been a mistake.

"Mr Wollf? ... You wanted to see me...?"

She enquired hesitantly.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Actually Roxie, I think you want to see me," I reply with a smile and a deep chuckle as I extend my hand. "A pleasure to meet you by the way."

A pause as I very ovbiously take in your revealed charms, but not in a vulgar fashion, more as if assessing the lusting after. Something your modeling has accustomed you to.

"Are you about finished here for the day Roxie? If so I think we should talk."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Actually Roxie, I think you want to see me,"

I looked up at him in surprise and heard his chuckle as it seemed to rumble from deep inside him.
Instinctively I put my hand in his as he extended it in greeting.

"A pleasure to meet you by the way."

I looked at him puzzled.

"Likewise,"

I echoed, though I still wasn't sure what it was he wanted or was offering.

As he slowly drew his hand away, I saw his eyes move assessingly over my body. If he was looking for a model I wasn't interested. No matter what business he was in, I wasn't looking to get into that... but... I glanced down again, checking out his card... "Apex Records" Maybe ... ?

"Are you about finished here for the day Roxie?
If so I think we should talk."

Still I wanted to know what all this was about, but the last thing I wanted to do was antagonise him. Who knows...this could prove ... interesting?

"I just need to check I'm not needed for a recall... and then of course I have to change... I'll need about 15 minutes...?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"That's just fine. I'll wait here and watch until you return.
"By the way, are you free for dinner tonight? Nothing to fancy, but excellent cuisine. I think our talk will take more than a few minutes."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"That's just fine. I'll wait here and watch until you return."

I looked back over my shoulder.
The rubber shoot had given way to the Lace group.
I smiled and nodded, thinking that he wouldn't mind watching for a while...

"By the way, are you free for dinner tonight?
Nothing to fancy, but excellent cuisine.
I think our talk will take more than a few minutes."

I eyed him suspiciously.

"Dinner... I...err.. I'm not sure... I'll have to check my schedule ... maybe we should just talk a bit first... I'll be right back..."

I fled then.
Moving to check that all the shots were fine and then to the dressing room to change into my day clothes. I looked down at my outfit. Black jeans and a white blouse knotted at the waist.
Oh well... I wasn't going to win any contests for looks that day!
I scrubbed off the dark dramatic make up and hastily reapplied some of my own.
I looked at my watch and decided that minimal would have to do.
I was sure that Mr Wollf was not a man who liked to be kept waiting. Grabbing my shoulder bag, I left the dressing room and began to pick my way round the equipment and back to where I had left him.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Hello again. I've been watching. Mind if I ask why you aren't in that shoot? Too revealing for you?" I ask as I extend my arm for you to take and start for the door.

"Shall we go? I hope you have time for a business dinner as I'm booked otherwise until later in the week Roxie."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Hello again."

I smiled as he approached me.

"I've been watching. Mind if I ask why you aren't in that shoot? Too revealing for you?"

I turned and looked at the girls clad in the skimpy lace as they set themselves up in sexy poses.

"Me? In lace? No... it's not that ... it's just not my style.
Modelling isn't really my thing anyway.
It's just a quick way of earning some cash."

I smile, dismissing the idea.
I watch you hold out your arm in a strangely oldfashioned gesture and hesitate, not because I'm wary of making contact, but because the action is so out of character for me.

"Shall we go? "

Despite myself I lay my hand on your arm and walk with you to the door.

"I hope you have time for a business dinner as I'm booked otherwise until later in the week Roxie."

I smile non-commitally as we move out of the studio.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

Outside you're escorted to a modest Lincoln limo. Not a huge stretched one but longer than the normal Lincoln, as I say," I want to talk with you about a possible record deal Roxie and in there or on the sidewalk isn't the place of that.
"I hope you have time for that business dinner I asked about."

Presuming/After you get in and settled, "Well Roxie, and by the way it's Damien," I say smiling, "choose please. Chinese, Italian, Seafood or a steak dinner." (Will edit if it's need DM)

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

Ever gallant, I found the door opened for me and allowed myself to be led outside and across to a waiting limo. I tried not to look too impressed as I stood and took it all in.

"I want to talk with you about a possible record deal Roxie and in there or on the sidewalk isn't the place of that.
I hope you have time for that business dinner I asked about."

A record deal? I limo?
I hadn't heard of his company and I had no idea where he could possibly have heard me sing.
Numbly I moved to the door as he held it open for me and slid into the spacious seat.
Leaning back I tried to regain my dazed senses, tried to think.

"Well Roxie, and by the way it's Damien, choose please. Chinese, Italian, Seafood or a steak dinner."

I returned his smile hesitantly.

