RBCT Chapter 84 Negotiations Failed
Chapter 84 Negotiations Failed
Chapter 84 Negotiations Failed
Zeke's goal was clear: Victor, the black singer, was the lead singer of the Villagers and the lyricist for most of the band's songs. He was instrumental in the Villagers' huge success, yet Jacques Morali had his credit stolen.
More importantly, Victor is the highest-ranking and most influential person in the band, and also the only straight man in the entire band, making him relatively the easiest to win over.
He strode forward and blocked Victor Willis's path as he was about to enter the office area.
"Victor, let's talk in private."
The two had met before at a dance studio in New York, so they weren't complete strangers.
Zik tilted his head toward the unused storage room at the end of the corridor. Victor paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he followed Zik into the small storage room.
This storage room is filled with discarded posters, unused props, and scattered office supplies. The space is cramped and dark, and the air is slightly stuffy, but it is just right to isolate all outside noise and prying eyes.
Zik got straight to the point, without any beating around the bush or probing.
"Victor, my purpose in seeking you out is simple." He looked directly into Victor's eyes, his tone sincere. "You and I both know that the arrangement, production, and stage choreography of 'YMCA' from beginning to end were all my work. Jacques got away with it, taking all the credits and the vast majority of the profits, and he's using your hard work to exploit everyone."
"You have the original contract with Jacques Company in your hands. As long as you are willing to stand up, produce the contract as evidence, cooperate with us to testify in court, and prove that you are just employees who were exploited and oppressed throughout the process, we can directly overturn this unequal and bloody contract."
"If we win the case, not only will I be able to get back my producer share, but all of you will be able to get back the artist royalties that are rightfully yours and completely get rid of your current situation."
Victor looked troubled and sighed softly, "Zick, Man, I know everything. We all know that this song that changed our lives was the opportunity you gave us, and we are grateful to you from the bottom of our hearts."
"But I'm sorry, I can't participate in your plans."
Zik frowned slightly and pressed on in a deep voice, "Why? Are you really willing to only take that meager weekly wage? Just watch Jacques rake in money like crazy using your work and your popularity, exploiting you ruthlessly?"
“He’s not just exploiting us,” Victor shook his head slightly. “He also gives us extra bonuses, and Jacques is working on an album for my wife, Felicia, Zeke. It’s a disco concept album about the legendary singer Josephine Baker. If I dared to cause trouble, all of that would be gone.”
Qi Ke instantly understood and sighed inwardly.
Jacques Morali was truly too cunning. He accurately grasped the weakness of the only straight man in the team, using his family's business as a bargaining chip, which directly blocked all possibilities of Victor's resistance.
Using both soft and hard tactics, combining kindness and severity, they have a keen understanding of people's hearts.
"What about the others?" he asked, still unwilling to give up. "You just need to persuade them to come forward and testify; you yourself don't need to stand up and get involved."
"As long as you can overturn this unequal contract, you will still be the biggest beneficiary, enjoying the benefits without bearing any risk. Didn't they protest before because of unfair treatment? This is your best chance to turn the tables."
“They’re even less likely to,” Victor said with a wry smile. “Zick, you don’t understand their situation. They’re all real gynecologists who struggled to make it in this industry before. Jacques is one of the few bosses who doesn’t discriminate, is willing to hire them generously, give them a platform, and help them become famous.”
"To them, Jacques was not an exploiter, but a benefactor who gave them a job, fame, and a future."
They'd be more than grateful; how could they possibly sue Jacques? Once they're kicked out of the group, given the mainstream music scene's prejudice against homosexuals, they'd have no chance of finding another label and would simply disappear completely.
Zick was speechless. Reality was truly ironic: the British music scene was rife with gay people, controlling half of the industry; the disco culture itself was the most important cultural outlet for the gay community.
However, looking at the mainstream European and American record industry as a whole, there is still extreme avoidance and rejection of openly gay artists.
Indeed, as Victor said, there are almost no openly gay mainstream recording artists on the market now.
No mainstream record company would accept a group of transvestite homosexuals like Jacques and Casablanca, even if their record sales reached platinum, they would still find it difficult to be accepted and tolerated by the mainstream orthodox circles.
Casablanca is Jacques's collaborator, and they are unlikely to turn against Jacques for the sake of an artist who was kicked out of the group.
This group of people may seem to have become incredibly popular, but in reality, they have no way out from the beginning and can only be manipulated at will.
"I really can't do anything about it." Victor's voice was full of exhaustion, and his face was dark. "Zek, thank you for being willing to fight for us, but I really can't take the risk. I have to go. Good luck."
