16284/Behind The Music - Finding The Band

Behind The Music - Finding The Band
Date of Scene:	19 May 2024
Location:	Shaw Studios, Lower East Side
Synopsis:	Lucifer swings by Shaw Studios to speak with Wade Shaw about potential acts to perform at a drag show.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Lucifer

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
While on the weekend, Saturday afternoons tend to be busy at Shaw Studios. The reasoning from this could likely be due to those still in the demo tape part of the music life. while they're making their sales pitch, there's still need to manage another job on top of it in the meantime.

Usually.

It is with that mindset that Wade Shaw is not in his office but instead on the main floor, checking up on the condition of session rooms that have recently been released from one booking and are in a state of transition for the next.

With round two down, Wade is making his way down the hallway of session rooms to head towards the grand staircase area of the main lobby.

Larry, the long term security guard is situated near the front desk at the main door. Ready to greet those who set foot into the building.

Lucifer has posed:
For some reason, Lucifer tends to dress 'down' when he's coming to visit Shaw Studios. Perhaps it's to make the execs feel like they have the upper hand, or perhaps he just doesn't give a shit and feels like casual will work just as well as business.

It's really anyones guess.

So when he walks into the studio's front door, jeans and a tee shirt that reads \<span class="bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr"\>God's Busy, Can I Help You?\</span\>, filles out with tennis shoes and he's even wearing thin rimmed sunglasses. He shifts to leeeeeaaaannnn against the counter and looks at Larry with - well - it's a lazy gaze even if one cannot really see it.

"Hello Larry. Is Wade in? I'd like to see him quick like if at all possible."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Being that Wade doesn't even dress up for working at Shaw Studios, Lucifer's in similar company. Granted the Tee is a high end brand, but it's still a tee.

Larry, having been here long enough nods to the somewhat familiar face. "I'll check. Mr. Morningstar." Larry assures before turning to see Wade coming into view. "Mr. Shaw, Mr. Morningstar is here to see you."

Wade comes to a halt, turning his head to see the waiting clubowner. "Ah, Mr. Morningstar." He greets, stepping over to greet the client. "I'm just about to head up to my office if you'd like someplace a little quieter."

Lucifer has posed:
"Ah. The man of the hour front and center. I do have impeccable timing." Lucifer offers with a smile as Wade comes to greet him. "Your office would be perfect, yes." This much before he shifts to stand up straight once more and then takes to following along with Wade once the man begins to lead. "So, how have you been? Seems like things are a bit busy for you today..." Commenting this much. Pleasentries before business are usually well received after all.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Hmm. One could even say the luck of the devil." Wade responds, giving a slight chuckle as he leads his guest up the wrap around stairs. While the flooring of the lobby below is impressive with a general logo of the studio being revolved around by the steps, it doesn't quite hold up to the holiday decor of the giant tree taking up that space.

Wade glances back, fingertips brushing along the railing as a bit of a guide while he listens to Lucifer's question. "That they are." Wade agrees, "We have a wide selection of clientele with different needs and we aim to meet them."

Upon reaching the top landing it's not too far to get to Wade's office.

By New York standards it is reasonably generous. A U-shaped desk arrangement encircles an executive chair with the only access point being to the left of the desk. A window behind the desk casts light inside to illuminate the lack of stray papers. Wade's laptop is locked in to the desk and off to the side is a framed photo of younger Wade with Nick, two other guys of about the same age and an elder man.

To continue the casual affair that Lucifer has opted in for today. The seating opposite of the desk and closest to the door is a futon. Set up in the seat position.

"Do make yourself comfortable, Mr. Morningstar." Wade comments to the club owner as the studio owner moves behind the desk, already setting up the laptop to come out of its sleep mode. "You may close the door if you prefer. Would you like a water?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer follows along, giving a nod to what Wade says and he can't help but offer. "Well, it's that aim to meet a need as to why I am here..." Just to, perhaps, give Wade an idea and such. When they get into the office, Lucifer moves to the futon, setting himself down. "A water would be great, thank you." Then he has to mention. "Also, you can drop the Mr. Morningstar stuff. I would like to think we're acquainted enough now you would feel comfortable calling me Lucifer. Formalities are...well. necessary to a point I suppose."

After he settles - and the door has also been shut as a note - he crosses one leg over the other. "So, as I said, I am hoping you can fill a need for me. Lux will be running a drag show next month in celebration of Pride. Donations and all that, of course. But I need to settle the entertainment bit. Course, I know we usually like to have dates...but I also do not know whom I'd like to book. I'm hoping for something...The only way I can think to describe it is edgy pop. Something fitting for a drag show. So I'm relying on both your expertise and your variety of artists to help fill that spot."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Wade nods as he spins in his chair, bending down slightly to open up a small fridge to pull out two cold bottles of water. As the fridge door paps shut Wade spins round, sliding up to the portion of the desk closest to Lucifer. Due to it still being a New York office, there is the added benefit of Wade not even having to get up in order to pass the water over to Lucifer. This could be one reason why the visiting chairs are Futons, allowing them the maximum space possible to lean back if they so choose.