"Italian please ... Damien ... but ... "

There were so many questions flying round in my head, but I figured I should just hear him out first and then ask if I needed to know anything further.

I sank back in the seat as the engine started and we began to move swiftly away from the studio. I looked over at the man beside me and wondered just what kind of offer he was going to make me ... "

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Donatello's please Jack and when you've parked the car do come in for supper.
"I'll be talking business so take a table of your own and tell them to put your meal on my bill."

"Yes sir, Damien. Thank you. My mouth's already watering. I can taste the lasagnia and garlic bread already," Jack replies as he pulls out into traffic.

Turning to you, "Roxie, I first heard you sing at the Dirty Elbow and then again at the Cock Pit and I think, with a lot of work to develop the talent I heard you can make it and sell records.
"Is that what you wish a singing career?
"If it is, then, if we can come to terms, I'll foot the bills for all of your training, I'll manage your career for you and I'll make, promote and sell your records."

I sit back and wait for your response, watching you and gauging you as I have been while I've explained the bare bones of my proposal, and like what I'm looking at and see in your eyes.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

Roxie watched silently as Damien gave the orders to his chauffeur and chose which restaurant they were to go to.
She glanced round the luxurious interior and then called her attention back as she found he was speaking to her once more.

"Roxie, I first heard you sing at the Dirty Elbow and then again at the Cock Pit and I think, with a lot of work to develop the talent I heard you can make it and sell records.
Is that what you wish a singing career?
If it is, then, if we can come to terms, I'll foot the bills for all of your training, I'll manage your career for you and I'll make, promote and sell your records."

Roxie eyes Damien her excitement kept in check for once.
She pondered his words.

"... what kind of work ...? "

A contract seemed like a dream come true, but what exactly would he want to change?

"... Yes... I'd like a singing career, but ... I'm sure it's a geneorus offer, but I need to know what training you had in mind and what are the changes you'd want to make. "

I eye him, half warily and half in excitement.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Your voice is good and there's talent there. It needs to be trained to sound more professional and pull out those deep tones you work hard for but sound so good when you find them.
"You need training in how you move on stage. It's smooth enough now, but it could be a hell'uva lot better and even sexier at times. Always remember that sex or hinting at it sells big time.
"Look at that ditz Britanny Spears. Nice voice, good backup, good marketing, but it's her body and moves that bring 'em in.
"There are other things but those are the primary ones for now that you'd be working your ass off on and I mean that literally not figuratively.
"If we agree and you sign with me I'll pay your bills as part of an advance on future earnings, my investment and gamble that I'm right.
"You, on the other hand, will work like a slave to develop that voice and your moves. As time passes we'll work on other things, like song writing for instance, so we own all of the rights to anything you do .
"Still interersted?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Your voice is good and there's talent there.
It needs to be trained to sound more professional and pull out those deep tones you work hard for but sound so good when you find them. "

Roxie nodded. It seemed he did know her style and was able to commit critically, but constructively about her voice.
She eyed him with renewed attention.

"You need training in how you move on stage.
It's smooth enough now, but it could be a hell'uva lot better and even sexier at times.
Always remember that sex or hinting at it sells big time.
Look at that ditz Britanny Spears. Nice voice, good backup, good marketing, but it's her body and moves that bring 'em in. "

She grimaced. Britney was a .... but she had to admit the girl had success... she hadn't really thought of her "moves" she just stood and delivered the song, maybe they would have a more detailed discussion about the type of image she was expected to adopt.

"There are other things but those are the primary ones for now that you'd be working your ass off on and I mean that literally not figuratively..."

Literally? Well.. she wasn't afraid of hard work, with the right motivation of course!

"If we agree and you sign with me I'll pay your bills as part of an advance on future earnings, my investment and gamble that I'm right.
You, on the other hand, will work like a slave to develop that voice and your moves.
As time passes we'll work on other things, like song writing for instance, so we own all of the rights to anything you do ..."

He paused as if to let it all sink in.

"Still interersted?"

She nodded eagerly, filled with a new respect for this man.

"Mr Wollfe... Damien ... I can work real hard if I have to.
I'd welcome your input on image and style and song choice ... I've just fronted various bands so far, but I'd be keen to work with you so I could go it alone ... I always wanted to be a solo singer rather than a face in a band... "

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

Photo from fashion shoot : -

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Roxie, it's not you 'can' work hard. If we agree to terms and you sign the contract I'll be gambling a lot of money on you and believe me I don't do that without getting a return on my investments.
"Now tell me about you. Tell me about Roxie so I can understand you and your motivations and dreams and perhaps, together, we can make them come true."