After saying that, Victor turned and left, his back view resolute yet helpless.
Zik watched his retreating figure and sighed deeply.
If the parties involved are unwilling to break free from their shackles and dare not resist injustice, no matter how much effort outsiders put into persuading them or paving the way for them, it will all be in vain.
He walked out of the dimly lit storage room, went straight to Larry's office, picked up the phone, and dialed Herbert's number.
"Negotiations failed. They refused to become co-defendants in the lawsuit or testify. We'll have to settle. Herbert, get ready to send a lawyer's letter."
Herbert on the other end of the phone agreed, and the two quickly finalized the follow-up procedures.
Larry, who was casually playing with a small medicine bottle in his hand, smiled and looked up at Zeke after hearing the gist of the conversation: "It didn't work out? I knew this would be the result."
Zik scratched his head and shrugged helplessly: "There's nothing I can do. Everyone's tied down. I can only try my best to protect my own share of the profits."
Larry put down the medicine bottle in his hand, then suddenly put his arm around Zeke's shoulder mysteriously, lowered his voice, and said with a smile in his eyes, "Don't be discouraged, I have some good news for you."
"The music video for 'Sweet Dreams,' which you produced, became a huge hit after it aired in Europe. The company has already decided to increase the investment in it on American TV stations. Although it has only been scheduled for non-prime time slots for the time being, the coverage and exposure are more than enough."
"What kind of good news is this? Larry, the European hit returning to the US is just PolyGram's established promotional strategy. I guessed it long ago." Zeke was puzzled.
"Hehe, that's not the point." Larry's smile grew even more sly, his voice lowering even further. "The good news is that Jacques is envious. He wants the company to provide resources from the film and television department to shoot a music video for 'YMCA' as well. If all goes well, they'll start filming when they return to New York this time."
"I won't give him the authorization. He hasn't paid me a single penny of royalties yet. Let him dream on." Zike curled his lip, not wanting to let that bastard Jacques have his way.
In the American music industry, a song actually involves two completely separate copyrights.
The rights of control vary. Owning the copyright to lyrics and music allows control over the rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and synchronize (Sync License) songs.
Owning the recording copyright grants control over the rights to use, reproduce, and distribute the master tapes.
Specifically regarding the song "YMCA," the recording copyright belongs to Jacques' production company, but the copyright for the lyrics and music still belongs to Zicques. If Jacques wants to follow suit and make a similar film, he must obtain simultaneous permission from Zicques.
This license is used to "sync" music to visuals, such as GG, movies, and TV series, and MⅣ is naturally included.
But Larry grinned wickedly, "I suggest you give it to him. Not only will you make a fortune, but you'll also dig a huge pit for him. He doesn't know you're planning to get him yet, does he?"
"You mean..." Zike pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up, "They'll most likely use the same stage choreography as before for MIV. Once M is officially broadcast, this released footage will become solid evidence that Jacques completely plagiarized my idea?"
"That's right!" Larry snapped his fingers decisively, beaming. "Did you keep written records when you were directing Amanda and the others in rehearsals?"
"Yes! I remember Holly made dance rehearsal notes!" Zeke instantly shook off his previous gloom and was overjoyed. "I'll contact Holly right away to confirm! Thanks, Larry!"
He turned to leave, but Larry stopped him with a raised hand.
"Don't rush off." Larry blinked. "You don't have any other plans for tonight, do you?"
"What can I possibly do?" Zeke replied casually. "I go to school on time every day, and now I'm just waiting for the Spiders to come back from Europe to start their promotional tour in the US. Judy and her mom went to audition at CBS, and I plan to stay home and read."
Judy felt that her singing skills and condition were almost ready, so she and Evelyn set off early in the morning for the CBS headquarters in New York to see if they could land a record deal.
As for Casablanca, Zeke did show the company Judy's demo, but her singing talent wasn't outstanding, and she didn't have any independent songwriting ability.
Casablanca has no interest in writing songs and creating works specifically for her unless Zeke is willing to continue doing so.
Furthermore, the copyright to the old French song "Au Champs—Elysées" that Judy has been practicing is also held by CBS. To officially release it, she can only try to secure a contract with CBS.
"That's perfect," Larry nodded. "Come to the company again at six o'clock this afternoon. I have something to tell you."
"Larry, what can't we talk about now?" Zeke asked, increasingly puzzled.
"I have to go to a meeting right away." Larry glanced at his watch, then hurriedly stood up. "Don't be late, just be here at six o'clock sharp."