The Meeting

The Sony conference room felt smaller this morning, its expansive windows doing little to calm my racing mind. I'd arrived an hour early, setting up equipment with methodical precision. In my original timeline, this meeting had launched multiple careers. This time, I needed to catalyze that same magic while maintaining the illusion of fortunate timing.

Mathew Knowles arrived first, his presence commanding immediate attention. I remembered him from countless future interactions, but here he was just meeting a young producer from the Bronx. Behind him, Beyoncé entered with her creative team, her destined stardom evident even in this early stage.

"Marcus Johnson," Mitchell made the introductions. "The producer I was telling you about."

I maintained appropriate deference while setting up the first track. This composition had been crafted with surgical precision – incorporating elements that would define the next decade of R&B, but presented in their nascent form. The speakers came alive with a sound that bridged present and future.

Beyoncé's reaction was immediate, subtle but clear. Her fingers tapped against the conference table, catching rhythms that wouldn't become mainstream for years. In my previous timeline, she'd helped pioneer these sonic innovations. Now, she was discovering them ahead of schedule.

"The production is unique," Mathew noted, his analytical mind already processing possibilities. "Different from what's currently trending, but accessible. How did you develop this sound?"

"It's about evolution," I explained, carefully measuring my industry knowledge. "R&B is ready for the next step. Combining traditional soul elements with advanced production techniques, creating something familiar but revolutionary."

I played the second track, specifically designed for what I remembered of Beyoncé's vocal range and artistic vision. The bassline carried hints of future genres, while the melody suggested possibilities that wouldn't be fully realized until 2010.

"This is exactly what we've been looking for," Beyoncé spoke for the first time, her artist's intuition recognizing potential. "Something fresh, something that pushes boundaries without losing soul."

Mitchell smiled, knowing he'd facilitated something significant. In our original timeline, he'd passed away before seeing how far this collaboration would go. Another future I hoped to change.

"I'm developing new production techniques," I added, sharing simplified versions of concepts that would revolutionize music technology. "Ways to enhance vocal performance, create immersive soundscapes, push the boundaries of what's possible in the studio."

Mathew leaned forward, business acumen engaged. "You have your own facility?"

"Construction starts next week. State-of-the-art studio complex in the Bronx. We're incorporating technology that doesn't exist anywhere else."

The meeting continued as I played more tracks, each one carefully calibrated to suggest future possibilities while remaining grounded in present capabilities. Beyoncé's creative engagement grew with each composition, her artistic vision already adapting to sounds that wouldn't exist naturally for years.

"We need to lock this down," Mathew concluded, signaling his team. "Exclusive production agreement, priority studio access. Mitchell, get the paperwork started."

As contracts were discussed, I caught Beyoncé's thoughtful expression. In our original timeline, her artistic evolution had helped define an era. This time, we would accelerate that journey, pushing the boundaries of music even further.

The future was shifting again, realigning around decisions made in this sleek conference room. Another carefully calculated step toward a revolution only I could see coming.

Time to make history. Again. But better this time.