Little Drummer Dog (16)
#16 of Little Drummer Dog.
Here is the long awaited Chapter 16, I apologise for the delay but I hope that you will still enjoy the story. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that I am using Wolf Seeker's character with his kind permission...Seeker my lord you are one in a million.
As always if you have any thoughts about the chapter please drop me a comment or two, votes and faves are appreciated too.
Little Drummer Dog. (16)
By Wolfie Steel.
We arrive back at the studio and Steve gently shakes me to wake me from my pleasant slumber, he then gives my head fur a gentle scratch which causes me to giggle a little.
"Okay, Sam, time to get back to the normal day to day grind, and I wouldn't mind betting that I have a ton of paperwork to do and phone calls to return."
I raise my head from Steve's lap and then I stand from my seat, in all truthfulness I could've happily stayed where I was, but Steve is right, it is time for us to rejoin the real world. As we make our way from the bus Eldon is busy unloading all our luggage and instruments.
We all walk into the foyer of the studio and find that Fiona obviously hasn't had enough work to do as she has been busy decorating the area with welcome home and congratulations banners.
The female Dalmatian then takes us all in turn in a warm hug.
"Guys, head on up to the conference room and I will bring some drinks up to you."
We all do as Fiona has asked and make our way to the conference room, once there we all collapse into the comfortable chairs that line the edges of the room, a few moments later Fiona walks into the room carrying a tray full of drinks, she places the tray down on the top of the conference table, she then does something that most other secretaries would not even consider doing, she stands between Steve and I and then turns around and parks her shapely butt between us forcing us to move asside.
"Got room for a little one here? Anyway boss, most of the calls and correspondence have been dealt with while you were away, but I did get an interesting call from someone calling himself Wolf Seeker."
At the mention of my business partners name my ears stand to full attention.
"He has made an appointment to meet with you guys tomorrow at 10 am."
Steve has seen the reaction that hearing Seeker's name has had on me.
"Sam, I take it that you know this mystery man?"
A smile breaks out on my muzzle as I remember the first time that I met with the Wolf.
"I do indeed Steve, he is the up until now silent business partner that helped me set-up the studios for Sound As A Hound, he was the one who gave me the rest of the money that I needed to get things up and running."
Steve begins to chew his lower lip for a moment and I know that he is thinking that maybe the fact that Seeker is back on the scene could mean more trouble for Jacks and Aces Wild.
"Relax Steve, Wolf Seeker is a true friend and confidant, trust me if he has chosen now to show his face then it won't be for anything bad for us as a band, in fact, Steve, I would go as far as to say that other than you, he is the only other guy that I trust 100%."
Steve seems to relax a little hearing this but I can tell that he is still a little worried as to what my friend and former business partner wants to speak to us over.
Tuesday comes round all too soon and Steve and I get suited and booted ready to head back to the studio to begin the task of making more music. We arrive just before 10 am and I instantly notice a Wolf whom I haven't seen for a couple of years is standing at the reception desk talking to Fiona. My friends tail is flicking a little and his ears are swivleing all signs that he has heard me trying to creep up on him. I decide to have some fun at my friend's expense.
"Bloody hell Steve, you really have got to get a better class of client, it seems that you are letting any old dog walk into your lobby."
Seeker's fur stands up on end as though he has just been hit with an electric shock.
"And here was I thinking that Shaun Marks was the worst furson that I would meet up with this week, just goes to prove how wrong I can be."
Once the jibes were out of the way Seeker turned around fully and took me in a bone crushing hug.
"Sam Vine you old dog how the hell have you been?"
I giggle a little as I make my reply.
"Hey, less of the old spank you very much, your only as old as the guy you feel."
We break from the hug and I lead the Wolf over to where a slightly bemused Steve is standing, once we are standing in front of Steve I make the proper introductions.
"Mr Steve Jacks I would like to introduce you to my former business partner and still very good friend Mr Wolf Seeker."
Steve and Seeker shake each other by the paw and then Steve leads us both towards the elevator, stopping just briefly to ask Fiona to take any calls for a while. There is quite a bit of small talk as we ride the elevator to Steve's office.
We arrive at the office and step inside, Steve then closes the door and offers Seeker a seat, with the three of us settled Steve begins to speak.
"So Mr Seeker tell me, what is it that I can do for you?"
Seeker clears his throat and begins his reply.
"Actually I am here for three reasons, the first reason is to let you both know that our friends Mr Shaun Marks and his keyboard player are no longer affiliated with my band Sound As A Hound." the second reason is to apologise for any ill feeling caused by my two now ex band members, and the final reason is to put forward a proposal that hopefully will be financially beneficial for all concerned."
Steve turns his seat slightly to face me.
"Sam, would you get us some tea and coffee please?"
I head to the back of Steve's office where he has tea and coffee making facilities, after a few moments I make it back to Steve's desk and place a tray of drinks down onto the desk, Steve picks up his mug off coffee and takes a sip before addressing the Wolf again.
"Well Mr Seeker, while Sam and I don't hold you responsible for the actions of Mr Marks, it is nice to know that you know a bit about business ethics and are not above apololgising when something or someone has done wrong so on that score we accept your apology, as for you having a proposal of some kind I am all ears."
Seeker takes a sip from his drink and then begins to outline his idea.
"It seems a little odd to me now that there are two recording studios in the same town and barely two miles appart, and so to my proposal, Sound As A Hound is still going to be in existance, however, I do not want them to be rivals to Jacks and Aces Wild in fact I was wondering if we could join the Jacks Record label?"
This was something that neither myself or Steve had seen coming, we gave the idea quite a lot of thought, yes Sound As A Hound was now more of an electronicly influenced band but it would mean that the rivalry and bad feeling between Jacks and Aces Wild and Sound As A Hound would end and as Seeker said it would be commercially and financially beneficial to all involved and would cement the reputation of Jacks Records as being a serious record label.
I give Steve a gentle nod as the unspoken question hangs between us, yes there is going to be further negotiations needed but no one can deny that this idea would work on so many levels.