18 February 2006 "Hello, Jack? This is Nick. We need to have another talk, and I have a couple of ideas to put to you. When could we get together?"
"How about tonight?"
"Okay. I was thinking about the public area in the Galt Library, downtown, say seven o'clock?"
"Good enough. Just the two of us?"
"That's fine, yes. See you there."
Nicholas has brought no tape recorder, but he has a file folder in a smooth leather case. Less a reporter, and more a businessman.
"Jack, I've re-read your paper, and have gone over it with some of my friends. I understand it a bit better now, and I have some idea as to its value and importance.
Now, your financial situation is definitely serious, and if you don't mind, could you tell me what is happening there?"
"Okay, Nick. You've obviously accessed our credit report, so you know we have unsecured liabilities, mostly credit cards, totaling about $115,000. We've made no payments on these for about six months. We've held our own as to utility bills, so the shop continues to function, but, since we cannot afford a lawyer, a lot of my time has been going into court actions and negotiations. Three court cases are now in progress. There will be more.
I've developed a statement of defense, one form of it for out of court, another for in court, and in that I make a settlement proposal, the main crux of which is that we offer to make a hundred monthly payments on a reduced principal with no interest accruing.
One account where the requested amount was $14,500 settled for $12,000 on those terms.
But what bearing does that tale of woe have on what you and I are doing here?"
"Well, well. So you're a lawyer too, now? Robert Canti was right: you're an amazing man!"
"Mr Canti? The president of Braduran? How did you, and why did you, get to speak with him?"
"Just a bit of background, Jack. I take my responsibilities seriously, as you can see."
"Yes. But again, how does this relate? And no, I have no technical qualification as a lawyer."
"Or a boom man, an edgerman, a sawyer, or a philosophy instructor."
"My word, you have been busy."
"You bet. My friends and I have taken a personal interest and we hope to help you. Okay. To wit and to woo, let's see what to do. I warned you not to expect financial reward for this paper, but after a lot of discussion, we've come up with a proposition.
It goes like this. I should become your agent.
For two reasons: One, you are apparently not a good promoter, not a good salesman. There's no other explanation for the fact that your digitizing work and your embroidery output is acknowledged as excellent by everyone in the industry familiar with your work, on the one hand, and your financial situation, on the other.
