SuperStar!

Bill Miller sat back in his conference room chair, his fingers lightly tapping on the edge of the table as he flipped through the thick contract Jessica had slid across to him. His sharp, practiced eyes skimmed through the pages, pausing here and there on key sections that stood out. The last few years of working with high-profile artists had made him adept at catching both the fine details and the potential pitfalls hidden in contracts. Jessica, on the other hand, sat opposite him with an air of confidence that only someone who had been through negotiations like this a hundred times could maintain.

She had been preparing for this meeting for weeks, assembling data, projections, and a strategy she believed would not only work but exceed expectations. The stakes were high—Ethan was no longer just a rising star; he was a sensation. His debut album was a hit, and his fanbase was growing at a staggering rate. Jessica was the mastermind behind orchestrating the next step in Ethan's career: his first major tour. But with big potential came equally big risks, and she was ready to defend her vision.

Bill broke the silence, his voice low but steady. "So," he said, tapping the contract again lightly, "how is it? Don't you like it?"

Jessica tilted her head, giving him a smile that was a mixture of curiosity and challenge. "You're not hesitating, are you?"

Bill raised an eyebrow but didn't answer immediately. He wasn't the type to give away his thoughts too easily. Instead, he paused, his eyes narrowing as they went over the ticket pricing structure once more. "I don't know, Jess. $150 for general admission, and $500 for VIP? Ethan's amazing, no doubt about it, but he's still a relatively new artist. Isn't that a bit steep for a first tour?"

Jessica was prepared for this objection. She had been anticipating this very question from the start. "We've thought about that," she said, her tone assured. "And that's why we're capping the venues at 20,000 seats. After analyzing Ethan's audience analytics, streaming numbers, and social media engagement, we're confident he can sell out at these prices. We've seen his fan engagement firsthand, and it's unprecedented. His followers are fiercely loyal, and they're hungry for this tour."

Bill leaned back in his chair, his fingers still lightly tapping the table as he mulled over her words. He'd been around long enough to know that fan loyalty was one thing, but ticket prices had a way of alienating people if they were too high. "I get the logic, Jess," he said slowly, "but fans are sensitive about pricing. Especially the younger ones. If this backfires, it could hurt his reputation. And that's something we can't afford."

Jessica leaned forward slightly, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "It's a calculated risk," she said confidently. "But don't forget about the other incentives. A $4 million signing bonus, 40% of ticket revenue, 50% of VIP revenue, and 55% of merchandise sales. That's a generous package, Bill. Ethan's got a lot of skin in the game, and this deal reflects his growing value."

Bill nodded, finally acknowledging the strength of Jessica's argument. The numbers were certainly impressive, and the overall package wasn't just about the ticket prices. But he wasn't ready to let go just yet. He tapped the contract again, considering the long-term implications. "I'll talk to Ethan about it. But it's still a big leap for a first-time tour, don't you think?"

Before Jessica could respond, the door to the conference room creaked open, and Ethan himself walked in, followed by his ever-present manager, Rebecca. Ethan's hair was disheveled, his shirt rumpled as if he had just come from a whirlwind of activity. He didn't look particularly tired, but there was an undeniable air of chaos about him. Rebecca, on the other hand, was every bit the picture of controlled exhaustion. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was a blend of sarcasm and fatigue.

Bill stood up, his concern apparent on his face. "Ethan, you okay?" he asked. "You look like you've been through a hurricane."

"I'm fine," Ethan replied with a shrug, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Just a little chaos outside the building. Fans showed up at the interview spot. Things got… intense."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "I'm also fine, by the way," she quipped, looking around the room with a pointed glare. "Thanks for asking."

Bill cracked a small smile. "Noted, Rebecca," he said, his tone light. "Glad you survived."

Ethan took a seat at the table, and without wasting time, he glanced at the papers Jessica had prepared. His mind, ever sharp, quickly took in the details of the tour proposal. As he read, he remained silent, flipping through the pages with careful attention. After a few moments, he looked up, his eyes intense as he set the contract down.

"The profit shares—40% of ticket sales, 50% of VIP, and 55% of merchandise—those are solid," Ethan said thoughtfully. "But…" he hesitated, his gaze fixed on the signing bonus. "I want to see those profit shares increased. Cut down my signing bonus."

Jessica blinked, clearly surprised by the request. "Cut the $4 million signing bonus? Ethan, that's a huge up-front guarantee. We've never done anything like this for a new artist."

Ethan leaned forward, his eyes locking with Jessica's. "I appreciate the bonus, Jess," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But this is about more than just the upfront money. I met fans today. They waited hours just to see me, to get a glimpse of what's coming. They're invested in this tour. They believe in me, and I believe in them. I'm not saying no to the bonus, but I want more of the back-end. That's where the real money is, and that's where I can make sure everyone involved is taken care of."

Bill, who had been quietly observing, exchanged a glance with Jessica. It was clear to him now that Ethan wasn't just a rising star; he was also becoming a shrewd businessman in the making. The way he understood the dynamics of the industry, the way he valued his fans—it was impressive. Jessica took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Alright," she said, her tone measured but respectful. "We'll adjust the numbers and send an updated version for you to review i would need to talk to the headquaters first tho."

Ethan smiled, his confidence evident in the way he leaned back in his chair. "Good. Let's make this tour unforgettable—for all of us."

Rebecca, who had been sitting quietly throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now that we've got that settled, can someone please get me coffee? Or is that too much to ask after surviving the mob of fans out there?"

The room erupted into laughter. It wasn't just the humor in Rebecca's words, but the tension that had built up earlier in the meeting was now completely gone. Everyone could see the excitement building for Ethan's upcoming tour, and despite the tough negotiations, the team was more unified than ever. Ethan's meteoric rise was only just beginning, and with Jessica's expertise, Bill's strategic input, and Ethan's own drive, this tour would undoubtedly be a defining moment in his career.

As the laughter subsided and the conversation shifted to the next steps in the planning process, it was clear that everyone in the room had one goal in mind: success. They were on the cusp of something big—something that would not only launch Ethan's career to new heights but also solidify his place as one of the industry's next big stars.