[Chapter 27: Making an Example Out of Someone]
After the meeting, as Orlando was leaving the Warner Records headquarters, he let out a sigh.
It really was true that the bottom line dictated the mindset, and profits drove decisions. After all, he only had a distribution deal with Warner. The label didn't have any ownership stake in the company.
If his image took a minor hit but it didn't impact record sales, Warner would find that completely acceptable.
He even suspected that Warner might have orchestrated this whole thing themselves. But, when he had scanned their minds just now using his telepathic ability, from what he could tell, that wasn't the case. Some Warner executives present might have been stirring the pot, at most. Their real intention was to send a clear warning -- to make him cling tightly to Warner's coattails.
But Orlando and Warner were still in their honeymoon phase. Warner wanted his singles to sell big and rake in some easy cash, so they hadn't truly pushed the matter.
This incident forced Orlando to reconsider many things -- like, if he wanted to establish a steady, long-lasting career, he needed to build his own team.
Frank and Seymour were great, but their expertise was limited to the music industry.
What about Daisy? She wasn't even back from Washington, D.C., and was about to enter politics. Plus, as a widow, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to be publicly associated with him. Not to mention the opinion of her late husband's family, the Cuomo family -- a prominent New York dynasty.
But everything had to be taken one step at a time.
Step one: Start with the low-hanging fruit.
---
"Dear Mr. Weinshall, I need to sue some people."
The next day, faced with Melvin Weinshall, the New York attorney Daisy had introduced, Orlando got straight to the point when he opened the door.
"Some people?" The lawyer raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Mr. Keller, who exactly are you planning to sue?"
Melvin Weinshall was a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. He looked to be in his early 40s -- a relatively young age for the field. But the fact that Daisy recommended him implied he was no ordinary lawyer.
He had a famous sister, married to Senator Charles Ellis Schumer of New York.
With the "My brother-in-law's a Senator" claim on his side, it was no surprise that Melvin had become a senior partner at a top law firm so quickly.
Orlando's other legal advisor, Kurt, was also present, though Kurt specialized more in business restructuring, taxation, and accounting.
Right now, Orlando needed a different kind of legal expertise, so Kurt mostly just watched while Orlando spoke with Weinshall.
"There's a stripper named Sarah, and then Al Platts -- the leader of a burglary gang in the Bronx. They've been spreading lies and smearing my name. I want to take legal action all the way -- ideally bankrupt them!"
The other rumors he could let slide -- they were just wild speculation. But these two were seriously crossing the line. There was no way he was going to let that go.
With money finally on his side, Orlando was determined to fight this out, even if it cost him hundreds of thousands in legal fees. He wanted people to know not to mess with him.
After a phone call with Daisy last night, Orlando understood that lawyers often specialized distinctly -- because the law was incredibly complicated. Lawsuits were rampant, with nearly 18 million civil cases filed annually.
The explosion of tort litigation led to cases like someone winning a million-dollar settlement over a coffee burn. The commercial nature of law firms only intensified this trend.
High consultation fees and contingency fee arrangements made it difficult for ordinary citizens and businesses alike.
This environment even birthed bizarre scenarios: like doctors ordering CT scans for mild headaches just to avoid malpractice claims, or refusing surgery on high-risk patients despite medical necessity.
Or companies avoiding liability by labeling electric irons "Do not use on worn clothing," ladders with "No climbing," and strollers with "Not for human transport."
These seemingly nonsensical warnings reflected the overly adversarial nature of the legal culture.
In such a complex legal landscape, unwritten lawyer rules naturally emerged.
For instance, Orlando now wanted to sue for defamation of character, a case largely unrelated to business matters. Kurt was less equipped for this kind of lawsuit and might complicate what was straightforward.
So, wanting to expand his network as well, Orlando's introduction to Melvin Weinshall led to their meeting today.
"All right, no problem, Mr. Keller."
After understanding Orlando's goals and learning that he only wanted to sue these two minor players, Weinshall gladly accepted the case. He chatted a bit with Kurt before both attorneys had to leave -- busy men with their own schedules.
---
Orlando then threw himself into recording his new single just after that, Just The Way You Are.
It took three days to finish the recording.
For these little lawsuits, having a high-powered lawyer like Melvin Weinshall on his side -- whose sister's husband was a senator -- was a huge advantage.
Just issuing a cease-and-desist letter caused Sarah, the stripper accused of lying, to panic and publicly apologize, even paying a small settlement.
Though the amount wasn't enough to cover Weinshall's fees, it was satisfying and served as a deterrent.
As for Al, the burglary ring boss, he was already facing criminal charges but had money to fight back.
Now with Weinshall in the picture, prison was unavoidable for him.
After all, when the brother-in-law of a senator fronted ten to fifteen thousand dollars in legal fees, people knew to take it seriously.
---
Once the new single was recorded, Warner Records informed Orlando that the director for the Old Town Road music video was in place.
The script had been written exactly to Orlando's specs, too.
As long as Orlando chose the cast -- or let Warner handle the casting -- the shoot for this hit single's video could start immediately.
---
"...Honey, it feels like all that time without action has only made you stronger! Just now I almost got electrocuted by you, and now I'm completely numb down there!"
New York, The Four Seasons Hotel, Manhattan.
Madonna, having just finished recording her new song Poker Face, lay breathlessly in Orlando's arms.
"Of course! I haven't had a woman for a while."
After a short separation that felt like a new honeymoon, and both being young and vigorous with a few days built up, Orlando was going all out today. Madonna, who had rested for a few days herself, admitted she couldn't keep up.
"Really?"
The pop queen in his arms looked up at him, her eyes moist and seductive.
"How about we get married? That way you can have me every day!"
*****
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