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RYERSON HELD OUT THE envelope containing the remaining $5000 that he’d agreed to pay Jerry for his photographs, but Jerry didn’t snatch it up as he had the first time. Instead, Jerry eyed the envelope and held his own with the photographs behind his back.
“I’d like to talk to you about the amount of money we agreed upon.”
“Is that right?” Ryerson asked.
“Yes, Mr. Thornton. My work is important to me, and I take great pride in what I do.” Jerry waited for a reply and went on when he received none.
“As you know, it’s hard to place a price on a photo and it usually depends on what an individual is willing to pay.”
“And I’ve made clear exactly what I am willing to pay.”
“You have, Mr. Thornton. I just feel that due to the nature of this work, I could secure a better fee. Look at what the papers are paying for pictures of Angelina Jolie’s babies for Christ sake.”
The vein in Ryerson’s temple began to throb.
“Listen, Jerry, because this is going to be the best advice anyone is ever going to give you. You’re going to take the money I have in this envelope, and now, that is all you are going to get. You’re going to give me the photographs and the memory card, as well as any copies you might have made. You’re going to keep our business to yourself. In the future, I will be happy to send more business your way and recommend you to my colleagues.” He leaned in close to Jerry and whispered in his ear. “But if you fuck with me, Jerry, I promise you a fate far worse than any you could ever imagine.”
He stepped back and held out the envelope again. After a moment, Jerry reached for it, but Ryerson held tight. “Can I count out your discretion, Jerry?”
“You can, Mr. Thornton.”
“Then what do you have for me?”
Jerry held out his own envelope and Thornton released the money. He investigated the larger envelope and saw two memory cards and the photographs. He browsed through the photos to be sure that he was getting exactly what he wanted. He was quite satisfied with the shots.
“And the copies?” Thornton asked.
“I didn’t make any.”
“How nice of you, Jerry. Now, be on your way and forget we ever met.”
Jerry put the envelope into a deep front pocket of his raincoat. He turned and pulled open the back door to Harold’s. Ryerson’s voice halted him.
“By the way, Jerry. Great work.”
He smiled, and Jerry smiled back.