Free Crooked G's by S. K. Collins

Clarity and didn’t want to say anything stupid to fuck up her chances.
    I got Killa D and Piff to sign with me. But that was done over the phone. I gotta do this shit face-to-face now, Latrice said to herself hoping she could get over her anxiety.
    Fantasy knocked on Clarity’s private room and waited for someone to come to the door. Latrice’s heart was beating fast as hell when Dull opened the door. Dull was a tall, brown-skinned cat with a goatee and long dreads. He looked just as intimidating on the stage to Latrice as he did off of it.
    â€œWhat’s up, Fantasy?” Dull said as he pulled the door back to let them both in. Dull licked his lips as he looked at Latrice when she walked past him. She noticed and gave him a wink to get onhis good side. Latrice had a strategy of her own. Whose opinion did Clarity admire more than Dull’s? If Dull liked Latrice, that would give Clarity all more of a reason to sign with her. When Latrice got around the corner, Clarity was in her clear view.
    Clarity was leaned back in a leather chair in front of a square table smoking a blunt, as she sipped on a cup of peach Cîroc.
    â€œYo, Clare. This is the girl I was tellin’ you about,” Fantasy informed her as they walked over to the table.
    Clarity put down her blunt and got up to shake Latrice’s hand. “How you doing?”
    â€œI’m doing good now that I finally got the chance to meet you.”
    â€œI don’t know about that. The pleasure might be mine.” Clarity gave Latrice a slight grin. “Please have a seat so we can talk.” Clarity pulled out a chair for Latrice to sit in. Fantasy saw it was time to make her exit and let Latrice know she was leaving.
    â€œI’m outta here. You got it from here? You got me later, right?”
    â€œWhatchu mean?”
    Fantasy gave her that “come on now, bitch, you should already know” look, and waited for Latrice to comprehend. Damn. I just gave this bitch a hundred dollars. Now she wants more.
    Latrice was going to pay her again for the services, since she did set up the meeting, but was only going to compensate her on how well the meeting turned out. “I gotchu,” Latrice replied.
    After Fantasy knew she was getting some more money out of Latrice, she quickly left the room smiling. Shortly after Fantasy was gone, Clarity gave Dull the sign to leave them alone as she passed him the blunt.
    â€œI’m gonna go see what’s up with these bitches out there,” Dull said as he departed smoothly.
    â€œSo what’s ya name?” Clarity asked as she lit up another blunt.
    â€œLatrice.”
    Clarity smiled. “That’s cute.”
    â€œThank you, Clarity.”
    â€œMy real name is Claretta, but you can just call me Clare.”
    Latrice started to relax knowing that Clarity was chilled and not boisterous now that she was offstage.
    â€œWhere are you from?” Clarity asked.
    â€œI’m from Northwest, Seventh and P. What about you?”
    Clarity blew out smoke. “I’m straight up Potomac Gardens.” Clarity was all about business and wanted to get straight to the point. “So you here to see about signing me?”
    â€œYes. But first I want to say, I love your music and I’m a big fan.”
    Clarity nodded her head and smiled, showing Latrice that she’d accepted her compliment. “You’re the best thing out and you know how to give the crowd what they want. Latrice felt she had Clarity’s attention and continued to go for it. “I’m about to build the biggest label that anyone has ever seen. I got some of the best producers and marketing concepts that will be sure to put any artist that signs with me guaranteed platinum success. The label I’m talking about is Bangspot…Bangspot Records.”
    â€œIt sounds good and all, but how someone who’s about to start a label do something that the majors can’t even do?