Or it could be that Wade is a workaholic and crashes there at times rather than go back to his condo.

"Very well, Lucifer. " Wade responds, accepting the correction. "Although, I will likely defer to the formalities in use in the area I'm in to keep things a bit more uniform.. Unless you'd like me to instruct my staff to also call you Lucifer, of course."

Wade slides back into his chair, also crossing a leg as he folds his hands upon his lap, looking to Lucifer as the situation is spelled out.

"I do appreciate that you considered checking here first. Now before I start referencing, how flexible on the requirements are you? Does the band have to be categorized as pop. Or could it be a rock band that is capable of doing some pop style songs?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer takes the water as Wade hands it over and then he shrugs. "You mortals have this saying. Mister So-and-So is my father, call me by my first name. I cannot quite use that myself because my father certainly is not Mister Morningstar, but honestly, have everyone call me Lucifer. I really do not mind." Addressing that first above all else for the moment.

There's power in a name after all. Especially his. But that's his little secret.

"Well. You know I usually come to you to book Nick Drago for the shows, but I....may have convinced him to actually come to the show in drag. Don't worry. I -will- get you pictures." He laughs then. "Honestly, the vibe is just for people to have fun. Hang out, drink, watch some sexy men and handome women and just have a good time. Personally, I think rock has a nice handle on the queer community...many artists have stood for the rights of those oppressed and all that. So if you have a rock band that can play a little pop, but all in all just have a good fucking time. I'd love to hear them. And...anyone else you may think would fit the bill."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Wade's brow lifts to the mention of Nick being talked into dressing for the festivities before he cracks a smile, giving a nod to Lucifer's offer to take pictures. "Oh that is perfect." He chuckles. "It was going to happen sooner or later. But I had assumed it would have been for an acting role."

As Lucifer relaxes his requirements, Wade nods. "I can certainly get you a list of some bands that might fit the bill along with some sound samples. But there is one that immediately comes to mind who are incredibly popular, has a sizable fan base, and would likely be on board with something of this nature.

Wade leans back, "And they just finished another world tour which means they are way overdue to play a US venue."

With a creak of the chair, Wade leans forward, rolling towards his laptop to start typing. "Have you ever heard of a group called Five Times Novel?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer smiles and nods. "Course if he finds out I spilled the beans about it, it may not happen as hoped, so best we keep this as a little secret between you and I until I get the undeniable proof, yes?" Then he winks at the man, opens his water and takes a long drink from the bottle. "As for some names and samples, that would be great. I can listen to them with Nathaniel and get his opinion as well."

When Wade admits there is one band that comes to his mind, Lucifer tilts his head in a curious manner. Then he's being asked if he's heard of a group and this has him thinking a bit. "Heard of, yes. They're the ones who dress up as animals and no one ever truly knows who is in the band actually..." Offering up what he's heard and then he shrugs. "Cannot say I have heard their music. I tend to favor mostly classics myself. Old soul and all."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Wade nods. "They are pretty secretive about their members. Non-disclosure agreements aplenty." He pauses, "...Not for those booking them. They show up to performances already masked so you don't deal with that part."

There's a quick search before he pulls up a music video. This one appears to be of live footage from a concert held in Bushwick. The masked members, a Lion, a Tigress, a Wolf, an Owl, and a Cheshire Cat are on stage before loud cheers announce a sixth person not in costume joining them on stage. The familiar sounds of 'Be You' start to play with the lyrics being performed as a duet between the Tigress and Nick Drago.

"You also may have a bit of a performative ace up your sleeve if you end up going with them. If Nick is already going to be there and knows this is coming."

Lucifer has posed:
"Gotcha. Which is fine for me. And goes along with the theme anyway... cause you know... Kings and Queens don't use their real names. Stage names instead." So Lucifer is pretty happy with the idea so far. When Wade shows the music video, he's pretty much sold. "Here's my one tiny issue. I don't have a date set for this thing yet. But you've got me sold on Five Times Novel. Especially if we can coax Nick to join them on stage. In drag." Oh the ideas begin to FLOW in Lucifer's head.

"So I'll get the rest of my end settled out, and as soon as I know the date, you'll know and we can see about getting them booked. How much am I looking to spend for a four hour show?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Wade nods. "Be sure to get me the dates quickly. I don't manage the other band. But I have worked with their manager several times with coordinating things so we might have a short window to get this to work. I do know that they've been interested in playing with Nick again so that's another thing to use to our advantage."