So I handed in the video and then talked to Jackie about a W-9 form, that which she says I should send over immediately. For the amount of payment, I put in 3/4 of the amount they had promised me. Being as how the shooting and editing were 1/2, and I didn't edit it. I hand it in. Then, three weeks later, in my inbox, I get this.
Hello Penny,
I’m writing in reference to the invoice you turned in to Bee Magazine recently.
As I’m sure you’ve heard we’ve recently received a new CEO and as part of his company restructuring he has implemented new budgets company-wide and has taken them retro to all outstanding invoices.
What this means is we will be paying you $50 for the above invoice as part of the budget cuts. The payment should be going out by the end of the week. My apologies.
Thank you for understanding,
Magdalena Richards
I'm burning mad. I'm steaming mad. Just like that monster made of gum on Ghostwriter. And my response to them was to them, but it was also to me--a reminder so I wouldn't forget this, ever.
♦
1 Month Later.
It's more than one month later and I still haven't received the check. It kind of has me wishing I was the Rock in the WWE. Or Jackie Chan. I have lost too much over nothing. And I wanted something back. Just to say this experience didn't have power over everything.
So I called Jake.
Ring, ring. Ring. Ring. Riiiinnnggg.
Jake-You have reached the residence formerly known as Jake. (*Sings*) Just a vacancy! Jake don't live here anymore. Leave a message after the tone...beep.
Me-Jake, it's Penny. I have to talk to you. Please answer the...Jake was that you?
Jake-Uh...no...beep.
Me-Jake you're a poopy head.
Jake-Oh, Penny, hi how are ...
Me-Hold the plastic, I want paper.
Jake-Wow, ok then, how about you made me feel like shit and I decided to party hard with my party all the time, party all the time party all the tiimmmmee friends and leave you to deal with your problem.
Me-Did you think about what you did?
Jake-I tried to help you.
Me-You offered to carry my burden and then you dropped it on my head. You always do that. That time I was late for my cousins wedding, you said you would call a car and then....
Jake-I fell asleep.
Me-Okay. That time I was having trouble in Pre-Calculus you said you have some geniuses to tutor me but they ended up being...
Jake-Hmm...not the most responsible.
Me-Let's just say they couldn't say my name right the day before the test. Every time they opened a book they dropped it. And then repeated the cycle. With those wretched posters of Bob Marley all over their apartment. They don't even know any of his lyrics, except for "excuse me while I light my spliff."
Jake-But they aced calculus. And you ended up passing because after their high wore off they schooled you. Okay Penny. I can't stand listening to you ramble. You make me sound like a horrible friend. What about that time I drove your brother to the hospital when he accidentally ingested gluten. Or the time I was your shoulder to cry on when everyone else was busy and your grandpa was losing strength? Do you know I pray for you every night, Penny?
Me-Where did that come from?
Jake-I pray for you every night, Penny. I pray that you excel in your magazine gig, I pray that you are safe, and most of all I pray that you will stay my friend.
Me-....
Jake-Hello?
Me-I am here Jake.
Jake-It may seem like I am a fuck up because I party hard and it seems like I just don't care, and I offer stuff I can't deliver, but really I just hope you see that you are my friend and I care. Almost a twin.
Me-Fraternal.
Jake-Fraternal. I want to see you succeed. I wish I could help you more when I get excited for you but if that does nothing for you, I will hold back and let you take the lead for once. Apparently you can handle it without me.
Me-Thank you, Jake. I appreciate that you really care. Just don't sell stuff you don't have Jake. And we're cool.
Jake-We're cool?
Me-We're cool.
Jake-Speaking of selling stuff you don't have.. how did it go?
Me- Funny. The video wasn't edited, I handed it in with the write-up, they posted it, got someone else to edit it, it looks like crap by the way, but they cut my check, and I have yet to see it.
Jake-Cut your check like cut one out to give to you-right?
Me-Buddy. I wish. 50%.
Jake-Really, and you're not going to do anything about that?
