Achieving Goals-Chapter 24
Logan, Rory, and Gigi entered the restaurant. The hostess led them to their table. Mr. Coswell introduced his wife, Susan, to Rory, Logan, and Gigi. The conversation was casual while they snacked on appetizers. Rory brought Gigi's coloring books and crayons with them. She was coloring.
"Are you ready to order?" the server asked. Logan ordered for himself, Rory and Gigi. then the Coswells ordered.
"Can we talk business for a few minutes?" Mr. Coswell asked after they finished eating and was waiting for dessert. Rory nodded.
"I have a proposal for you." He told Rory as he handed her a contract. She glanced down at it, then handed it to Logan.
"Why don't you sum it up for me?" She asked. He explained that it was a contract for the rest of the summer. She would be a writer for The Sun. While they were talking Logan was looking over the contract.
"This would pin me down to working for you only?" Rory asked. He nodded his head. Rory sat back in her chair. She looked at Logan, who was still reading the contract. She wanted to continue to write articles about her travels. She was thinking about starting a blog. She had not had a chance to talk with Logan about it, but one of her future classmates suggested it. She also wanted to do some traveling before they had to go back to the States.
"Is there any wiggle room?" She asked. Mr. Coswell looked at her confused. "I'm asked if there is room for negotiation?"
"I believe the amount of money we are offering is more than fair." He told her. She smiled at him. Mr. Coswell was looking at Logan. He was hoping Logan would jump in and tell her it was a good contract. This was a young journalist with very few bylines in the real world. Yes, Richard sent him some articles from Rory's portfolio. She did excellent work.
"You misunderstand. I am not concerned with the money right now." She told him. He nodded for her to continue.
"I would like to freelance for you. When you have something for me, contact me and I will let you know if I am interested." She told him. Logan had put the contract back on the table. He was grinning.
"That is not how it works," Mr. Coswell told her. She nodded.
"I see," she told him. "Then I appreciated the offer, but at this time I will have to turn it down," Rory told him. Before he could say anything, the waiter brought their dessert. She and Logan were sharing, while Gigi had her own bowl of ice cream. Gigi was talking with Mrs. Coswell. Rory and Logan would join in the conversation every so often. Mr. Coswell had said little since Rory turned down the contract.
When they got ready to go, Rory excused herself to go to the Ladies Room, taking Gigi with her. Mrs. Coswell joined her.
"I don't understand." Mr. Coswell told Logan. Logan turned to look at him. Logan gave him a look as if he was confused. Logan knew exactly what he was talking about.
"That was a standard contract. The amount of money is fair, well, it is probably better than fair for a newly graduated journalist." Mr. Coswell told Logan.
"Didn't she tell you the money was not the problem?" Logan asked.
"Yes, if it is not the money, what is it?" he asked Logan. Logan turned to look at him.
"First off, these are questions you should ask Rory. Second, she does not appreciate you setting this meeting up with me instead of her." Logan told him.
"Is that why she turned me down?" He asked. Logan shrugged his shoulders.
"Like I said. Ask her." Logan turned to step outside to wait for Rory and the car. Mr. Coswell followed. When Rory. Gigi and Mrs. Coswell joined them, Mr. Coswell turned to Rory.
"Could you tell me why you turned me down?" He asked. She smiled at him.
"You did not want to negotiate. I am not interested in being tied down this summer. I have just finished 4 years of college. I am already taking classes toward my master in journalism." Rory told him.
She turned to Logan and took his arm and leaned into him. He had Gigi on his hip and was talking to her about the zoo and what animals she liked best. They were talking about it when Mr. Coswell interrupted.
"I will adjust the contract and have it sent to you." He told her. She turned and smiled at him.
"I will be in contact," Rory told him. Their car was here. Logan was holding the door open for her. She turned to tell Mrs. Coswell how nice it was to meet her.