Topic: Advertising?

Anastas Iskandorj · Date: 2007-12-15 17:19 EST

Anastas Iskandorj shows up at the office of the radio himself. Recent events have apparently got him worried; he's flanked by two bodyguards but generally doesn't notice them. He looks, of course, like the consummate politician.

"Good afternoon. I'd like to speak to the boss about the possibility of buying some advertising space?"

Keaton · Date: 2007-12-16 04:10 EST

The man in the lobby - a big guy, awkwardly tall, with a mohawk that didn't dye blue very well - looks up from his work to stare blankly at Anastas. Drug dealer? he thinks at first, and shakes his head. No, not a dealer... Businessman? Well. Maybe. But who are those hired guns...? In spite of all these thoughts, he never says a word to Mr. Iskandorj, and instead hollers over his shoulder, "OI!"

No response.

"OI!"

"Calm the **** down, Taylor!" a voice finally replies from the back, with special emphasis on the f-dash-dash. "Be there in a mo'!" he adds. Taylor turns and shrugs at Anastas, and looks uncomfortably at the bodyguards.

Only when Keaton walks in does Taylor relax. He begins to mutter something, but Keaton waves him off, and the other leaves down the hallway. "How's it goin', man," and he puts a hand forward, coupled with a grin. Grinning's a pretty constant state for the musician. "I'm Keaton, founder and co-owner of Radio RhyDin..." Pause. "An' I reckonize you." The grin widens a touch. "You're Anastas Iskandorj. You gave that speech in the marketplace the other day."

The bodyguards don't seem to bother him. While Anastas has shown up to do business looking the part of the politician, Keaton looks the part of the musician and radio host - grey Ramones t-shirt, jeans, and Jesus sandals. Never mind winter weather.

Anastas Iskandorj · Date: 2007-12-16 17:30 EST

He takes the hand and smiles. "I'm doing well enough, all things considered. It's terrible about what's been happening recently, though." He dwindles off there before returning to the matter at hand, fresh-faced and strong.

"Your radio station is excellent. All that Celtic music has really grown on me, and it seems that you have a good reception among the public. So, I'd like to purchase some advertising space." He lights up a cigarette.

"I realize, of course, that nobody would like it if there was just back-to-back political advertising. So I want to get my foot in the door first, in case you decide later on to curtail it."

Keaton · Date: 2007-12-16 19:54 EST

He nods some as Anastas speaks, and thinks a few moments on it. The cigarette makes him think of his own pack, and he lights one, too.

"Yeah, agreed. If we bombard the listeners, they'll drown it out. Now, if I'm lucky, as many as three 'a you guys will come to me for ads..." He pauses and puffs.

"What do you think 'a every six hours? And if you like the Celtic music so much, maybe we can stick one of your ads in there. Who knows." Bigger grin. "Maybe fellow Celtic fans have similar political passions."

Anastas Iskandorj · Date: 2007-12-16 22:36 EST

"I wasn't thinking of anything long. Just a brief, 30-second presentation; we're recording it right now. It depends on how often you take commercial breaks. How often would you be willing to play it? I'd like once an hour . . ."

Keaton · Date: 2007-12-17 00:15 EST

"Once an hour?" His business sense says yes, but it takes a while for him to listen to it. At last, he nods, and gestures to the hallway. "Once an hour is fine. C'mon - we'll talk silver in my office an' work out signin' things..."

Heading that way to do the part of business he hates the most - the numbers.

Anastas Iskandorj · Date: 2007-12-18 13:45 EST

"Good. I'm glad you see things my way. Like I said, I wanted to get my foot in the door first." He offers the man a cigarette.

"So what kind of price do you think is best? I assure you, we're prepared to be very competetive."

Keaton · Date: 2007-12-19 01:55 EST

He leads him into the office and shuts the door. Much debating, haggling, long division, scratching of heads, and signatures ensue.

* * *

Keaton leaves the office with Anastas, smoking his third cigarette, grinning and offering his hand for a shake. "Pleasure doing business with you - be in touch. And remember, you need any help with the recording, any of the sound stuff, you just let me know."