Me-You mean like go up there?
Jake-Yes.
Me-No.
Jake-Why?
Me-Um...
Jake-You don't want to be the trampled pacifist.
Me-Do you know the next World War can obliterate the entire human race?
Jake-You gotta be kidding me.
Me-I did happen to slip in that I do not live for that limbo of not knowing what is going to happen and just "going with the flow," You have a business to run, and I have college to fund. That I think it's best for both of us if we both go forward with a contract, and save that drama for another magazine...perhaps one without integrity...
Jake-College? Integrity? What? What did they say to that?
Me-Some sorry there's nothing we can do crap. Then I never heard from them again.
Jake-Wow, that's a big step, even for you. I mean that may mean you kind of burned a bridge, I know you hate doing that.
Me-There was no bridge, though.
Jake-Kind of. Hey, do you want to go out to eat with me, Gouda, and Allison tomorrow at 6?
Me-I'm there, only I'm broke.
Jake-When I'm broke I order salad and say I'm trying to slim down, especially in my calves.
Me-Are you serious?
Jake-Penny, girl, you don't even know.
Me- HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA. I missed my court jester.
Jake-I'll see you tomorrow.
♦
Allison-So who are you taking to prom, Penny?
Gouda-And I hope it doesn't start with G...
Me-Gouda, thanks for asking in that funny way you ask, but you look in the mirror more than I do, and not even to look at yourself, but to watch yourself count your money. So heck no. I'm taking Kenny.
Gouda-The "Oil Leak" Kenny?
Me-I bet your eyes are green because you eat a lot of vegetables.
Allison- You two. Look, there's Jake. Let's get a seat.
We're waiting for desserts, and Allison wanted to know the scoop.
Allison-So, they didn't pay you?
Me-No.Gouda-And, how does that make you feel?
Me-Must be the same way it feels to have a 1 inch...
Gouda-Hey, watch yourself.
Jake-They didn't pay her, after they cut her check.
Me-Cutting my check for not editing the video I get. Cutting the check further by another 33.3%...Then by 100%
Allison-So what are you going to do?
Me-It's over.
They look at me, not believing that at all.
Allison-It's not over.Gouda-You'll be thinking about it.
Me-I said what I had to say to them.
Jake-You know you had more to say.
Allison-Say it to me! What would you say? I'm Jackie.
Allison flips her hair and acts disgusted.
Allison-"So, we cut your check. I sincerely apologize, I really really do, really, I wish there was something I can do..."
Me-I want to speak to the head.
Jake-Ok, I'm the head, what do you want to say?
I take a piece of paper out of my pocket.
Gouda-Oh boy.
Me-Here's the juice. "I have a problem with seeing more magazines expecting more out of writers, and paying them next to nothing for it. I implore of you as a new CEO not to use your writers to your advantage if you don't have their best interests in mind. It's that sick unwritten language that writers are disposable that makes magazine decision makers unphased about dropping writers who ask for what they are worth. It's no wonder you don't offer contracts. Why should anyone be accountable for anything, especially with a writer that will freely offer up their rights. When you are losing money trying to appease celebrities and fill your pages, trying to get your online content, writers provide you with an expendable quantity that you can tap into when needed, drain that well, and find another well. What you offer them is a temporary emotional.."
Gouda-Wow...
Me-"emotional fulfillment. Oh--I'm doing what I dreamed! I finally have my chance. Yet this is short lived. The better I get, and the longer I do this, the more I realize what I am worth, and that you wouldn't trust just anyone in front of your biggest stars. That feeling of being wanted waned when I realized I was a commodity. A priceless commodity. And meeting these great powerful people isn't really enough when they aren't really willing to help you. I'm a fashionable person..shut up Gouda, but I get a fever when I see people in positions of editorial power bragging about their assets, when I am not even breaking even. If you are cutting your writer's paychecks, how can your employees afford these 700 dollar shoes? Are they getting pay-cuts too? I have to wonder. If you decide to continue on, I do hope you give your writers options. You need writers--for they are the backbone of the content which is Bee Magazine. They are a part of the root. If you decide to uproot, that's your business. But then, fill the masthead with copies of your name."
