Can't Help Falling in Love by David W. Menefee, Carol Dunitz Page A

puff of smoke purposefully in
Allison’s direction and she ignored Karen’s question, choosing instead to turn
the tables on her. She sneered, “Have you signed a contract with them?”
        
Allison was incredulous over what she was hearing. “We have an agreement,
probably not as special as one that I’m sure you’ve already got planned! Now
listen here, I don’t know what you mean to achieve, but I know where I stand!”
         Sharon looked at her with an expression of
amusement, as if she was watching Shirley Temple throw a tantrum. She inhaled a
deep, lung-filling drag on her cigarette and then practically belched the fumes
again toward Allison. “Phil Samuels and I have known each other for a long
time. Why shouldn’t I have something special planned for his rising new star?”
        
Allison nearly choked from the smoke. Her eyes began to water and she felt
intimidated by Sharon ’s gutsy demeanor. She now realized by Sharon ’s comments that she and Phil had
probably been heavily involved in some way or another, an idea as unsavory as Sharon ’s disgusting smoking habit.
         Sharon added, “What Phil and I have is of
primary importance to me. It’s taken me a long time to cultivate our
relationship. I don’t want anyone coming along and spoiling it, Allison
Webster. In fact, I won’t let anyone spoil our plans!”
        
Allison struggled to keep her composure in the face of Sharon ’s total lack of delicacy. She
retaliated, “I have no plans to disrupt your relationships, personal or
otherwise. As far as I’m concerned, Phillip Samuel’s just another president of
another company. I’m doing work for an artist, who may or may not have a
long-term relationship with Phillip Samuels. Do I need to remind you of Star
Records’ reputation? So far, they’re a small fish in a big sea. I believe this
artist may go all the way to the top, in which case, I’d look for him to
advance to a bigger label with the money and clout to market his work to the
largest audience possible. In the meantime, we have every intention of going
forward with our efforts to prepare him for the success he deserves.”
         Sharon flicked her cigarette at the cup and
missed, dropping ashes in a fiery clump on the floor and ignoring the dangerous
mess. “I need someone who’s on board with our team. You seem to harbor some kind
of resentment, despite the fact that you don’t have any contract with him. A
verbal agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on! We have an iron-clad contract. If we decide
to sell that contract to a larger label, that’ll be our prerogative. I’ll be
involved in any negotiations to that end, so you might as well get used to the
idea that I’m part of the picture, here, now, and forever after. I’m so glad
we’ve been able to clear the air so quickly. We should be able to work well
together . . . so long as we understand each other.”
        
“You mean as long as I don’t get in your way?”
         Sharon smiled at Allison’s verbal dart,
withdrew some papers from her purse, and laid them on the coffee table. She
then voiced her next statement with extreme care. “As long as
you cooperate, Miss Webster. I’ve brought a copy of the list of
publications I’m getting information on that I expect he’ll be interested in
appearing in. You’ll be wise to fashion your layouts according to their
standards of acceptability.”
     
   “How thorough you are,” Allison said. “I’ll appreciate
knowing, too, which magazines you’re inclined to select as you come closer to
those decisions. It will help me refine my proposals.” No sooner had she made
that comment than she thought, I wish I could retract that! It
sounds like I’m dying to be of service to her, which isn’t the impression I
meant to give. She’s got me so nervous, and with him in the back changing
clothes just out of earshot! I’ve got to sharpen my wits if I’m to duel with
this