Page 274 of Edge of Eternity (The Century 3)

"Go round to his office."

Dave looked at Walli. "You know, you're not as dumb as you sound." Dave began to feel better. "That's exactly what I'm going to do."

The downhearted feeling left him as he stepped outside. Something about the streets of London always cheered him. This was one of the world's great cities: anything could happen.

Denmark Street was less than a mile away. Dave was there in fifteen minutes. He went up the stairs to the office of Classic Records. "Eric is out," Cherry said.

"Are you sure?" said Dave. Feeling bold, he opened Eric's door.

Eric was there, behind the desk. He looked a bit fool

ish, having been caught out in deceit. Then his expression changed to anger and he said: "What do you want?"

Dave did not say anything immediately. His father sometimes said: "Just because someone asks you a question, don't think you have to answer. I've learned that in politics." Dave just stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

If he remained standing, he thought, it would look as if he expected to be told to leave at any moment. So he sat on the chair in front of Eric's desk and crossed his legs.

Then he said: "Why are you avoiding me?"

"I've been busy, you arrogant little sod. What is it?"

"Oh, all kinds of things," Dave said expansively. "What's happening to 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'? What are we doing in the New Year? What news from America?"

"Nothing, nothing, and nothing," said Eric. "Satisfied?"

"Why would I be satisfied with that?"

"Look." Eric put his hand in his pocket and took out a roll of bills. "Here's twenty quid. That's what you've got coming for 'Shake, Rattle and Roll.'" He threw four five-pound notes on the desk. "Now are you satisfied?"

"I'd like to see the figures."

Eric laughed. "The figures? Who do you think you are?"

"I'm your client, and you're my manager."

"Manager? There's nothing to manage, you twerp. You were a one-hit wonder. We have them all the time in our business. You had a stroke of luck, Hank Remington gave you a song, but you never had real talent. It's over, forget it, go back to school."

"I can't go back to school."

"Why ever not? What are you, sixteen, seventeen?"

"I failed every exam I ever took."

"Then get a job."

"Plum Nellie is going to be one of the most successful acts in the world, and I'm going to be a musician for the rest of my life."

"Keep dreaming, son."

"I will." Dave stood up. He was about to leave when he thought of a snag. He had signed a contract with Eric. If the group really did do well, Eric might claim a percentage. He said: "So, Eric, you're not Plum Nellie's manager anymore, is that what you're telling me?"

"Hallelujah! He's got the message at last."

"I'll take back that contract, then."

Eric suddenly looked suspicious. "What? Why?"

"The contract we signed, the day we recorded 'Love Is It.' You don't want to keep it, do you?"

---