Two minutes is all it takes...chapter one

The MusicIzLife Record Studio was one of the best in town, where all the pros and wannabes came to drop their sounds, with hopes that they may make it big some day, not knowing what was going to be the next day. Oh yes! I remember it so clearly, it was 2020 and the clouds were raining. I had lost my job that day as well, my wife had left me for a fella named Fell. I wouldn't blame her, I was down right broke, nothing to eat from the stink of my wallet you could choke. Before I continue nonstop to diss myself, let it be known that my friends call me Elf. This is my story as funny as it seems, it's exactly as the words on the theme. Now where were we? Yes! back to business, my life was sitting way off the verge of finesse. I had been trying to back on track, after my sorry ass was kicked out and then sacked. There I stood in front of the record studio, with the papers holding lyrics I still don't really know. Been doing a lot of narrations in this story, haven't I? I guess this is where I call it quits, remove my tie and let you decide what message to keep in your mind.

Leo dashed into the premises of the studio through the main gate in a hurry, he had missed his appointment given to him by the producer's assistant all because of Lagos traffic and a little day drinking. The producer stood  in front of him fitting the key into the door trying to lock up. Leo ran straight for him and went down to his knees startling him in the process.

"Sir please don't lock up yet" Leo begged.

The producer held his chest and said, "Young man! What is it? Do you want to give me a heart attack?".

"I'm sorry sir" Leo apologized standing up from his position on the floor.

"Okay, so what do you want?" he asked resetting his glasses with one hand. He was in his early forties but his well kept beard would make you think he was still in his thirties. He also had on a short sleeved T-shirt, a pair of black colored joggers and some snickers.

Leo reached into his one handed bag and brought out the form he had filled and an envelope as well, "Sir, this is the copy of the form I filled last week which I gave to your assistant, she called me some hours ago to come for my recording but I was held up by traffic".

"Really?" he said scratching his head.

"Yes sir" Leo said.

"Okay, so what is that?" he asked taking the form and the envelope.

"That's the remaining balance for the song I want to record Sir" Leo said dusting his knee caps. He had on a worn out polo, a three-quarter short and a pair of old Nike shoes which had been misspelt as NIKA.

"Oh! You are the Mr Ezechukwu Favour Leonard she was talking about before she left" he said reading the details of the form.

"Yes sir, Elf for short" Leo said.

"I can see that as well, it's also your stage name?" he asked taking his eyes from the paper.

"Yes it is" Leo said nodding his head.

"Alright son,  you would have to come back tomorrow because you see, I'm right in the middle of closing up" the producer said waving the keys in his hand.

Leo returns back to his knees and began to plead once more, "Sir please let me tell you the truth, the money I spent on my transport to this place was borrowed from a friend and I don't even have enough to take me back home. So please sir don't let this sacrifice go in vain".

The producer stared at Leo as if examining Leo's very essence with his bare eyes. He took a look at his watch and saw that he still had a few minutes till his usual lock down period, he turned his glance to Leo and asked, "Would five minutes be enough for you?".

Leo's eyes widened with joy, he nodded his head and said, "I wouldn't spend more than four".

"Okay! But let's be snappy about it, I have a wife who doesn't take tardiness from her husband" he said returning to the door, he began undoing the locks.

"Thank you Sir, you wouldn't regret this, I promise" Leo said standing to his feet.

"I hope not" the producer said pushing open the glass doors, he switched on the lights and made his way to the production room. "You go in through that door", he pointed in the direction of the door next to him as he took his seat and turned on the equipments.