I'm halting this disqualification, Christopher said. His voice was cold, controlled, deadly. Effective immediately. Victoria's smile faltered. Excuse me.
This is an internal competition matter. You're a guest judge. You don't have authority. I'm also a lawyer. Christopher pulled out his phone, opened a folder of documents his assistant had emailed him at 3:00 a.m.
Entertainment law, UCLA law school, member of the California Bar. Let me educate you on what you're attempting here. He turned to Brian, ignoring Victoria completely. Non-commercial cover songs posted by miners for practice purposes fall under fair use provisions. 17USC section 107.
No licensing required if no monetization occurred, which it didn't. Brian opened his mouth. Christopher cut him off. Applying adult contract law standards to a child aged 7 to 10, legally indefensible, ethically reprehensible. She was seven.
She couldn't legally consent to terms of service even if she'd tried. He pulled up another document. Selective enforcement. You didn't vet other contestants childhood social media. That's discriminatory practice.
Actionable under civil rights law. Victoria's face started going pale. Filing ethics complaints without proper investigation that specifically target a black contestant. Christopher's voice went quieter, more dangerous. That's grounds for federal discrimination lawsuit.
I will personally fund it. I have five attorneys on retainer and unlimited resources. He held up his phone, hit play on the recording. Victoria's voice filled the office. Rules are rules.
Madison has trained for 8 years. File the complaint. Victoria's face went white. You recorded? That's illegal.
California is a two-party consent state, but there's an exception for documenting illegal activity. Discrimination is illegal. Congratulations, you documented yourself. He turned back to Brian. I have my law firm on speed dial.
I'm prepared to file federal discrimination suit, contact every competition sponsor with this recording, and alert national media that this competition is targeting a 10-year-old black girl for practicing music online as a child. His eyes were ice. Your arts council funding gone by Monday. Your reputation destroyed. Every sponsor pulled this community center liable for millions in damages.
Tiana watched this stranger defend her, confusion clear on her small face. Who are you? Christopher looked at her. For one moment, his controlled facade cracked. Pain flashed across his face.
Someone who should have been here a long time ago. Before Tiana could ask what that meant, Christopher turned back to Brian. Withdraw the complaint now or I start making calls. The silence in the office was suffocating. Brian's hands shook as he clicked his mouse.
Complaint withdrawn. Contestant 32 is cleared to perform tonight. In writing, Brian typed frantically, printed, signed, handed the paper to Diane with trembling hands. I'm sorry, Ms. Turner.