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Emma holds up a hand. “When you were a dancer here, didn’t you have to pull out of a show at the end?”
I squint at her. “I was hurt doing a production of Sleeping Beauty, if that’s what you mean.”
She bobs her head. “And you never got to stage manage a production of Sleeping Beauty, as far as I am aware.”
“No.” I lean forward again, engaged. “Is that what you are offering as bait? The lure of doing something new?”
Chase smirks. “Yes. We would need you for Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, two of the hardest ballets to dance or direct. And not that it matters, but there would also be some other smaller showcases, I imagine.”
I sit back, pushing my cheek out with my tongue. None of what they are saying moves me in the least. But a lightbulb does go off in the back of my head. “If I took the position, you would have to inform the other patrons of the transition, wouldn’t you?”
Emma and Chase share a glance. Emma clears her throat. “I suppose.”
I smile a little. “I’m interested in doing business with one of your donors. Jack Schwartz.”
Chase raises his eyebrows. “We could… maybe notify all the patrons? I mean, it wouldn’t be very hard to put together some sort of elegant engraved card or something.”
“It would have to highlight how much I’ve given over the last few years and how grateful the company is for my continued good works.”
“Of course,” Emma says. “We’ll state that we are very grateful to you.”
I purse my lips. “I think that someone in my office will gladly put together a thoughtful reflection on my career and more importantly, on my charitable nature.”
There is silence just then as Emma and Chase look at each other. It goes on for a little too long.
I drum my fingers on the table, trying not to be offended. “I need you two to agree that I’m known for my good works above all else.”
“Of course,” Emma says, eager to please me.
I stare her down until she flushes a little.
“Well?” Chase prompts. “Will you do it?”
My mouth flattens. I raise a finger. “I’ll think about it,” I allow. “And I do mean think. I have a lot to consider.”
Emma looks vaguely pleased. “We would so appreciate it, Calum.”
“We’ll see,” I say, leaning back and shrugging a shoulder. “But regardless of whether or not I take the job, I need something from you.”
Chase rubs his hands together, smiling. “What’s that?”
“Let go of all your dancers that are not ready to move up and take the spotlight.” I stand, casting a serious gaze at them both. “Anybody that isn’t hungry for it? Demote them to the corps or fire them. Clear the way for thirty or forty brand new dancers to step forward.”
“Oh, Calum.” Emma says. “I don’t know…”
“It’s not a request. I’ll make the money you receive from my charity contingent upon that condition.”
I suck in a breath, looking at my watch. When I look back up, they both have sour expressions on their faces. “If that’s all, I have a thousand things to do.”
Emma stands up, graceful as ever. “I’ll walk you out, Calum.”
“No need. You two should be figuring out how to tell those dancers that they are fired.”
With that pronouncement, I head out of the office, closing the button on my jacket as I go.
My emotions swirl in the air around me, concussing me. But I can see one thing very clearly.
Me taking a bow as the audience raves, the applause so thunderous that I can’t hear a single voice in the back of my head.
