"The night has gone and taken its infraction!" Micky sang in Jynger's studio, "While once again such anxious men find questions but no answers."
In the booth, Jynger and Maggie listened with satisfied smiles on their faces. They had been waiting for the Monkees downstairs and when they had arrived, escorted them straight to the recording studio. Now, the songs the Monkees had played for them before and the new songs they had just written were being recorded; possibly for an album. It had taken several hours, but nobody complained.
The song Micky just finished, which he called `Daily, Nightly' was the last of the songs. The engineer, a mortal one this time, shut off the tape and nodded at the record exec. Anxiously, the four musicians looked up at Jynger. Smiling, Jynger and Maggie went into the studio.
"Gentlemen," Jynger began, "I would like to formally ask you to sign a recording deal with Ritzy Records."
Though they had prayed for this moment, the Monkees were still in shock. Finally, a record deal!
"Yes, that would be nice, Miss Ritz." Mike whispered.
Micky came down from behind his drum kit. "What are the terms, Ma'am?" He asked slowly.
"Let's go back to my office and I'll tell you the details." Jynger replied.
So the six of them filed back into the record exec's office and sat down. Maggie turned the lights down low so the lights of the city shown behind Jynger's desk, illuminating the office.
"What I'm offering is the same contract that I give to the other groups." Jynger said without preamble. "It's a two-album deal. What you did just now is just about enough for one of those albums."
"How much money would we get?" Davy asked.
Jynger gave the group a slow smile. This was always the best part.
"One million dollars." She said slowly. "Half a million for this album and another half million when you record the next album."
"Split four ways, that's one hundred twenty-five thousand apiece." Maggie said in the stunned silence.
"If, or I should say when," Jynger continued, "The albums sell over five hundred thousand copies, you will get ten percent of the profits."
"In return," Maggie said, "You will do promotion for the albums, such as photo shoots, interviews and most importantly, concerts."
"Lots of concerts?" Peter asked this time.
"You'll go on a North American Tour." Jynger answered, "If you prove popular, it can be expanded to a world tour."
The Monkees looked at each other, remembering what the guys from Warmonger said about their tour, all the parties and good times.
"Will we be allowed to name our albums?" Mike asked.
"If you want to." Maggie replied, "Though it seems most of our groups name their first album after themselves."
Jynger and Maggie stared at the group. They could tell the Monkees were getting very excited about all this. Now it was time for the kicker.
"Since I'm very busy running this company, I will assign you a business manager to handle all your affairs. He will take care of you and you must go along with whatever he tells you to do." Jynger said.
"You won't be in charge of us?" Micky asked.
"No, not directly, but your manager will keep me up to date on how you're doing." Jynger replied. "Don't worry gentlemen," She added smoothly, "Mr. Scratch has had years of experience in taking care of young people like yourselves. You will be in very good hands."
"So what do you say?" Maggie said after several long seconds.
The Monkees looked at each other. It was a very generous offer, but all of them-including Mike-wondered about this `business manger'.
"When do we meet our manager?" Mike asked.
"You can meet him tomorrow." Jynger replied. "I know he'll be pleased to meet you four."
"So, where do we sign?" Davy asked.
"Well, I have to instruct my lawyer to write up a contract in the morning." Jynger said with a smile, "It shouldn't take long. Come back here at noon tomorrow and you gentlemen can sign on the dotted line."
"Once you are signed up we can start making your tapes into albums." Maggie told them.
"How soon will that be?" Micky asked.
"Oh, right away!" Jynger laughed, "My whole base of operations is in this building. Down in the basement is where all Ritzy Records are pressed, and the album jackets are made."
"The art department and photography studio is just a few floors down from here." Maggie said, "So it will be easy to create your new album in one place."
"Wow, that's efficient." Davy said in admiration.
Jynger stood up, signaling the meeting was at an end. The Monkees did the same.
"Thank you so much, Miss Ritz." Peter said, shaking her hand. "This means so much to us."
"Yes, I think you gentlemen are in for a life-changing experience." Jynger replied.
The two women escorted the Monkees back down to the lobby and let them out. Then they watched as Mike pulled the Monkeemobile out onto the street and drive away. Maggie turned to her boss.
"Madam, why didn't you have them sign the contract now?" She asked, "The Master had it all drawn up already."
"They would've become too suspicious." Jynger replied, still watching the retreating Monkeemobile, "Like I said, these mortals have already shown they have some brains."
"But the potions we've been giving them are beginning to wear off." Maggie insisted.
Jynger turned to the other witch, eyes blazing. "Don't ever question how I do things...Magnolia." Jynger snarled, "After I become a witch queen I'll need a second in command for my coven-and perhaps it could be you."
"My apologies, Madam." Maggie said, her anger disappearing quickly.
"Now, let's go to our homes." Jynger said with a smug smile. "I think tomorrow will prove to be an very interesting day."
The two witches laughed and disappeared in a puff of smoke.