Four hours of meetings and I am worn out.
The regular work sessions with Carson have presented challenges – no doubt tomorrow will be more of the same. Lots to think about, lots to work out – How are we financing this? Can we do it ourselves? Do we want to look for investors?
Circulation is a constant source of stress – we aren’t a big city, so how much is enough? And, from that, should we begin to pursue ads?
What about having an actual office with publishing equipment – the whole bit.
We haven’t even scratched the surface.
For the time being, the yacht is our office, which is easy enough for me. An empty bedroom suite, a frig, and away we went.
Carson agrees, finally, to call it a day, lost in thought as he leaves the Lady Lux. Given the number of 3AM text messages I’ve been getting, I feel certain he’ll remain pre-occupied all evening. Suddenly, I feel great sympathy for Elyse.
I pop a beer as I leave the office in search for Mercury, who we never include in our meetings. I find her in the lounge. The crew is nowhere to be found, so she helps herself to a glass of wine.
I raise my glass. “Cheers.” Each of us sip. “How are you this afternoon?”
“Bored and worried, if you must know,” she answers tersely.
“Bored because we haven’t included you? Or worried because we no help, and no experience in publishing? Or is this a Carson-specific concern?
“Yes,” Mercury replies.
“Yes to what?” I ask.
“All of that.” Mercury squirms as she speaks, which can only mean one thing: There’s more to this.
“I mean,” she continues, “I’m not really on board here, and frankly …”
Her voice trails off. “Frankly what?” I ask, hesitating.
“I’m worried about us.”
I couldn’t help but nod.
“Well, this has occurred to me as well … I mean, so far, things have gone pretty smoothly but … well, it’s a commitment.”
“There’s more to it, though.” Mercury stands and refills her glass. “Is this even worthwhile for us? It may be so for Carson, he’s new here … who knows what he has in mind for his future. Maybe he’s planning to stay … maybe he’ll run for office. We just don’t know what he’s, well … what he’s made of. … I’m just … well, I’m nervous.”
I can hear the water lapping against the sides of the Lady Lux as it rocks. The is no good time to ask the question I know she’s going to ask.
“Should we talk to Bitsy about this?” Mercury sips her wine in silence as she gives me the side eye.
I shrug, and now I’m getting frustrated. “Look, I know she’s your mom and all … but Bitsy isn’t one of my favorite people. I tolerate her because of my love for you but I don’t think I want to be in a business with her. … Why is your instant solution to go to her anyway?”
Mercury sighs and shakes her head. “You just … you sounded frustrated. It was just a thought.” I shake my head. “No. We’re not there yet.”