A Writer's Fairytale

James: Meeting the writer

I rushed down the street knowing that if I did not get there before Mr. Charles Wellesley would have a fit. I opened the restaurant door 4 minutes before we were supposed to have the meeting. I wiped the perspiration from my face. Hoping that Mr. Charles was not someone who wanted to be early for everything. I opened the door and began to look for Wellesley. I spotted Wellesley sitting in the corner of the restaurant far from anything.

I began walking toward Wellesley and then I saw him. He was seated across from Wellesley. I assumed it to be Mr. Charles, but if I had my opinion of who he was I would say that he was coming to rob the place. He wore a large black fedora that covered the features of his face. He wore a black trench coat that if I had to guess would fit an elephant. When I got closer, I realized that he was still wearing gloves. His black shoes were probably the only thing that fit him at all. The only color that was on this man was the bright red band that went a crossed the middle of his fedora. He got up when he saw me coming and stuck out his right hand. I shook it and I was still gripping the glove when he tried to pull away. The glove almost slipped off his hand, but he made the discovery before it could. He quickly shoved his hand back into his glove. I let go and he quickly fixed it back to the position it was.

I took a seat beside Wellesley and then the other man sat down. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Charles.” All I saw the figure do was move its head in acknowledgement. “Have you and Mr. Wellesley already talked about the arrangements?” Again the figure moved his head in acknowledgement. After I said this Mr. Wellesley handed me a typed piece of paper, I looked down at it and began to read it.

1.     I am sorry to inform you, but I do not wish to speak during this meeting. It is a personal preference and will be explained at a later date.

2.     If you accept me for the job no one can know of my identity.

3.     If you accept me for this job my price is 50,000 American Dollars. That price is nonnegotiable. This will include my airfare, food and living costs, during my stay, and any other cost that might arise while I am at the castle.

4.     I would like to have access to all parts of the castle. This is something we can negotiate at a later date, if there is somewhere that you feel should be off limits.

I thank you for your cooperation, and understanding of my slightly eccentric ways.  I am really hoping that we can work together and this can be enjoyable for all of us.

After I looked at all of them, I wasn’t sure what to say. Then I read through them again and I saw number 3. My grandfather had insisted that he take at least 500,000 American dollars. “I am sorry, but we must negotiate your number three claim.” He shook his head. “We need to negotiate it. My grandfather…”

Before I could finish the figure had scribbled some words into a notebook. No lower. It read.

“I understand that. I am supposed to go higher.”

Again the figure scribbled something on the notebook. Higher?

“Yes, we are supposed to offer you 500,000 American dollars.” Upon me saying this, the man clasped his hands to his mouth. He fell back in his chair and just sat there for a minute.

Then he began to scribble on the paper. That is way too much. There was a moment of silence and the figure began to write again Can we go lower?

That stunned me. I was sure when I walked into this room that I was going to have negotiate him down not, negotiate him up. “I am sorry, but my grandfather told me that you weren’t to take less than 500,000.”

The figure tapped his pen on the notepad. He then began to write something on the notepad, he wrote slowly and methodically. It seemed like he was thinking through every word. I will take 60,000 for myself. Put what you think I will need for my expenses in an account. That will include airfare, food, and living expenses and anything that might arise while I am over in your country. The rest you should donate to a charity of your choice that is based in your country.

“Is this guy serious?” was the first thought that jumped into my mind. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say. I had thought of a thousand different ways to talk this guy into going down to 500,000.  I had never once thought about what would happen if he didn’t want the money. What angle was this guy playing? There is no way that he just wanted to be kind, I just couldn’t figure out what he wanted. “All of your expenses are paid for; do you wish for me to put that money into the charity of my choosing?”

Yes.

There was a moment of silence then I said “We will be leaving from the airport at 4 tomorrow does that suit you, or would you like us to pick you up somewhere?”

I can meet you at the airport, but I have other things that I must attend to. I am sorry, but I must be going. Goodbye.

With that he got up and left. He did not wait for Wellesley and I to shake his hand. I saw something as the man walked away he was sporting an odd limp that was favoring his left side.

Wellesley turned to me “He is a bit eccentric sir, but he is very generous. Don’t you think so sir?”

I didn’t want to answer. I wasn’t sure that it was generosity that compelled him to do that, but maybe I would be proven wrong. “Wellesley, I think I will have lunch here alone.”  

“Alright, sir. Don’t forget that your grandfather wanted a full report, by before 3 in this time zone.”

“I can do that Wellesley. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye sir.” Wellesley spoke, bowed, and then left.  I looked down at my watch and saw that it was 11:50. If she was going to show up she would show up any minute. I sat there hoping, praying that she would come. Every time the door opened I felt myself glancing to the door, but each time it wasn’t her.