radio shows. We'll send you to the opening of a Wal-Mart if we think it will get you fans." TJ laughs. "But who am I kidding? Wal-Mart won't even carry your CD because of the content. This baby is going to be too hot to handle."
I smile weakly. Too hot to handle? I look at Mom. She looks nervous too. At least she's finally paying attention, even if it has nothing to do with something I said. I wonder if Mom actually talked to TJ about any of this beforehand or if she was so excited about Kaitlin Burke, music star, that she just wanted to get me in here? I glance at the door. What would happen if I bolted?
"Of course, we'd build up your album with tons of pre-publicity," TJ adds. "We rock at that. We'll leak the most offensive, or hottest, song first and see what the public thinks before we commit to a first single."
"Thanks for your time, TJ," Seth says, putting his hand on my shoulder and helping me stand. Mom quickly moves to Seth's side. "We'll think about it and call you."
I look at the clock. I still have fifteen minutes to get to the Grove. If Rodney takes the side streets I might make it on time. I sneak a peek at my Sidekick. I have no new messages. I hope Liz heard my voicemail.
"Whoa, whoa," TJ holds up his hands in surrender. "This offer is only good if I can hear her sing. Meg said she has a killer voice and I want to hear those pipes."
My chest begins to constrict. "Here? Now? I don't have anything prepared," I blurt out. I look at Seth and Mom. Mom is actually perspiring, something I've never seen happen to her before.
TJ hands me a sheet of paper. "That's okay. We already wrote you a song. Our mixing room is on this floor. I've got a group waiting to lay it down. Once we hear you sing it, we can move forward."
Okay, this is moving too fast for me. I glance down at the paper. The song is titled "Paparazzi Princess."
"TJ, I don't think Kaitlin is prepared to sing for you today," Mom tells him. "Maybe we could come back another time."
"Who comes to a record meeting about an album without being ready to sing?" TJ laughs. "You said she'd sing and I cleared my schedule so that she could do that."
The room is quiet. TJ has us. Seth pulls at the collar of his pressed white shirt, which he's wearing under a smart navy suit that I'm sure is Ralph Lauren. Mom fans herself with the sheet music.
"It's just . . . Kaitlin's vocal cords are kind of strained," Mom starts to say. Then she sees TJ's face. It could melt rubber. "But I guess she could do a quick take. We can't make time for a studio session. Kaitlin could sing a few bars for you right here if you want. Do you have a tape recorder?"
"Mom," I hiss.
"This will only take a few minutes," Mom says dismissively as TJ reaches into his desk and pulls out a tiny pocket recorder.
I read over the words to the song and am not sure if I should laugh or cry.
You think you know me,but can't you see?
I'm tired of being the princess. I don't want to win your heart,that was fine to start, but the truth is:
(Chorus)
This Daddy's girl is ready to fly,watch me, world, with a close eye.
I've got a new way of doing things.
This time, I'm the one pulling the strings.
Lights! Camera! Action!
You've never seen anything like the new me before.
And you probably never will again, you bores.
I'm a bad girl stuck in a good-girl role,but now that the show is over, I've got a new goal.
I want to be your paparazzi princess. I want to have your attention.
Keep your eye on my ascension.
When you're not looking, I'm a different girl.
I'm not Sam. I'm ready to take the bad new me out for a whirl.
DJ, hit it!
(Chorus)
This Daddy's girl is ready to fly,watch me, world, with a close eye.
I've got a new way of doing things.
This time, I'm the one pulling the strings.
Lights! Camera! Action!
You've never seen anything like the new me before.
And you probably never will again, you bores.
There's more to it, but I can't read another line. TJ has got to be kidding.
I'm
I smile weakly. Too hot to handle? I look at Mom. She looks nervous too. At least she's finally paying attention, even if it has nothing to do with something I said. I wonder if Mom actually talked to TJ about any of this beforehand or if she was so excited about Kaitlin Burke, music star, that she just wanted to get me in here? I glance at the door. What would happen if I bolted?
"Of course, we'd build up your album with tons of pre-publicity," TJ adds. "We rock at that. We'll leak the most offensive, or hottest, song first and see what the public thinks before we commit to a first single."
"Thanks for your time, TJ," Seth says, putting his hand on my shoulder and helping me stand. Mom quickly moves to Seth's side. "We'll think about it and call you."
I look at the clock. I still have fifteen minutes to get to the Grove. If Rodney takes the side streets I might make it on time. I sneak a peek at my Sidekick. I have no new messages. I hope Liz heard my voicemail.
"Whoa, whoa," TJ holds up his hands in surrender. "This offer is only good if I can hear her sing. Meg said she has a killer voice and I want to hear those pipes."
My chest begins to constrict. "Here? Now? I don't have anything prepared," I blurt out. I look at Seth and Mom. Mom is actually perspiring, something I've never seen happen to her before.
TJ hands me a sheet of paper. "That's okay. We already wrote you a song. Our mixing room is on this floor. I've got a group waiting to lay it down. Once we hear you sing it, we can move forward."
Okay, this is moving too fast for me. I glance down at the paper. The song is titled "Paparazzi Princess."
"TJ, I don't think Kaitlin is prepared to sing for you today," Mom tells him. "Maybe we could come back another time."
"Who comes to a record meeting about an album without being ready to sing?" TJ laughs. "You said she'd sing and I cleared my schedule so that she could do that."
The room is quiet. TJ has us. Seth pulls at the collar of his pressed white shirt, which he's wearing under a smart navy suit that I'm sure is Ralph Lauren. Mom fans herself with the sheet music.
"It's just . . . Kaitlin's vocal cords are kind of strained," Mom starts to say. Then she sees TJ's face. It could melt rubber. "But I guess she could do a quick take. We can't make time for a studio session. Kaitlin could sing a few bars for you right here if you want. Do you have a tape recorder?"
"Mom," I hiss.
"This will only take a few minutes," Mom says dismissively as TJ reaches into his desk and pulls out a tiny pocket recorder.
I read over the words to the song and am not sure if I should laugh or cry.
You think you know me,but can't you see?
I'm tired of being the princess. I don't want to win your heart,that was fine to start, but the truth is:
(Chorus)
This Daddy's girl is ready to fly,watch me, world, with a close eye.
I've got a new way of doing things.
This time, I'm the one pulling the strings.
Lights! Camera! Action!
You've never seen anything like the new me before.
And you probably never will again, you bores.
I'm a bad girl stuck in a good-girl role,but now that the show is over, I've got a new goal.
I want to be your paparazzi princess. I want to have your attention.
Keep your eye on my ascension.
When you're not looking, I'm a different girl.
I'm not Sam. I'm ready to take the bad new me out for a whirl.
DJ, hit it!
(Chorus)
This Daddy's girl is ready to fly,watch me, world, with a close eye.
I've got a new way of doing things.
This time, I'm the one pulling the strings.
Lights! Camera! Action!
You've never seen anything like the new me before.
And you probably never will again, you bores.
There's more to it, but I can't read another line. TJ has got to be kidding.
I'm
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