They sat for a few seconds, speechless.
Jake-So how do you really feel?
Me-Ha. It's not like I don't like doing this. I do. But I feel like the glitz and the glam fades, and everyone looks like mush, and standards of excitement keep getting higher and higher, but most of all, I just want to be able to know, moving on, that I don't have to major in Forensic Science or become a surgeon. I want to be able to do what I love to do and still get paid for it.
Allison-Why do you think you won't be able to make a living doing this?
Me-It is as if magazines don't want to pay their writers. It is like--if I have to go through this every time...
Allison-So money is your story.
Me-WHAT?
Jake-Money is you issue. This all centers around you not having enough money.
Me-Wait. What are you guys doing.
They start reaching in their pockets.
Me-Guys you really don't have to...I don't want your money.
Allison-You need to learn something.
She hands me $50.
Jake-Yeah, I kind of think it's time you learn something too.
He hands me $100.
Allison- Gouda?
Jake- Come on, Gouda.
Gouda-I don't know what in the hell we are handing this chick money for.
Me-Hi, nice to meet you, my name is Penny. What's yours?
Gouda-My name is Goud...Holy shit.
Allison- Shall I recall, Gouda, that you owe me gas money for the last 6 times you borrowed my car and returned it on E. And you threw my moms vintage Louboutin pumps over a boat.
Gouda reaches in his pocket for his black clip and pulls out $200.
Gouda-"I love you. Here is some money. I love you. Here is some money." That's all these broads want to hear. He extends his hand over the table.
Me-What type of girl are you looking for?
Gouda-I don't know. Someone who will get on their hands and knees and serve me. In return I'll feed her, clothe her, shelter her....
Me-Shall I get you a dachshund for your birthday?
Allison-Hilarious. Back to you Penny.
Me-$350 dollars. Why?
Jake-Yeah. We just want to show you that money isn't everything.
Me-Tell that to the starving kids in Africa.
Jake-The ones that are happy to be alive? That danced around me when I volunteered there?"
Me-Is this money supposed to make me forget that I have been jipped? The principle of the fact that I have been jipped?
Jake-No it's to shift your focus. Yes you were jipped but out of $75, $100. You need to examine why you were so excited over the $100 in the first place, which is not really a lot of money given where we live."
Allison-Yeah. Tell me a good reason why you think you are poor?
Me-I don't think I am poor.
Allison-You act poor.
Me- I just feel like if I don't play my cards right with these writing gigs...
Allison--You don't really have to finish your fear, I just want to tell you that number 1, if applicable, which I think not, that's really far ahead, and number two, You live in fucking LA.
Jake-The property value of your house is...your family is part of the richest 5% of the universe.
Allison-Not to mention anytime you are "broke" as you say, someone gives you money. When is the last time you went 5 days without nothing to eat?
Me-I seriously have never been that hungry.
Allison-This fear you have you've never lived. Gouda. GOUDA! Care to add?
Gouda-I love you Penny.
Me-Shut up Gouda.
He pauses. Gouda-To be jipped from a magazine company that....
Me-That what?
Gouda--That probably doesn't have money to pay you to begin with. Didn't they shut down a few years back?
Me-Yeah they had a relaunch in 2001.
Gouda-That should tell you something. You say you've never been hungry. You've also never been in debt.
Me-Okay...
Gouda-You have less liabilities as a person than they do as a business.
Me-Okay...
Gouda-Do your research on these companies. They'll take you but the real question is, do you want to work for them? Get a mag that's banking in mula.
Me-Way to hold back then let the river flow, Gouda.
Gouda- Look, writing is what you love. But most magazine writing-- it doesn't bring in the bucks. So think outside the box and start selling your writing. Or write stories. Or make money off of your blog. You have to think of ideas and then use the opportunities you have been given to capitalize on those ideas. You will be fine. You're smart, talented, pretty, relentless, picky, annoying, and you always correct my grammar. That will get you far.
