A Private Meeting.

Transcript

Good evening. It's good to see you again. Can I take your coat? It'll be just here in the front closet.

Hopefully we can keep Carmine's hair off this time. Would you like something to drink? Dinner is a little bit more time left so we can sit and chat.

I decided to try making a lilac honey. Would you be open to trying something new? Yes.

Well, I suppose we do know how you feel about trying new things. Here. I recommend the slow, open, initial sip for the full experience.

Leavens from that market we saw last week. A bit of rosemary water, sparkling. And of course the honey.

Ordinarily I would, but this is an especially important evening. Big decisions, big feelings. Being present and aware is always best practices.

In my mind, anyway. And speaking of feelings, how have you been today? I didn't expect you to want to still meet this evening given your suddenly very dense schedule.

Did you manage a nap this afternoon? That's unfortunate, really. And of course the entire insipid affair could and probably should have been an email.

If you'd instead like to relax, we can table further discussion until the weekend. Oh? Please do tell.

Wow. You handled the entire presentation. Even the Q&A.

My goodness, you could almost bring a tear to my eye. You're usually such a shrinking violet, all darting eyes and sweaty palms. You even dressed like you wanted to be part of the paint job.

I noticed you've been phasing out precisely on schedule. The raspberry really does compliment your skin beautifully. An immediate thank you? Even some preening? Adorable.

From your head to your toes. Ah, and there's your little red face to match. Have another sip of your drink and then set the table while I gather dinner.

Ah yes, here we are. As promised, maple bourbon coffee roast chicken with caramel crackle served with a chili roasted garlic stem and, your current favorite, under the deep blue grit sea. Yes, because of the trailer.

Well, you seemed terribly excited when you saw it, so it's been on my mind lately. You're welcome. Yes, and add the leavened ginger jam and lavender jelly instead of the honey.

Thank you. You did very well. I can tell you've been practicing.

Your confidence has improved significantly. Now, take your place. You are so cute.

You stood in that conference room today and dazzled the entire board with your projections, your data, your insight. What do you think they'd say if they could see you now? Kneeling on a cushion with your head in my lap, deep breathing your way down from the high of setting my table.

Come to think of it, you looked like this when you signed our trial contract, too, but different. So much adrenaline, you shook like a leaf the entire signing. I'm sure you remember.

You almost cried when I wouldn't touch you. You looked You almost cried when I wouldn't touch you. You looked incredible, red and covered in sweat, barely coherent through your whining and panting, like a running pig.

Now look at you, watching, waiting perfectly, although you're still hopeless at hiding those little heaving breaths from me. Sip. Excellent.

Now, before we begin, I noticed your face while you were telling me about your proposal session today. I did. And what do you think I noticed? Yes, my little peach's tendency for self-doubt.

Exactly. So, your tax, two things you appreciate about your performance today. And? See that smile? Well done.

Wasn't it nice of me to give you another reason to feel good? Yes, it was. Give us a kiss and say thank you.

Now, when you're ready, you may stand up and take your seat. You think so? I couldn't get that article you showed me, the one about how the world is losing color out of my head, hence a rather technicolor spread this time around.

Yes, yes, the irony doesn't escape me, smart mouth. Baby steps, at least I'm wearing cream today. All right, now that we're all settled, let's begin.

Have you finished the dishes? Thank you. Now, if you're ready, I've prepared the contract and a super special dessert out on the patio.

Okay, as simple and effective as that strategy would be, dessert is always obligation-free. Consider it my own little selfish indulgence. A lavender tart with a roasted black pepper and clove biscoff crust.

Actually, I don't want to describe it too much. This is the first run, and I'd like an honest opinion. Here, I've made physical copies of the initial draft, so we can read it simultaneously.

Broad strokes, the contract covers domestic, professional, financial, and sexual expectations by category. Following the contract, the contract is subject to a review by the and closed with a sort of promissory note, I suppose you could say. From me to you.

Uh, well, if you'd like to include your own end note after negotiations, then we can reprint before the final signature. Do you have any initial questions for me? Me? Um, well, I've been anxious since we decided to renew our contract last week.

I know I am just so overwhelmingly cool that you couldn't tell, but, uh, I am fairly sure that the aggressive debate nerd outline of the situation would have tipped you off at some point. Of course I'd be nervous. Making this commitment isn't something I could possibly take lightly.

Unfortunately, some perspectives on the nature of this kind of dynamic are distasteful. The privilege to interact with you, to continue to take on and retain responsibility for your mind and your body is only mine if I've truly earned your trust. In order to earn your trust, I have to prove that I have the ability to see you as a person, a human being, in addition to being my intellectual property.

The purpose of meeting on equal footing isn't for me to use the power I already have to keep you here. It's to show you that I'm The purpose of meeting on equal footing isn't for me to use the power I already have to keep you here. It's for you to use the power I have to decide whether you want to continue trusting me to have it.

Yes, even and especially when you have questions. Just two people sharing dessert and working through the fine details together. Do you want to continue or do you need some time? Of course you are.

All right then, let's begin with some terms and definitions.