“Market positioning, M&A, things of that nature.”
“And what’s A&R?”
“Artists and repertoire. We find talent and bring them along.”
“Did you find Scott?”
“Nah, but I helped bring him along. I’ve known him for about ten years now.”
“You think he’s talented?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think he should be more famous?” Carver said. He seemed to be asking these questions out of pure curiosity, like a kid.
George hesitated. “You know, a lot of these guys don’t actually want to be famous,” he said. “And I think Scott’s probably one of them. Do I think there are a lot of people who would like his music if they heard it, and they just haven’t heard it? Absolutely. I think that’s true for a lot of artists. But he has a solid fanbase, a lot of friends in the industry, and some of the critics really like him. It’s not everybody who can actually make a living doing this stuff. He’s lucky.”
Carver nodded, then stared into the empty fireplace like he was thinking. “You like consulting?”
“I do. I like being a contractor. It pays a hell of a lot better than what I made before, and I do less work.” There was a pause, and George saw an opportunity to end his interrogation. “What doyoudo?”
Carver flashed him a canine smile. “I’m in private equity, I’m a managing director at Blackbrick.” George was taken aback by this, and Carver must have seen it on his face, because he added, “The enemy, I know, buying up your catalogs and shit.”
“Well,” George blustered, though he didn’t disagree.
“I want to leave, though, I’m trying to plan my exit,” Carver said, cracking a few of the knuckles on his left hand. “I’m just not sure what I want to do next.”
“Alright, okay. You interested in music?”
“Maybe. I don’t know, I’m just kinda shaking the bushes. You said you consult on M&A, right? You think you guys could use someone like me?”
“Oh, hell yeah,” George said. “I mean, I don’t think you’ll be hurting for a job no matter where you want to go.”
Carver nodded. “I’d like to help him out if I can,” he said in an unnecessary undertone, tipping his head in the direction of the door Scott had disappeared through. “I mean, joining the industry’s a little extreme, but I’d like to at least understand it better.”
This made George like him more, especially considering that based on what Scott had told him, Carver was the one more in need of help. “Well, if you want to know more, I like talking shop.”
“Appreciate it.”
“He mentioned you’re splitting up with your wife?” George said, knowing it was risky to pry but wanting to see how he reacted.
Carver inhaled, then shot him a brave smile. George noticed he had dark circles under his eyes. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve been divorced twice. It’s tough, I know, even when the love is gone.”
“Yeah. I did care about her.”
“It gets easier with time,” George said. “I know everyone says that, but it’s true.”
“How long, you think?”
“Are there kids in the picture?”
“Nah.”
“Alright, that helps. If it really was dead between you, and she doesn’t drag it out in court, say about six months to get out on the other side of it.”
Carver laughed. “Not too harsh a sentence.”
