“But to loose a leg. You are kidding. How?”

“We would have a doctor cut it off in an operating room.”

“Wouldn’t that hurt?”

“Sure, but they would put you to sleep to do it.”

“I mean after the surgery.”

“It would for a while. They will give you pain meds like after any surgery.”

“I don’t know.”

“It is that, $50,000 a year or back to Minnesota.”

“Can I think about it? I really don’t know but I don’t want you to take this off the table like the other offer without having some time. I mean, having a leg cut off is a big decision. I mean a big one.”

“I have to be honest. If you leave here without a contract, the offer comes off the table and I look for someone else. I have to move on this and there are two others I have to consider.”

“But I need time to think. I know I have a reputation for being a problem but do you know how big a decision it is?”

“I am not sure I do but I know it is. I thought about what to do if you legitimately needed time and I have a possible solution. Let me suggest this. Sign the $50,000 contract and work it till you have time to think. If you sign the $50,000 contract tonight the other offer holds for ninety days. It wouldn’t be fair to expect you to decide that on the spot if you felt you needed a few days or even a few weeks. I am willing to hold for you to have some time to think.” He showed her the last page of the contract. It clearly stated that a better contract was available for ninety days. It was followed by another sentence that indicated he could withdraw that contract at any time after notifying her. “You have that time but I caution you, not one day more. I do reserve the right to withdraw that offer with you having one day notice at which time you must sign or refuse.”

She pulled over the sheet and signed it. “If this is the best I can get I guess I’ll not be able to swap the houses. I will have to find somewhere to move.”

Denise Chapter 01: Success in Hollywood

Denise Chapter 08: Fritz Offers a Contract

Denise Chapter 10: The Fritz Gives Denise an Ultimatum