Rewind With A Superstar System-Chapter 53: Contract Issues

<🎧 Song Recommendation: Happy by Pharrell Williams>

...

Von paused with the knife hovering halfway through the steak. "What is it?"

Zack reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. He tapped the screen a few times, unlocking a file he had saved, and slid the device across the table toward Von.

"You’ve heard of the Brooklyn Agency?" Zack asked, watching Von’s reaction closely. "The biggest talent agency in America?"

Von frowned, staring at the name on the screen. He was new to this entire world, so he had no idea what Zack was talking of.

"Agency? Is that like a label?"

Zack sighed, pushing his glasses up. "Not quite. Think of it like this: A label owns your music, but an Agency owns your schedule. Agents are the hunters. They’re the ones who go out into the jungle and find the gigs, the tours, the brand deals, and the movie roles. Without an agent, you’re just a guy singing in his bedroom. With a good agent, you’re a product that gets sold to the world."

"They work on commission. They don’t get paid unless you get paid. So, if you get a good one, they will fight tooth and nail to make you rich because that’s how they eat. Your entire career growth depends on who is making those calls for you." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Von nodded slowly, processing the information. It made sense. He looked back down at the file. "So... the Brooklyn Agency contacted me?"

"No," Zack corrected. "They didn’t. But someone related to them did. Emily Brooklyn. She’s the daughter of the CEO, James Brooklyn. She used to be their top scout until she got involved with a murder case a year ago and got blacklisted by all the major agencies and talents."

Von looked down at the document once again. "If no one wants her, why should I be interested? It wouldn’t make sense to deal with a criminal, will it?

"Normally, no. But right now, let’s be real. You’re essentially a nobody in the business. You might be attracting some fame from Project: Star, but that’s fleeting reality TV hype. It’s not enough to attract an agency, unless you win the whole thing. And even then, you’d be one of fifty new clients they sign that month."

Von found reason with what he said but questioned Zack some more, "But why did she think it will be safe to come with this offer through you? And what even attracted her to me?

"It feels like she’s been observing you for a while. She claims she discovered you through the show, but she flew all the way from New York to Miami just to meet me at the law library. She asked a lot of questions and knew a lot about you."

"What sort of stuff?" Von raised his eyebrow.

"Personal stuff. Your background, your ethic, your past," Zack admitted. "I didn’t answer everything, obviously. But she’s really interested in you, specifically. She thinks you’re the key to her comeback. But that aside... look at the contract she wants you to sign."

Von returned to the phone. On the screen was a PDF document with a bold header: EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION & MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT.

He scrolled through it, but most of it was legal jargon that made his head spin. Exclusivity clauses... Territory rights... Power of Attorney... He understood the words individually, but stringing them together into a binding legal concept was a headache.

"Can you just tell me what I need to do?" Von finally gave up, looking at the experienced law student with a wry smile.

"It’s a standard contract to secure her as your Agent," Zack explained, pointing at the screen. "But this one goes beyond that. She’s interested in becoming your Manager as well. She wants to handle both roles for you, so finding the work and managing your brand. Just read Clause 4."

Von squinted at the small text and located the paragraph Zack was pointing to.

"Agent shall receive a combined commission equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the Gross Moneys received by Artist for all services rendered..."

"Twenty-five percent commission!?" Von practically shouted, causing a few heads in the restaurant to turn. He lowered his voice to a hiss. "That’s a quarter of everything I make!"

"I know, it seems huge," Zack said calmly. "But when you consider how the industry works, she’s actually being fair. I did a lot of research on this. If you were getting a top-tier Agent and a Manager separately, you’ll be bleeding up to 30 or 35% of your income."

"Also, I checked and found out that you would be her only client. That means you get 100% of her attention. For a comeback prospect like her, you are everything."

Von narrowed his eyes, still skeptical. "You’ve explained already, but do I really need all this? Can’t I just go solo?"

"Hell no," Zack laughed, shaking his head. "You should be thankful one was delivered straight to your doorstep. Without an agent, you can’t get into the rooms where the real money is. And without a manager, you’ll drown in the logistics. You’ll spend all your time booking flights and reading contracts instead of singing."

"And you’re encouraging me to work with a blacklisted agent who might have murdered her former prospect?" Von countered, raising an eyebrow.

"Trust me. That probably never happened. I considered a lot to be assured she’s clean. Maybe her mental state, currently might not be the best, but she might just be the best agent you could ask for. Treat it like a gamble"

Von nodded slowly. Zack’s logic was sound. She was still an esteemed figure once before. He gave it some thought before sighing. "Alright then... So I have to sign the contract now?"

"Of course not!" Zack crossed his arms, objecting with a smug grin.

"Huh?"

"Think about it. She flew here, and even tracked me down. She’s desperate. It’s obvious she sees something special in you, you’re more valuable to her than you can imagine. If you sign now, you lock in that 25%. But if you win the show... your value skyrockets. So you’ll have leverage and reduce that commission further!"

Von stared at his friend in amazement. "You really are a genius, man. Thanks a lot. I don’t know what I’d have done without you."

"Once I get my license this year, you’ll be thanking me with cash. But for now, you’re welcome." Zack said with a light laugh.

Von smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. The expertise he had just seen from Zack convinced him to try his luck with something else that was bothering him.

"Uh, Zack..." Von started, his voice dropping lower.

"There’s something else I might need your help with."