Chapter 2
For the following two weeks I feverishly learned how to hook up new equipment. The internship turned out to be the best thing I had done for myself in years. Not only was I doing the work of a desk worker, I also learned the manual labor of recording. When local bands came in periodically during the week to record demos, Jake would show me how to make mixes of their songs. I learned how to put together the music with the voices to make a song and a few tricks on how to figure out simple problems. I studied as much as I could the buttons on the giant switchboard, trying to commit them to memory. After working there for only two weeks, I knew that it was something I could do for the rest of my life. I enjoyed every moment I was there, but unfortunately it was gettting in the way of my school work. One day, Jake confronted me about it.
“Melody, we need to talk,” he interrupted me as I put together a mix of one of the bands songs, trying to create a dance-mix.
“Sure. You need research or something?” I asked absently as I fiddled with the bass.
“I was notified today by your counselor that you’re grades are falling,” he sighed, turning my chair toward him, so I’d pay attention to him.
“Well, they’re only going into B’s. I’ll be able to pull them up fairly quickly,” I shrugged it off. “Besides, it’s only the second week of the six weeks and my second week here--I’ve just wanted to get to know the ropes a bit. Now that I do, I won’t have to spend so much time learning things and I can just get them done and pay attention to my homework, too.”
“Melody, the only way you can keep this internship is by keeping an 85 average at the six weeks grading period. If you don’t have that average, you lose the internship,” he said forcefully. “I can’t afford to lose you. Training someone else would take another two weeks, and the new client is coming in three days. I need you to keep this job. It would be so hectic to have to switch interns if they started recording here. Just promise me you’ll try to keep your grades up.”
“You know I will. By the way, who is this new client you keep talking about? I still don’t know who the mystery people are,” I tried to change the subject tactfully, but apparently it didn’t work.
“Melody, don’t mess this up, okay?” was his worried response.
“Mess up your chance with the client?” I asked, puzzled.
“Don’t mess up anything. Just stay that girl you were when you walked in those doors,” he looked at the entrance to the studio. “You belong here, but I can’t keep you here if you forget that you’re here for education. You need high school. This is just extra to help you get even farther ahead in life, but this can be eliminated. High school can’t.”
“Okay, Jake. I understand. I won’t let you down,” I smiled. I couldn’t let him down now. My promise to him would have to stand firm so that he would know I was a sincere person. Letting him down would be like demolishing something greater than any one person--I would be losing his trust.
***
Three days later the mystery client was coming, and Jake couldn’t have been more wound up. He checked the equipment more than ten times, making sure it was all working. It looked great--like a real professional studio, not a mid-America independent recording studio. I was so excited to be able to finally meet the client. Apparently, it was someone semi-famous because they were going to “make the studio famous” for recording there, according to Jake.
They were scheduled to come around 5:00 that afternoon, and from the moment I arrived from my morning classes at 1:20 until around 4:00, I was running a huge checklist of things to do. It took me the full three hours to double-check all the new equipment, vacuum and sweep every room of the studio, clean off my tiny, make-shift desk, Jake’s desk, and Sharon’s desk. I situated new chairs in the waiting area, printed out a list of our new equipment, went to the florist and retrieved some fresh flowers for the waiting area, and washed the front windows. I checked the equipment, yet again, at the request of Jake and then went out and bought a quick snack around four so that I wouldn’t have my stomach grumbling as I talked to the client.
Jake had told me already he was putting full trust in me to give them the “grand tour.” He would be helping me along by explaining the new equipment which I hadn’t gotten the terms known by heart yet, and he would also give them the full history of his operation after the tour.
I sat in my small desk in the back room when I heard them come into the area between the inside doors and the outside doors. Quickly, I knocked on Jake’s door and stepped inside. Sharon knew to tell them we would be out in only a moment. We wanted them to see that we were busy, but we would always make time for them.
“They’re here,” I whispered, my hands shaking with excitement. I wanted this to work out for Jake. I wanted him to be happy.
“Melody, I have something I want to tell you before we go out there,” Jake smiled widely.
“Yes?”
