Chuck Tyler had been a valuable contact early on. His management of the female duo Tigress had paid off big not just for him, but us as well. Wherever they went, we were there as photographers for their website. Our work was seen all over the internet, it got us jobs on films, at festivals, TV appearances, you name it. So anytime we got a call from him, it was always something big.
We'd just gotten back from the job on the movie "Sunshine Dreamer" when Chuck called, asking us to a morning meeting at his office.
"Why would he have us go to his place? That's so unlike him." I asked Chris as we headed there in his Porsche.
"I think he just wants to show he's a big shot, that's all." Chris said as he navigated the morning traffic.
Chuck's office certainly had a great address; the Capitol Records Tower on Hollywood and Vine.
We arrived at his office near the top floor and his secretary escorted us in. The office was massive, with an early 60's look that seemed straight out of that TV series "Mad Men". There was a cushy seating area with plasma TV, a full bar, even a vintage Wurlitzer jukebox. Chuck was behind the curved desk talking on the phone. He waved us in and we sat down.
"There's my guys!" he said with gusto, shaking our hands. "Well, whaddaya think of this place, great huh?" he said stretching his arms out like an emperor surveying his kingdom.
"It's you alright, Chuck." said Chris.
"I love it, this used to be Sinatra's office." He said as he poured coffee for us.
Chris and I turned and looked at each other with a "yeah, right!" expression.
"Uh, Frank junior or Frank senior?" Chris said leaning over to my side and whispering.
"It's gotta be Junior, Senior hated the guys at Capitol." I said.
"I heard that!" Chuck said with his back turned. "But I still love you two, you know that."
We took our coffees and Chuck pulled out a file.
"OK, let's get down to business." Chuck said as he clapped his hands. "Have you heard about the Triple Threat tour?" he said.
We both shook our heads.
"Good, because it hasn't been announced yet. But it will be this time next week." Chuck pulled out 2 sheets of paper that appeared to be itineraries.
"It's a 22 city tour with Beyonce', Rhianna and Tigress. That's where the name comes from. And you guys will do the photos. Not just for Tigress, but Rhianna has asked for you guys too. You apparently worked with her once?"
"Well, yeah, down in Palm Springs, we did some shots for her album." I said. "I'm surprised she remembered us."
I certainly remembered her!
"Well, the question here is, are you guys interested in the gig?" Chuck asked.
"Would we be doing all three performers?" I asked.
"Not Beyonce', she has her own team, she let the others choose who they wanted. I think that's a fair trade." Chuck said.
"How long is this tour again?" Chris asked as he looked at the itinerary.
"22 cities, multiple night gigs in New York, Chicago and LA. The tour starts in Houston at the Toyota Center. That was Beyonce's idea, it's her hometown and all." Chuck replied.
"Oh, I almost forgot, this might make your decision a little easier. Look at page 2" He said.
We turned to page 2 and saw what our salary would be for the tour. All I could see was a dollar sign and a whole lot of zeroes. Chris and I looked at each other, I could see the dollar signs spinning in his eyes already.
"I think you just got yourself a photo team." Chris said.
"That's my guys!" Chuck said enthusiastically. "OK, Tigress is doing their rehearsals on Friday, I'll see you there."
We stood, shook hands again and walked out of the office as Chuck was back working the phones. He was never one to waste time, he made his deals fast then moved on to the next one.
As we walked down the elegant hallway loaded with gold records and photos, Chris was whistling "We're in the Money", I joined him and we made for an odd sight walking past the secretaries to the elevators. We were still whistling as we got back to Chris' Porsche. Then we got in and looked around the garage.
Then we started screaming.
"Can you believe this?" Chris yelled.
"Un-freakin'-real!!!" I screamed.
We'd really hit the big time.
The tour would begin in Houston at the Toyota Center in just a few weeks time. Mercedes-Benz would be sponsoring the entire tour. So we knew everything would be first-class all the way. I was a little intrigued at the idea that Rhianna had chosen us to do photos, she remembered me? It had been awhile since our Palm Springs encounter, did I make that much of an impression on her?
At the end of the week, Tigress went through their rehearsals and we prepared ourselves for the press conference announcing the tour.
The conference was a big affair at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was chaotic as you'd expect, flashbulbs everywhere, reporters shouting questions, TV crews jockeying for position. We had the advantage of an all-access pass that got us up on the stage near the girls. At one point I turned and bumped into an enormous figure who sternly asked to see my pass. When it met with his satisfaction, he turned to another gentleman behind him and said "He's cool, boss." The other man nodded and I went about my business. It was only later I found out it was Beyonce's "husband" Jay-Z whom I'd encountered. Beyonce' was resplendent in a gold mini-dress. Rhianna wore a black leather Mercedes racing jacket and blue jeans. "Candy" and "Mandy" wore identical football jerseys with "Triple Threat 08" on the front and their names on the back. All were enthusiastic about the tour and one another. When the conference ended, Beyonce' was quickly hustled out of the ballroom by her people. Chuck brought Candy and Mandy over with Rhianna and were gushing with compliments about us. Rhianna coolly smiled.
"Hi, good to see you guys again, it's been a long time." She said in an easy, but shy tone of voice.
"Let's get a quick photo of the three of you." Chuck quickly suggested.
I could see her eyes were fixed on me more than anyone else as we snapped some photos of the trio. As Chuck escorted the girls out, I ran into Amy Adamson from Island Records. She'd been our contact when we'd previously worked together in Palm Springs.
"Hey! Been awhile, pal! I'm glad to see you guys will be on the tour." She said happily.
"Oh, you bet! We're very happy." I said.
"Well, here's something even better. Rhianna wants to meet you at her place tonight." She said with a smile.
"Me? What for?" I asked, stunned.
"You need to ask? She asked for you personally. That should tell you something." Amy replied. "Here's the address, see you at 7 tonight." She handed me a business card as she walked away.
Now Chris came over to me.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"Uh, I have a meeting with Rhianna tonight." I said slowly.
"Business or pleasure?"
"I'm not sure." I said, still confused by this whole scenario.
"Hey, go for it, man. If it's business, you know all the details. I trust you. I've gotta get things setup for when we're gone anyway. If it's pleasure..." He smiled. "Well, have fun 'Hollywood'." He said with a chuckle as he went out to his truck.
As 7:00 drew closer, I was a nervous wreck. Anytime I meet someone new a wave of terror often comes over me.
I looked at the card Amy gave me with the address of Rhianna's house.
"2112 Bravo Drive." I read aloud. It suddenly hit me where the house was, just down the road from Paris Hilton's place, lovely, I thought.
As I drove slowly down the secluded road, I passed by Paris' house, it seemed to be dark. That's good, I thought.
When I got to 2112, it was a dark home with few lights on.
I buzzed the gate and hesitantly gave my name.
The gate buzzed open and I drove up to the front. It was somewhat similar to Paris' home in design. My car pulled into the circular gravel driveway. But there was no one to meet me. I got out and looked around, it was eerily quiet. Only a few lights were on outside. I walked up to the front door and it creaked open, the inside was just as dim.
