The world's a scary place

So much thrown in your face

And you try to keep pace

But you can't

--unpublished lyrics by Orion Bauwens

Saturn Mutants

Orion drops out of school immediately. He's eighteen, so legally he can. Ben and I finish and graduate.

My parents came to my graduation. The last few weeks they've begrudgingly been speaking with me, too. They were very vocal about the fact they still didn't agree with the decision I had made for myself, but at least we were speaking.

I was staying with Orion, and I had honestly never felt freer in my entire life. I had taken a hold of my life and was doing what I wanted. More importantly, Ben, Orion, and myself were staying together. Had I gone back in time to a year and told myself where I'd be now, I wouldn't believe it. I'd laugh at myself, it was absurd.

We've started work immediately. We already had enough material to produce an album, so now it was just a matter of actually putting it together. We spent stupid long hours at a studio inside EMI, because we couldn't afford renting our own. 

Sleep became a myth to us. We tried to pretend we didn't notice when Orion started popping pills to stay awake. We knew he was getting them from our friend, Simon. Simon had also dropped out of school without graduating, but was making a living out of dealing drugs. I sure as shit didn't agree with it, but he only dealt in high-end deals...Meaning, there wasn't a risk of me getting shot in a drive-by over a drug deal gone bad if I was ever hanging out with Simon.

We also had to set up the business end of things. Even though he wasn't obliged to, Paul ended up helping us find a manager. I'm not sure if it was because he was genuinely invested in us as a band, or because him and Orion had not so discretely started fucking. Even though I wasn't a fan of finding out about their relationship via Orion moaning in the bathroom one day, I also couldn't exactly complain. Without Paul I don't think any of us would've known where to start.

We've been interviewing managers all day. Literally, all day. Orion is being stupid picky. I'm starting to not be a fan of how...controlling, he is. He's micro-managing everything already.

"Thank you so much," Orion says to the candidate we just interviewed, "we'll be in touch."

As soon as the man in a suit is gone, I moan, putting my head on the long table we sit at. Ben sighs and sinks down into his chair. Orion taps his pen against the yellow notepad he has in front of him.

"One more," he says, eyes pouring over the notes he's written.

"Fuck, dude," I groan. "Come on!"

"No, I can't," Ben says. "I think I'm going to die. I think I'm going to literally die."

"One more, I promise," Orion insists.

"Fine," we say together.

Paul even looks tired. Even so he leaves the room and calls in the final person for the night.

She's a short Hispanic woman. She's wearing a plum suit-skirt outfit paired with a ruffled, silk, off-white blouse beneath the blazer. Her raven hair is pulled back into a high ponytail. She's a large woman, her hands are beautifully manicured, and she has on heels that match her outfit perfectly, like they had come from the same dye batch. She has on fake eyelashes and thick black eyeliner, but it's not trashy--it makes her dark pretty eyes stand out. 

Before she sits in the chair, she frowns at our table. She comes over, setting down her purple folder. Without asking, or being asked, she gathers up the garbage that's accumulated throughout the day. Burger wrappers, empty boxes, empty water and pop bottles, snack wrappers...She sweeps it all up into her arms. She even shakes our coffee cups, leaving mine when there's still liquid in it, and then dumps everything in the trash.

I look over at Orion. He's sitting straight up, at full attention. Thank God--maybe the world's longest day can finally end.

The woman picks up her folder, pulls out three resumes, and sets one in front of each of us. She then goes in front of the chair. Instead of sitting she stands.

"Good evening, my name is Gloria Gonzalez." She frowns. "It looks like you boys could use some sleep--are you alright?"

Orion breaks out into a smile. "Yeah, we're good...How're you, Ms. Gonzalez?"

"Good, and it's Mrs."

"Oh, sorry about that."

