Chapter 3
Jon pulled his baseball cap down lower as he walked into the door of Polygram knowing this wasn’t going to be as easy as Kylee had made it sound. He looked at the receptionist, “Hi Becky, I’d like to speak with Chad Williams please.”
“Do you have an appointment?” She asked not recognizing the man under the hat.
“No but I need to see him, I’m Jon Bon Jovi.” He said softly.
“And I’m Cinderella.” The receptionist commented, Jon Bon Jovi is the biggest rock star in the world right now, he wouldn’t come in here.
Damn he hated having to do this but he was on a time table. “If you won’t call him Becky I will.” Jon took his hat off, shaking his hair out and took off his shades. “Do I need to make a call or will you?”
“I’m sorry Mr. Bon Jovi I didn’t recognize you.” Becky stumbled trying to get back on his good side.
“Just get him down here.” Ok this plan Kylee had might work after all because now he’s in a pissy mood.
Becky quickly called up to Chad’s office and explained in no uncertain terms that Chad needed to get down to the lobby now to meet with Jon. When his name was given Kristen on the other side of the phone assured her that Chad would be down in just a moment.
“Mr. Williams will be right down Mr. Bon Jovi.” Becky told him nervously.
“Thank you.” He walked over to the wall looking at the platinum records hanging there from many of the people that Jon’s met in his last few years.
The elevator chimed but Jon didn’t even notice he looked at the plaque for Slippery When Wet; it was the biggest plaque on the wall this man had better want to help him if he wanted to keep him. “Jon, hey how are you doing?” Chad said walking up to him. Jon turned around extending his hand to Chad in a greeting.
“What can I do for you Jon?” He asked.
“I’d like to take this conversation to someplace private.” He tried to sound so businesslike but it was hard, he liked Chad, he took over right before 7800* but gave them the rest of their contract to make some of themselves, of course he did that, and they were the biggest selling act of the last 5 years, Jon didn’t want to play hardball but according to his lawyer he needed to in order to make sure Doc was removed legally.
“Sure Jon lets go into a conference room.” Chad had no idea what Jon wanted to discuss but he was to top act on the label right now truth be told so he was more than willing to do pretty much anything to keep this man happy. As they walked into a conference room Chad poured Jon some coffee and sat down across from him, “What’s up Jon? I didn’t know you were coming in today.”
After taking a sip of coffee Jon looked up at Chad, “I’m shopping around for my next contract and I’d like copies of everything I’ve signed here at Polygram so that I know what offers I get and how they directly compare to what I’ve had.”
“Jon is there something we’ve done that would make you want to shop around?”
“Not necessarily Chad but let’s be real when I signed that first contract I was unknown and had not bargaining power, I’m now the highest grossing artist on your label so I want to reap the benefits of me and my bands success.” He spoke calmly and directly and actually was very proud of himself for that.
“I’m sure we can just readdress your contract with the current success in mind.” Chad nervously offered.
“And I would expect nothing less, I of course have a loyalty to this organization but I’d still like the copies so I will have them all to compare, I’m also doing a reassessment of my banking organizations so I’d like a printout of what accounts Polygram is depositing money in for me.”
“Isn’t Doc still managing you?” Chad drew the conversation to a different direction.
“Yes he is Chad but that is not the point, I am doing this because when I got my first contract, Doc was not involved and I’m not letting him make the decision on this one for me either.” The wheels in his mind were turning to make sure he said what he needed and that he was as non-committal as possible.
“Alright Jon let’s bring you to accounting and I’ll go get the contracts. Just so we are clear you will entertain a bid from Mercury Records?”
“Chad you best call it Polygram it makes it easier for me.” He laughed, “But yes definitely I’d be disappointed if I didn’t see a new offer from you. By the way Chad this is between you and me. I haven’t told the band or Doc yet that I’m researching. The setup will be the same however, I’ll be signed and the band will still work for me.”
“Alright Jon I’ll go get everything copied for you after I show you to accounting, it shouldn’t take more than 20 min.”
“Thanks Chad I appreciate your attentiveness and privacy in this matter.”
They walked down to Accounting talking about trivial guy things, football and cars, once Chad told Accounting to give Jon anything he wanted he left to go get the papers in order.
Jon used his smile to get what he wanted of course, a printout of every account he had money being sent to.
“Mr. Bon Jovi here is the printouts of all your accounts, alphabetically, California, New Jersey and New York.” She handed him the papers with a smile, she of course, being a huge Bon Jovi fan never thought she’d get the chance to interact with him down in the Accounting department.
“Michelle, I’ve got a concern, I don’t have any accounts in California, are you sure that’s set up for me or Bon Jovi, can you print me the information when the account was set up?”
He said my name, oh my God he knows my name, and Michelle knew she had to remain professional or get walked out. “Sure Mr. Bon Jovi one moment.”
“Honey its Jon remember?” He smiled, oh yeah she’s a fan and this is easier this way.
“Oh I’m sorry Jon. Yes here’s the paperwork printing now.” She handed him the details on the California account.
“Thank you so much for your help Michelle, I’ll make sure Chad knows how amazing you are.” He smiled the smile that makes women across the globe forget to wear their panties to their shows and then walked out. He knew exactly where Chad’s office was so he turned to the left and headed to the elevator. While in route he looked down at the California information and sure as hell it wasn’t his signature authorizing money to be transferred there.
It took no time at all for Jon to get the paperwork from Chad and excuse himself from his company. Once he had the info on the mysterious account he wanted to talk to Kylee about the next steps.
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