Hello!
I study music since I was 4. Played the violin since I was 9. It can be said that I'm fairly good at my job since then. IT'S LONG BUT WORTH IT.
Not native speaker, on mobile.
This is the tale of a glorified choosing beggar who made me practice for a fake peter job.
When I was 12, I had a good business going already. My first violin was my grandmother's (very cheap one) and I was working hoping to by my first pro violin. I had just got my first cellphone (one of the historical bricks) and was promoting my “business” and giving my info for potential clients. I was making good money and parents were on board. Sometimes they would take me to the gigs and waited for it to end to bring me home. Also, my older (10 yrs older) brother played the Cello and looked after me.
One sunny day, a friend of my older sister (15yrs older than me) said that her cousin wanted a string quartet in her wedding venue and party.
Well well… I gave her my number for more info. The bride wanted a series of popular songs at the time, all played by string quartet. Also, at the party, she wanted us to play the bride/father dance song (a ridiculously difficult song!)
I said ok (fearing that I would not find the sheet music for the popular songs for string quartet) and told her that due to the songs she chose, the fact that we were going to play at venue AND party, and that the wedding would be in another city (yes, because she could, her words) I would ask for $100 (aprox.), with $50 in advance to create the arrangements that I couldn't find and play, and she needed to pay the other 3 musicians as well. I told her that the price would be about $50 each. She said ok, I said ok, there I was looking for the songs she asked and writing by hand a string quartet version of them.
Note that this was in the early 2000. No internet to Google from in my country (we could have a dialed one, but it was really expensive!)
After hours and hours writing parts, some colleagues found (bro included) and appointments for rehearsals set and transportation figured it out (one of the colleagues would drive us there and we would split the gas), she calls me at home. By then, she didn't gave me the first $50 yet, even though I asked for it multiple times. Full of excuses.
Bride: Hey, OP, how is it going?
Me: Still no sign of the $50…
B: Oh, I was talking about the songs…
Me: And I was talking about the advance…
(I was a little sarcastic kid, ok?!)
B: I was thinking, OP… Couldn't you give me a discount, since I'm [her cousin]'s cousin and she is your sister's best friend?
Me: That's not what we agreed. Now I can't give you discounts. I've already told my colleagues their payouts…
B: Why don't you pay them with your $100?
(Srly?)
Me: Because I don't work for free, nor pay to work. If I give $50 to each of my 3 colleagues I would end up with $50 less than I started this hole thing!
B: Maybe they would give you the discount…
Me: Nope.
B: I'll send the $50 the through your sister 2 Sundays from now.
Me: (counting the days) That's the day after your wedding. I need the $50 in advance and the other $200 after the party…
B: No, silly… I give you $50 so you can pay your friends and not pay to work…
Me: I asked for $100 for me and $50 for each of my colleagues.
B: You told me that if you pay them you'll still be putting $50 of your money to pay them, so I figured that $50 is enough.
Me: You figured?
(Sorry, sarcasm again)
B: Yes, that way I pay you $50 and you 4 play om my wedding. Everyone wins. You'll even get some fame among my friends and family
(Now I'm thinking this creature thinks I don't know how to add and subtract yet or is extremely dumb, probably the last)
Me: Not happening. Let's just cancel everything.
(I was livid!)
B: What?
Me: Bye bye!
(Proceeds to let my colleagues know that it's a no go while she blows my cellphone)
B: (after I finally answered) Hey, I don't understand
Me: I'll explain it to you. I gave you my price. You don't agree, we don't proceed. Simple as that
(My mom listened the last bit of the previous call and aproached)
B: I just asked for a discount!
Me: And I said no. You thought I would take $50 and that's it. I won't. My colleagues won't as well.
(Mom grabs the phone)
Mom: Hey, who is it?
B: I'm [Bride's name]. Op is playing at my wedding.
Mom: I don't think my daughter will, darling…
B: Why?
Mom: She just told you so.
B: You are her mother, so you tell her to do it
Mom: (trying not to laugh) You can't make me, and I won't make her.
B: She promised!
Mom: She was hired, she's not anymore.
B: I didn't fire her!
Mom: I guess she quit then.
B: But… Who will play at my wedding?
Mom: For $50? I don't think anyone would accept that.
B: What about $100? She would do for $100?
(Mom asks me, I say for 100 I play alone and she would need to pay for the gas)
Mom: She plays alone, but you pay extra for gas
B: Extra? All I wanted is a discount, not extra! And a string quartet! I need a string quartet so my wedding can be perfect! I need it! (She's now crying maybe?)
Mom: Poor you. I have stuff to do. Good luck, bye bye!
B: Wait, what about… (Mom disconnected)
Sorry for the length. See y'all for part Ii