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Seth was finished with the nightly routine and was relaxing in his room when someone rang the bell.  A few moments later he heard his mother call to him to come down.

In the foyer was a tall gaunt man.  He wore a doublebreasted suit and waistcoat, and in one hand was a bouler hat, in the other an umbrella.  Seth vaugely recognized him from the Tasty Dog that night a couple of weeks ago when he'd played there.

"This is Mr. Fortune.  He wanted to speak with you about your music."  Seth's mother says.  Fortune bows slightly.

"I heard you play by chance at a local establishment, I was very impressed.  I was hoping to speak with you concerning your music, and your plans."

"Please, come to the living room."  your mother says, leading the way.  Fortune follows and your mother offers him a seat.  "Will you have a drink?"  she aks, pausing near the bar.

"Scotch if you have it.  No  ice."  He turns his attention back to Seth, "So, have you thought about what you want to do with your talents Seth?"

His mind drifting towards the events of the party he dreamily said "I wanna save the world"

"I mean from this poorly produced music that I can't escape from when I turn on a radio. I've considered performing for the New York Met, or something similar. I've given thought to what it would be like to be a rockstar, you know, boy my age and all.

It all seems so far away, out of reach. I know I can play, and I make a decent bit of change playing little bars and clubs and stuff, but I have to beleive there's something more out there for me.

So I guess the real question is...What can you do for me? & And what can I do for you in return?"

Fortune smiles, "I can make your dreams into reality.  I think you have the talent to do any and all of the things you just described.  It would take commitment, and focus.  You're really too good to be wasted as anything but a soloist.  In an orchestra your talents wouldn't stand out.  Even in a band you'd be surrounded by inferior performers.  No, artists of your caliber come along only once in a great while.  Perhaps a school where your talents could be explored and honed.  I feel you're wasting your time in public school, but of course an education is very important."

Steeling a quick glance towards his mother "What exactly are you proposing? Is there some music school around here, I haven't heard about?"

Seth began to think about all the crazy crap that was happening around his school, and realized that his other gift implied a certain responsibility to that environment as well.

Not that the chance to realize all his hopes and dreams and potential wasn't alluring.

Seth tried to make his face a mask. He intended to hear everything this man said. Truely said. And he scraped his mind for any information about Mr. Fortune. Was there a Fortune record company?

"Around here, heavens no.  New York, that's what I have in mind.  While you're working on your education, we'll be working on your career.  I'd like to cut a demo before I go back to New York.  I have a song, something I think you can do justice to.  Would you be free Saturday afternoon to spend some time in a studio down in Chicago?"

Looking at his mother again for confirmation, and finding it, Seth nodded his ascent. "That sounds great. Should i prepare something?"

Fortune reaches in his coat and gives Seth some sheets of music and lyrics.  "Take a few days to look this over, I'll be in touch to arrange the exact time for the studio session."  With that Fortune stands, "Now, if you'll excuse me I have a pressing engagement, it's been a pleasure meeting with you Seth.  I look forward to working with you."  He hands you his card.

Seth's mother shows Fortune out, then comes back after he's gone.

"This is exciting.  Your father will be very pleased."

Seth looks over the music.  The song is a sad piece.  The music includes the movements for six instruments and the lyrics.  Seth can imagine the music together, it seems like it would be a very haunting and sad piece.  The lyrics are moving, sort of ballad like.

Seth begins to practice...every night.

Practices till the calouses on his fingers reform, practices till it's the only song left in his head.

He would be ready.

The day comes, and Seth meets Mr. Fortune at the studio.  The crew there are very enthusiastic.

The song is laid down in multi track, with Seth playing all the instruments and then doing the vocal track to the mix.

The session lasts most of the day, and when it's over the crew seem really excited about the piece.  they tell Seth it'll take a few days to get together, and they'll send him a copy.

"I'll be taking the master to a few record labels over the next month or so.  I'll let them hear you, and then give them some time to send people down here."  Fortune gives Seth another copy of his business card.  "Let me know if you do any small shows, a day or two in advance.  That way I can let some of them know if they want to see you perform.  When I kniow if we have interest, we can talk contracts.  Because of your age I'll want to work out a special percentage arrangement to help set your parents at ease.  We'll go over all that once we know if we have any interest."

"Thank you. I'm sure I can set up a gig if need be. If you have someplace in mind, or i could just throw something together at the Tasty Dog, or any of the local Coffee houses. Help me help you help me.

Seriously Mr. Fortune. Thank you. I can't tell you what all this interest means to me."

"Oh, I recognize talent when I see it.  In the end I'm sure it'll seem as though you've helped me far more then I've helped you."

After the session Seth's parents take him to dinner to celebrate.

Seth orders the cheesecake. It's heavenly.

"Dad, have you even seen a contract yet? I haven't"

"Mr. Fortune and I talked about it a bit.  His fifteen percent would be divided into two parts.  Ten percent which he would receive directly and the other five would go into an account.  If he's failed to meet our expectations during the two years of the five year term of the contract then he gets that money and we mutually terminate the contract and you're free to sign with someone else.  If we are satisfied then we get that money back and for the rest of the contract he earns the whole fifteen percent.  Once he brings me paper, I'll have our lawyers look it over."