Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(52)
Best,
Fawn
From: Keith Vandetty
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 12:01 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: Job Posting
Hi Fawn,
Yeah, that all sounds good to me. I got no problem doing unethical things for profit, especially since I’ve been out of work for a year. Think you could up the rate a little? Like, how about a 10 percent cut instead of 5 percent?
Keith
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 1:34 PM
To: Keith Vandetty
Re: Job Posting
Dear Keith,
I assure you that this is not a scheme or a plot that would land either of us in trouble if caught. Look at it instead as a social experiment or a charitable opportunity for which you get paid.
Speaking of, I’m sorry but I cannot raise my pay. I am already taking a substantial blow just by hiring someone to deal with this. I won’t tell you the exact number of people who have already bought tickets, but let’s just say it’s well over a hundred. I’m sure that a clever and charitable man such as yourself can make this work.
Please consider,
Fawn
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 3:13 PM
To: Angela Washington
Re: Blog Post
Angela,
As you have not taken the initiative to write the blog entry as asked, I will write it for you. I apologize in advance if you do not like it, but take it as a lesson in business. It is always better to do your own work instead of lazily passing it off to others.
Best,
Fawn, Owner
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 3:20 PM
To: Staff
Subject: Sagging stair
Dear Staff,
The top stair is beginning to sag dangerously from its usual 90-degree angle. I fear the nails are losing their hold on the wood. Can someone please take care of this issue before a customer slips and goes barreling down the staircase?
Many thanks!
Fawn, Owner
P.S. Sam, please go out and buy more cat food for the strays at some point today. Please take it out of petty cash.
From: Tabitha Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 4:25 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Subject: Tried calling. Visit soon?
Dear Fawn,
When is your event? I would very much like to come and support! And how are you doing otherwise? I have been thinking of paying a visit lately if you have a little time to spare. It would be so nice to catch up.
There is not much new around here. The neighbor’s new mailbox has been stolen, and we got a new mailman. Or should I say mailperson? Also, I don’t know if you remember Mr. Federman, your fifth-grade math teacher, but he passed away yesterday.
Talk soon!
Love you,
Mother
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 5:05 PM
To: Tabitha Birchill
Re: Tried calling. Visit soon?
Dear Mother,
This is not the best of times to visit. I must admit I was a bit shocked by your offer, seeing how you are always “too busy,” but the timing is just awful. Thank you for asking about my event! I believe I finally have a few minutes to brief you on it! There will be celebrities gracing the many rooms of my shop, along with wall-to-wall customers and high-society socializing. I think if anything you would be bored and intimidated by the intellectual crowd. This will take place tomorrow evening and will close on Feb 9. You may ask how I plan to keep up my energy? Well, of course good sleep goes without saying! But I have the help of a very handsome new boyfriend whom I met at an Afghan restaurant. He is tall and wealthy, and after this we plan to take a trip to Italy, for I’ve never been. Then perhaps in April we can get together? I can take the train out, and we can go to that diner you like. Or if you’d like to come here, you can stay on the pullout futon in the living room (this time I promise to remember to vacuum up the cracker crumbs). Please feel free to inform Florence of the good news both business-wise and romantically, though if you choose to leave it out, I understand, as I know she usually takes other people’s good news rather poorly.
Much love,
Fawn
P.S. I rarely keep my phone on me, as you know. My new smartphone is only so that I can conveniently shoot emails off to my employees when necessary. You know as well as I how much I hate talking on the phone.
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 6:05 PM
To: Mark Nilsen
Subject: Invitation to Mark Twain Estate Event
Dear Mark,
I would like to cordially invite you to attend our two-day Mark Twain estate event that will be taking place on February 8 and 9. I have placed an official invite in your mailbox; however, I wanted to send you this email to ensure that you were aware of it.
Best wishes,
Fawn
From: Mark Nilsen
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 8:14 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Re: Invitation to Mark Twain Estate Event
Hi Fawn,
I appreciate the invite! It sounds like a lot of fun. Sadly our gala event happens to fall on February 8, and then on the ninth I made plans with my dad, so I won’t be able to make it.
I thought you were seeing the ballet on the eighth?
Thank you again!
Mark
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 10:20 PM