“If we get this client, and they’re willing to record their next album here, I’ll have enough money to employ you. You’ll become my partner,” he must have seen the shock on my face, so he continued, “I know that’s kind of hard to imagine right now at 17, but I’ve seen the music in you. I’ve seen the passion. I know that you love the music with all you have and realize that this isn’t a job--this is a way of life. This is your heart and soul. This is your very breath when you’re in the business. Music isn’t a business that can be run well by people who are only in it to get the chance to write it onto an application. It takes a lot of work and a lot of passion to be the best. I can see you know this can be an opportunity to be a part of something in the most soulful business in the world and to experience music, not just hear it. I’m not asking you to be partner right away--I’ll create a position for you if necessary, but one day, I know you will be able to do this better than anyone I’ve ever met. You have the potential.”
“Thank you, Jake.” Lame as it was, I couldn’t think of anything else to say. He had figured me out in only a few short weeks. He knew what I was about when even I didn’t know, and he wanted to give me an almost blind chance.
“Okay, Melody. This is it. Are you ready?” he smiled, getting up from his chair.
“Yes, I’m ready. Let’s get this over with,” I nodded my head and turned towards the door again. I took a deep breath and stepped out into the waiting area where Sharon was making small talk with our prospective clients. Their backs were to us, and from what I could tell, they looked young. They were nearly the same in height, but one was about three inches shorter. There were three younger guys, each with blonde hair, standing with a middle-aged man with brown hair. Jake cleared his throat, and all three of them turned around, revealing their identity.
“Hello, I’m Jake Thames, the owner,” he approached Isaac Hanson and shook his hand. Then he shook the hands of Taylor, Zac and, lastly, Walker. “This is Melody, my apprentice. She’ll be showing you around. I’m so glad you could make it today. I’m hopeful that you’ll like what you see here,” he smiled warmly at the guys. Then he turned to me. “Melody, lead the way.”
“Yes, sir,” I agreed. I tried my best to remain as normal as possible, but it was hard when the three guys you’ve watched grow from a “backyard-barbecue band” into one of the most famous bands in the world has just walked into the place you work.
Since I was eleven years old, I had known of Hanson. I had been one of their first fans, following them around Tulsa to their infrequent appearances. Me, a pre-teen roadie. I had even had them play at my 12th birthday party for a price that they would laugh hysterically at now. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to them that day, though I would have liked to. I couldn’t believe that my childhood crushes stood before me in all their glory, contemplating spending the next six months at our studio to record.
“I’m sure you’ll love this place. The room you’re in now is simply a waiting room for clients. We try to make it as comfortable as possible. If you’ll follow me through this door,” I motioned to the door that leads into the large studio, “then I’ll show you our facility.”
***
“...and if we should gain your account, we will be able to buy the empty building next door and expand. Right now, plans are very tentative, but we’re hoping that with your help they’ll become solid,” Jake finished. He had given them the speech I had helped write out the night before, in hopes of swaying their decision. Now, I not only wanted this for Jake, but for me, too. Jake had given me a chance that I was sure wouldn’t come up again in many years, and I wanted to take it, but the only way I could was if I was able to make Hanson our client. I put aside the fact that I used to worship these boys when they were unknown and tried to focus on the fact that with their help, I could have a job I would love.
“Well, I think we have enough information to make our decision now, could you pardon us a moment?” Isaac spoke for them and then pulled his brothers and father to the opposite side of the room.
“I think we got, them Melody. I can see it in their eyes--they like this place,” Jake said quietly to me.
“You think so?” I laughed nervously.
“Yes, I do. This is it, Melody. This is what I’ve been waiting for,” he whispered excitedly. I bit my bottom lip in anticipation as they returned from their huddle.
“We’ve made our decision,” Taylor looked at his brothers. “We’re going to use your studio.”
Jake grabbed me and hugged me at the news. I laughed at his extreme excitement and approached the Hansons. I hugged each one, thanking them. I could smell Isaac’s cologne distinctly when I hugged him. I had always liked Isaac the most, and now I would be able to talk to him daily. It was a dream come true, twice over.
Tell me what you think
Chapter 3
Chapter Index