Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(89)
Here goes! Mark, I would like to sell you my store for indefinite use. No doubt you have insurance money for such a venture elsewhere; however, I believe the reason you haven’t bounced back so quickly is that it isn’t a buyer’s market right now. I can imagine that you have been scouting for vacant businesses all over Philadelphia to move into so as not to lose further revenue. I understand how hard it is to go a day without making money, and even though we started out on rather unsavory terms, I can empathize. I will give you my store at an excellent price. I won’t lie to you: it needs work. We recently had a basement flood, our heating unit is broken and needs to be replaced, the customer bathroom is a nightmare, and the foundation is questionable. And I admit that there is in fact a rodent problem, but I believe with five cats you can easily take care of it. Bert was helpful in that regard, but he is only one cat and a rather lazy one at that. I’m sure you know of the cosmetic problems with the building: the ruined hardwood flooring, the broken windows, and the chipped paint. You certainly wouldn’t be buying perfection. But if you are interested, are you free to meet over coffee, perhaps tomorrow, to work out the logistics?
For decades I fought a cold war with my father, trying to show him that I could excel in business far better than he, but I realize now that if one goes into business out of spite, insecurity, or a selfish drive to be admired, then it will end up in heartache, as it did for me. I had something to prove, Mark. And for many years I felt that I succeeded in that—that is, until you came along and showed me what it looks like to open a business out of love.
I must apologize for the way I behaved toward you this past year. I don’t understand why we, who have such similar appreciations, must be enemies. We should not be pointing cannons at each other across seascapes but in fact should be a fleet, sallying forth into the uncertain waters of the business world. So please, consider my offer. I feel fortunate that I can finally see the good your store has done for this community.
As a side note, I know you couldn’t have caused a sinkhole to take your store on purpose, but I must admit that in the darkest of times I have fantasized about setting my building on fire for insurance money. I imagine you get a nice chunk of change and that it is worth it if you don’t get caught!
Sincerely,
Fawn
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Sat, Aug 3, 2019 at 3:14 PM
To: Albert Collins
Subject: Mr. McEwan’s visit
Dear Mr. Collins,
I understand that the reading had to be postponed due to tragic events at the Grumpy Mug; however, I would like you to know that Mark Nilsen has agreed to buy my establishment and will move into my store very soon—in a matter of weeks, I believe. So I am writing to request that you please add the Grumpy Mug back onto Ian McEwan’s schedule. Mark does not know that I am writing this to you, for I believe he has given up hope that he could convince such a busy writer to change his schedule under such short notice, but I had to try.
To turn down this opportunity now would almost be adding insult to injury after Mark lost his store to the terrible sinkhole. I know that removing the Grumpy Mug from the tour list would not be an intentionally malicious move; however, I wouldn’t be able to see it any other way. Can we all agree that the poor man has lost enough as it is?
Please reconsider,
Fawn Birchill, Owner, The Curious Cat Book Emporium
From: Mark Nilsen
Sent: Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 8:37 AM
To: Fawn Birchill
Subject: You and Jack
Hi Fawn,
I am officially offering you the job of store manager, if you want it, when you return from your trip. We can work out the details if you are interested, when you get back. For now, don’t answer but think about it. There is no rush on the decision. We’d all be really happy to have you. We are also looking forward to fostering Bert while you’re away. He will be a sweet addition.
How would you feel about us hiring Jack as well? Would you recommend him? We’ll interview him, of course, but I want to get your thoughts on how he is as a worker and as a person.
Thanks so much,
Mark
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 2:12 PM
To: Mark Nilsen
Re: You and Jack
Mark,
Thank you very much for the offer. I’m not sure exactly how to respond, be it yes or no, so for now I will simply say thank you. If I return to this fine city, we can take it from there. Also, thanks ever so much for watching Bert while I am away. No doubt he will get along famously with the other five cats, as he is not territorial at all. In fact, he moves so little that sometimes customers confuse him for a throw pillow.
In answer to your second request, yes, it would mean a great deal if you would hire Jack. I am not sure what he will do once I close for good and hand the building over to you. There is a dedication and kindness to him that I cannot explain. It is as if he has no concept of how filthy rich he is, an excellent quality in an employee and in a person. He is very willing to do almost anything to help. He even went through the garbage for me once without hesitation—mind you, it was not to retrieve your posters!
Many thanks,
Fawn
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 8:00 PM
To: Gregory Harris
Subject: This is I
Dear Gregory,
I grew up in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, with a younger sister, an undynamic mother, and an overbearing father. We saw very little of the money my father made from his general store in Norristown and so led very simple, threadbare lives. Put to work constantly, we were forced to wake each morning before dawn and assist him before going to school. There, I would struggle to keep my eyes open throughout the day. Sleep became my favorite thing to do aside from pretending I was someone else, anywhere else. So I must confess that I am not who you think I am. All these years, since our very first exchange through letters, I have been untrue to you.