"Wow! Nice crib!" exclaimed Harry as he and Aaron entered
the loft.
"Well, it isn't
mine. I'm staying with Mr. Andre Esposito until I turn 18," said
Aaron as he booted up the desktop computer where the game code was
stored.
Harry marveled at
the size, complexity and graphic detail of the game. "Damn, this
is good!" he gasped.
"That maybe so,
but I'm fairly certain that Valve Software will disagree with you,"
said Aaron.
"Well, we can
sanitize it for Steam and then add all the extreme stuff as part of
an externally provided DLC," said Harry.
"Very well,
I'll rework the game into a sanitized base game and an extreme DLC.
You provide the artwork, I'll get Mr. Esposito to draw up a
contract," he said.
"Whoa, whoa,
whoa a contract?" asked Harry, as Andre entered the loft.
"Yes a
contract. I will not be blind sided again," said Aaron.
"And what are
you gentlemen discussing?" asked Andre looking between Aaron and
Harry.
"Mr. Harry
Smith here, has offered his services to create artwork for my game on
the condition that we sell it, and he gets a portion of the profits.
I want a contract in place that he will share responsibility if the
sale of this game results in any punitive action," said Aaron.
"I see,"
said Andre. He smiled at Harry. "Don't think too badly of Aaron,
he's become quite cynical about the goodness in peoples hearts. I'll
make sure the contract is fair to you both," he assured Harry.
"Well OK,"
said Harry nervously.
"All right, how
do you want to split this?" asked Andre as they sat in his home
office.
"Register the
company as Sirius Software. I want full control and veto power over
any and all decisions," said Aaron.
"Wait just a
minute! I thought we were going to be partners!" said Harry.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"This game is
mine. I have invested too many emotions and sacrificed too much for
it already. I like your artwork Harry, but those are my terms. Take
it or leave it," said Aaron, his tone firm and commanding.
"Damn dude, you
don't pull any punches," said Harry. He took a deep breath.
"All right, but
I want to be a free agent, not some employee that you can fire.
Deal?" he asked, glad that his father had taught him the
importance of negotiating deals.
"Deal,"
said Aaron.
Andre nodded
seriously. "Very well, I shall draw up the articles of
incorporation and the commission contract," he told them.
"And Harry, one
more thing. Any art that you make for the game stays here. I don't
want anything leaking out of this house," said Aaron, his blue
eyes boring into Harry's hazel eyes.
"Fine,"
gulped Harry.
----
"Damn you work
fast!" exclaimed Harry, his hands flying across the drawing
tablet as he drew character art for the game.
"It's my normal
pace," said Aaron, taking a sip of his coffee.
"I think I
might need some help with the artwork and music," sighed Harry,
looking at the amount of work he had to do.
"Careful with
who you ask for help," warned Aaron.
"I know, I
know. I'll bring in only people I trust," said Harry.
----
"Aaron, this is
James Smith from electrical engineering, and Mario Gonzales from
nuclear engineering," said Harry as he introduced his two
friends to Aaron in the college cafeteria.
Aaron inclined his
head slightly in greeting.
"Harry has told
me about the game you are making. I'm a sucker for male power fantasy
games, so I would like to help out with the music," said James.
"Has Harry told
you about the contract?" asked Aaron.
"Yes, he has. I
have no problems with it, just give me a commission," said
James.
"Very well, I
will draw up a contract for you as well," said Aaron.
"Um, I don't
need paying, but I'd like help with my studies. Harry says you're a
whiz kid," said Mario.
"Nuclear
physics isn't my wheelhouse, but I don't mind taking a crack at it,"
replied Aaron.
"Great! I could
use the help," said Mario, his face lighting up with a smile.
"All right,
let's all meet at my place after class," said Aaron.
----
"OK, here are
the contracts," said Aaron, handing out the contracts to James
and Mario.
"Sirius
Software, looks pretty official," said James, looking over the
contract.
"Yeah, I had
Mr. Esposito draw it up," said Aaron.
"Yeah, well,
bottom line is I make you music, and you help me pass this nuclear
engineering course," said Mario, signing the contract.
Aaron raised an
eyebrow. "A bit eager to sign, aren't you?" he asked.
"Hey, not all
of us are blessed with genius level IQs. I need all the help I can
get," said Mario, shrugging.
"Fine, I don't
mind helping you out, but I'm not doing everything, OK? It's you who
still has to pass the exams," said Aaron.
"Yeah, yeah, I
know, I just need a little help with the assignments and projects.
Get off my case already," said Mario, rolling his eyes.
"All right,"
shrugged Aaron.
