The Art of the Deal
Have you ever wanted to live forever? You ever stop to think of the cost?
"Do you want to live forever?" he said with a lopsided grin.
Nina squirmed in the chair. The impeccably dressed gentleman had of course invited her up to his private office. She caught glimpses of herself in the polished brass trim, bright against the dark wood panels. While he droned on, she just wanted him to get to the point. She fluffed her hair and smiled her best come-hither smile. Still, the job by what she gathered was a bit unexpected. A courier was not what her ample talents usually got her but a gig was a gig. The money was good and this ridiculous offer made her realize all she had to do was play her cards right. All she had to do is deliver the goods. Which made her wonder what else was in the contract. She was no fool even if he was.
"Well?" he intoned, holding a fountain pen out for her. "I do have other clients."
"You said I was important. Crucial even. I'm thinking about it. There is a lot of fine print." She batted her eyes at the mark.
"Oh, those are the usual conditions and indemnifications. You know, you won't take it to a higher court, you are subject to arbitration that's binding, et cetera. We do require a modicum of protection. You wouldn't deny us that, would you? Hmm?" the man said with a broad, toothy smile.
Nina shuddered. The erstwhile display of friendliness seemed anything but. She could have sworn the man had pointed teeth.
"If you are unable to make up your mind, I would consider that a no," said the man, reaching out to gather the papers.
"You just hold on!" she protested. "I'm trying to make sense of what the words mean. 'Proton decay', 'Hawking evaporation'. Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?" Nina said while she eyed the huckster.
"It means you'll be around for a while and not have to worry about little things. All standard."
"Of course. What if something comes up and I want out?" she said, biting her lower lip.
"Well, no contract is ever ironclad. I'm sure that you could find a way to nullify it, given enough time. You are a double threat with your beauty and intelligence," the man said, again with a slightly too large smile.
Nina hated that smile more than ever. She knew she was good looking and smart and didn’t need some yokel telling her. On impulse, she grabbed the pen he offered and with a flourish, signed her name on the line.
"There! I'll be damned. I did it. I'll live forever now. Ha ha."
"True enough."
"Well, where’s the package? When do I have to deliver it?" She felt a twinge inside, below her stomach, almost at her hips.
"You’ve just received it. It’s due in 280 days," said the man, his smile splitting his head from ear to ear.