She smiles faintly. "So, as you can see on my resume," we all crane our heads down. "I have an extensive background in band management. My past three jobs have consisted of working for three other major record labels, with each employment lasting no shorter than five years. Seeing as you are a fresh band, I am more than willing to take on the responsibility of career strategies, such as merchandise, publicity, and PR relations. I also have much experience in advocating for the band, including negotiating fees and pay, negotiating contracts, and making sure the band is treated fairly by the label."

I look at Orion, my eyebrows raised. He's now crossed his arms, eyes narrowed, hand to his chin. I would come to know this look very well--it was Business Orion. I look back at the woman standing before us.

"I also would research extensively-however long it takes--venues, and I would only book you at places that make sense--that is, to match the trajectory of where the band wants to take themselves. And of course I wouldn't book anything without conferring with you first." She purses her lips. "I know some managers spearhead everything and leave the band out of those discussions, and if you want me to, I will. But quite frankly I don't feel comfortable doing that--this is your band, not mine."

We all look at each other, eyebrows raised.

"I personally prefer a hands-off approach when it comes to such things," she continues. "I am more than willing to create set lists--and I have in the past, so I am perfectly capable of doing so--however I believe that is something the band themselves should manage, not me."

She stands up a bit straighter. "If I become your manager, I will have nothing but your best interest in heart. I will be your advocate. I will fight for you. I have zero problem throwing my weight around--however, I assure you I am professional and I don't go looking for a fight."

That makes us chuckle.

"I also want you to know you can trust me," she says seriously, looking at each one of us. "I will be your personal HR. If any of you feel that you are being treated unfairly, whether it's by EMI, or another band at a show, or even by someone else within the band, I will deal with it if you want me to. I find that acting as a go-between can make situations less--" she pauses, thinking. "Sticky."

There's silence a moment as we all pour over her resume. Then I catch Gloria as she sticks her nose in the air slightly. "May I speak freely?"

We all look at each other. Orion moves his hand away from his chin and sits up straight. Ben and I look at him. I shrug. Orion turns back to her.

"Yeah, go ahead."

She gets a pained look on her face. "May I ask how old you boys are?"

"I'm seventeen," I say. I then look at Ben. "He's seventeen too, but Orion's eighteen."

"Ah dios mio, that's young..." Her face hardens. "I know if you've gotten this far you're all not stupid, so you know about the dark side of fame. I vow to do my best to protect you boys so this job doesn't fuck you up."

That surprises me. I look over, and my friends are wearing the same expression I'm sure I am.

"I'm serious."

We all look back at her. She seems to deflate a little, and she gives a fond smile. "So, truth be told, I saw you at one of your concerts..."

"You did?" Orion asks.

"Yeah," she replies. "I was blown away, honestly. That's why I'm here. I really, really, really want to manage you."

Orion slips back into Business Orion. "Which show? What was our set list?"

"Marquette. Set list was Aerial View, Too Much On My Mind, Infinity, Diaphragm, and Kill The Silence, with an encore of There's A Reason Why Dreams Are Numbered." By the time she's done she's grinning, opening her folder. "I was really hoping you weren't going to take me saying that at face value. You're smart, Mr. Bauwens."

She walks forward, putting the playbill on the table. Still grinning, she then goes back to where she was standing.

Orion picks up the bill and breaks into a grin. He looks at us, and we smile. I nod my head. Then he looks at her.

"Okay, you're hired."

She blinks. "Really?"

"Yeah!"

For a second we all celebrate. But then she clears her throat. She holds up her hand. "There's one final thing we need to discuss before I accept the position."

"Shoot," Orion says.

"I am a human being first, a manager second." Her eyes flash. "I have too many friends whose band's treat them like shit just because they're famous and can get away with it. If you ever, ever do anything out of line, I'm gonna drop your asses so fast it'll make your head spin."

We all crack up. She looks a little relieved. Orion pulls out the contract and holds it up, tapping it with his pen. "That just fucking solidified it. Come over here, Gloria, and sign."

With a smile on her face that's exactly what she does.