A glance out the window at the traffice and where we are lets me know we have about twenty or thirty minutes more before we'll reach the restaurant. Rush hour traffice truly sucks, and not in the fun way either.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Roxie, it's not you 'can' work hard. If we agree to terms and you sign the contract I'll be gambling a lot of money on you and believe me I don't do that without getting a return on my investments."

I frown, but don't comment.
I always intended to work hard to get where I wanted, I didn't need this guy insisting on it, as if it were a new idea!

"Now tell me about you. Tell me about Roxie so I can understand you and your motivations and dreams and perhaps, together, we can make them come true."

Again I look at him warily, but begin.

"Well.. I've never had my voice trained professioinally, just always kinda sung... since i was small... I can't remember never singing... I did the usual kid thing, was in a rock group at school and did a few shows.. but all they were was spots in the school open evenings and end of term shows... "

I look up at him and see he's watching and listening.

"As you know I'm not in a group... I front several bands, when they ask... not really had the time to develop much solo ... ohhh and I'm 21 ... been earning money modelling and doing... odd jobs.. to fund going to clubs and playing badly paid gigs in the evening... it's all I know and all I want to do..."

I turn and smile at you having given you a clear and "Professional" outline..

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Fine and it'll continue in some ways if you sign with me, but I'll, as your manager, choose the shoots and arrange the gigs for you at gradually more upscale clubs and I'll supply the backup bands you sing with as a double exposure for those I manage. It'll help and the band get name recognition and your modelling will help to promote the 'bad girl' image I think will fit your voice so well.
"Other than the things I set up you'll be to busy working to have time for much else and I'll bet be very tired at the end of each day for quite awhile, until you've grown used to the 'grind'.
"How does that sound? Still interested Roxie?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

I listened to his description of how he saw my career developing.

"How does that sound? Still interested Roxie?"

I hesitate.

"Maybe... I'm not sure..."

I frown.

" I don't want to carry on modelling... certainly nothing with a "bad girl image!" ... and... I've always chosen the bands I front myself... I enjoy making my own choices... perhaps I should continue doing my own stuff.. and if you're still interested later on.... ?"

I spoke in a rush.
I was "free-spirit" and prided myself on it.
I didn't like the idea of being taken control of.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Fine Roxie.
"We'll have a good meal. I'll drop you where you wish afterwards and I do wish you luck.
"As the old song goes, "I'll play this here guitar until I'm a star on Broadway...", I hope you make it on your own.
"I'll look for someone else starting tomorrow. My time's to valuable to waste waiting for a "...later on" maybe."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Fine Roxie.
We'll have a good meal. I'll drop you where you wish afterwards and I do wish you luck.
As the old song goes, "I'll play this here guitar until I'm a star on Broadway...", I hope you make it on your own.
I'll look for someone else starting tomorrow.
My time's to valuable to waste waiting for a "...later on" maybe."

I listened to his dismissive tone.

"Noo. I... I thought you wanted to talk.. discuss things... surely you want to know what I really think? I've always "gone it alone" .. this has happened so quickly ... "

I stammered and then sighed, not knowing what to say or do.
It seemed like a great offer, but still ...
He was still a stranger after all... how did I know he had my best interests at heart?

" ... after all... I'm not totally naive... why would anyone approach me with that kind of offer... you could be .. anybody..."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Damien Wolff:

"Very true.
"Well here Roxie, read these," and opening an attache case two things are taken out. One is a perspectus on Apex Records, Inc. that's sent to perspective investors and the second is a two week old copy of Billboard with an article about Apex and a small bit about Damien.

The bottom line to the perspectus is the company has been growing for the last five years in a row with gross annual sales now in the twenty million dollar a year range according to the graph.

The Billboard article focuses primarily on Apex and its niche in the music industry, how it caters to a variety of musical tastes and seems to find and introduce new talent reguarly who soon develope a following do to the skillful handling and exposure that they're given.

The brief bio just says that I'm a self made millionaire now and that I'm the 'driving force behind Apex's continuing success'.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Roxie

"Very true. Well here Roxie, read these,"

I tried not to look to relieved that he'd agreed to continue .. talking... I looked at the paperwork and examined the perspectus and and billboard. I didn't know much about figures, but the company Damien fronted was certainly a money spinner.

I read the article and saw him described as the 'driving force behind Apex's continuing success'.

I turn back to Damien.

"Very impressive... and finding new talent is your speciality ...? Obviously I'd be ... foolish ... not to follow your advice."

I supposed that if I was going to take direction from anyone it might as well be the best... and after all.. a few publicity shots were inevitable I supposed..

"Ok... so far, I'm interested... "

I stated simply, not wanting to appear over eager, but acknowledging that his offer was one that was worth very serious consideration!