Freelancer

Boston, Massachusetts

August 1996

! Why does Mike choose Option 1?

EXECUTE

Mike is a real. He sits at a desk in front of a computer in a large, tidy apartment. He looks at his watch, stands up, and walks outside.

A few minutes later, he enters a restaurant, where he greets a middle-aged man. They sit together, asking each other questions about their families, homes, health, and other variables that lack relevance.

“How’s the sewing thing?” the man asks. He is a real; his name is Sergio.

“Oh my God,” Mike says. “Stitch Designs by Twee. Never, ever bring me another craft-site gig, or anything with a client whose name sounds like a cartoon character. Please. She’s killing me.”

“Ha! It’s a ten-page e-commerce site. How can it be that bad?”

“You’ve never had to listen to a crafter walk you through your own wireframes. Good news is, she goes to bed early, and the Yankees are on a West Coast swing this week.”

“How can you work with baseball on?”

“How can you not?”

Sergio laughs, then sits up straighter. “So, Mike, I got a call from Loginix. I really gotta let them know something, one way or the other.”

Mike slumps, and he makes an undefinable sound. “Can you get me a few more days?”

Sergio smiles and exhales.

“I’m sorry,” Mike says. “I don’t want to make you look bad.”

“I don’t care about that; I care about you. And Amy and Caleb. These guys want you, but they’ve got a lot of other candidates waiting. A few more days tells them you aren’t into it. It’s as good as telling them no.”

Mike nods. A waiter comes, and they order.

“An A&R guy is coming to the show this weekend,” Mike says.

“The band? Come on, man. That’s a hobby; this is a career. Aren’t you tired of this freelance hopscotch?”

“I like floating. I don’t think I’d like punching a clock, wearing clothes I have to iron.”

“I’ve got it! I buy you a year’s worth of those new no-iron shirts, and you take this job!”

“Wearing wrinkle-free button-downs—”

“Amazing what they can do these days!”

“—to my corporate job on Wall Street.”

“The building is located on Wall Street, yes. But it’s by far the coolest company in a five-block radius.”

“And this place has by far the lowest per-square-foot rat count in the North End.”

“I can put up with a lot of shit from you, compadre. But you put down Mario’s, and it’s over.”

Mike laughs. Sergio waits. Mike shifts, then finally speaks again.

“I don’t know, man. I like doing my own thing. All that networking and team building …”

“But what—”

“But what about health insurance? What about stability? What about my family? Right?”

Sergio frowns. “Give me some credit. I want what’s best for Amy and Caleb, of course, but I’d never try to stick you in a job you’d hate. That’s no good for anybody.”

“I know. Just feels like once you walk through that big shiny door, there’s no getting out.”

“You’d be shocked at the number of corporate guys I’ve worked with that say the same thing about going out on their own. Taking a salaried position with benefits isn’t a life sentence—and, for that matter, it’s not some kind of prison. You see bosses and rules and you think ‘walls.’ But maybe you become the boss and start making rules. The right opportunity—and this one is pretty right—can open up all kinds of possibilities. That’s real freedom—and it comes with a 401(k).”

They eat for a while, Mike looking at his food, Sergio looking at Mike.

“I don’t want to pressure you into doing something you’ll regret,” Sergio says. “I value our friendship too much for that. But think ten years from now. What will you regret more: saying no to this or saying yes?”

Mike rubs his forehead. “Yeah.”

Sergio sits back in his chair. “Okay, look, I’ll call them this afternoon—”

“No.”

Sergio waits.

“No,” Mike says, looking up. “I’m in. Tell them I’m in.”

OUTPUT: MIKE CHOOSES OPTION 1.

END PROGRAM

 

! Too many characters.

EXECUTE

Mike is a real. He sits at a desk in front of a computer in a small, tidy apartment.

The telephone rings. He answers it.

“Mike Smith.”

“Mike, Sergio. What’s up?”

“Hey! Sorry, I owe you a call.”

“Ha! You owe me about three! How’s Amy?”

“Good, everybody’s good. Amy thinks I should take the job. What do you think?”

“Up to you, man! How’s the band?”

“We have a record guy coming to the show this weekend. I was thinking—”

“Excellent news! I’ll tell Loginix you need some more time.”

“Think they’ll mind?”

“Ha! Let me worry about that.”

“Okay, thanks. Oh, hey, Amy wanted me to ask you about the insurance package. Does it cover day care?”

“Wow! Something I should know?”

“She’s hoping to go back to work soon, and with Caleb—”

“Who?”

“Caleb. Once he’s ready for—”

“Mike, who the hell is Caleb?”

OUTPUT: ERROR ERROR ERROR ERROR

END PROGRAM

 

! Truncation required.

EXECUTE

Mike is a real. He sits at a desk in front of a computer in a small, untidy apartment.

The telephone rings. Mike puts down a glass pipe and answers it. His voice sounds tight and thick.

“Yeah.” He exhales a dense cloud.

“Mike? Sergio Morales.”

“Hi, Sergio. I’m sorry. I know—”

“I need to get back to Loginix. Have you made a decision?”

“My fiancée is asking about the insurance package—is day care covered?”

“Yes. Are you planning to start a family?”

“Not anytime soon, probably. But just for later on.”

“Your wife will be eligible for coverage once you’re married.”

“I see.

“Look, Sergio, thank you for this. It’s a great opportunity. Please say thanks to Loginix as well, but I’ve got a lot going here right now.”

“I understand.”

“Please keep me on your roster. I’m wrapping up this sewing thing in three weeks, and I’ll be ready for the next one.”

“Of course. I’ll make a note in your file to prioritize short-term opportunities. I will be in touch.”

OUTPUT: MIKE CHOOSES OPTION 2.

END PROGRAM