Me-If anyone else said that....
Allison-On behalf of Penny, thanks Gouda. Penny, you know you can keep the money right?
Me- Really?
Jake-Oh goodness. Doi!
Me-You guys really don't have to.
Gouda-I'll take the money back any second. My dachshund can use the pampering.
Me- I'll save the poor dachshund and all dogs everywhere. I'll take the money. Thank you guys.
Gouda-The three golden words.
Me-Suck one Gouda.
♦
The next Monday, walking the halls of school during midterm exams, I run into my friend Hef. He's a genius that could study anything in the world and excel at it, but he chose cooking. He takes classes at night at the local college.
Hef-So let me get this straight. You tried to get everyone you knew to edit it, couldn't, tried it yourself, couldn't, handed it in, someone else edited it, they cut your paycheck and blamed it on the budget, then they didn't send you a check?
Me-Yes, Hef.
Hef-...
Me-I really should have gotten a contract looking back in retrospect. Like before I did anything, asked them if they offered contracts.
Hef-Why would you ask them if they offered contracts. Where is your contract?
Me-What?
Hef-Aren't you an independent contractor?
Me-What?
Hef- An independent contractor. You work for yourself. So you write a contract yourself and then you present it to other companies, like, "Here is my contract. Change it, take it or leave it."
Me-...Hef, you are a fricken genius.
Hef-Why do you ...
Me...Gotta go.
So I should be thinking about prom and my dress but I'm home, not doing my homework, writing my independent contract during Spring Break. I just took a break to paint my nails in pastels when I got a phone call I would never forget.
Me-Good Morning!
Gov-Hello, is this Penny?
Me-Yes, hi, who is this?
Gov-This is Ronald Faison, of Magamen Music.
Me- AKA the Governor of Music Journalism as we know it?
Gov-Call me Ronald. And yes- you can be excited.
Me-I'll wait until I hear the reason why you are calling.
Gov-Well, Penny, we've been following you. From you're blog, "The Penny Harvest" to your writing with Halapeno Magazine and even your writing with Bee Magazine.
Me-Wow. That's great.
Gov-We think you are an amazing writer, a tip-top reporter, and a keen editor at that.
Me-Thank you. Thank you!
Gov-We think that you would be a terrific asset to our team.
Me-What?
Gov-You possess all of the qualities that we are looking for--honest, intelligent, with an anal sense of copy-editing agility, who doesn't give up...
Me-Wow..
Gov-Those are just some of the qualities, but you get the idea. We are calling to offer you an in-house Reporting job at Magamen.
Me-...
Gov-Penny?
Me-I am here.
Gov-We do understand you have to finish your last semester of high school, so you should know we do have this job waiting for you upon your departure. Our in-house reporter of late is having a baby, and will be fulfilling her duties in another Magamen position at home. So this position is open. How does that sound?
Me-Can I come in and we can ask each other a few questions?
Gov-Sure. There's a restaurant across the street from our office. They have great chicken soup bowls there. We can discuss then. Is tomorrow a great time?
Me-Do you offer contracts?
Gov- (Laughs) We do have a contract we present to all of our incoming employees. If you would like to take a copy to your lawyer, that is fine. If you want to discuss any part of the contract, that is fine. Take your time. But let's discuss that tomorrow over lunch. Is noon fine?
Me-Can I bring my dad?
Gov-Of course!
Me-Thank you for this offer. This will be on the front of my mind!
Gov-We hope so. I'll have my assistant give you all the information. Hold on for her.
Me-Sure. Have a great day, Ronald.
Gov-You too, Penny.
So I got a job offer during Spring Break of my senior year in high school, and now I must decide if I will attend college or take the job. I saved $300 of the money my friends gave me --took $25 to pay for the first month of sponsoring a child in Africa, and the other $25 to buy a film editing book.
THE END.
