Grow or Die

As of last week, even before Mad Mike and company started demolishing the shop, I agreed to start doing seven meetings a week, at Y’s, conference halls, corporate headquarters, downtown clubs, you name it.  Maggie does the bookings.  One night I’m in a one hundred year old theater on State Street staring up at balcony tiers and above them, rococo chandeliers.  Another night I’m addressing a bunch of business types at the Marriott.  Some nights, I speak to a few hundred people, other nights a few dozen.  I do my little shows in library discussion rooms and Methodist conference halls, basement bingo parlors, and yesterday afternoon, in the stately home of the woman presiding over the Kenilworth Beautification Association.

[This post is an excerpt from Diary of a Heretic, the novel. Click here to read the first episode, or here to read the previous one.]

I used to think maybe Carlos was right—I have a special gift, but lately, seven nights a week, I have to wonder if it makes a bit of difference what I do or say.  I’ve promised Carlos I will keep going until we’re financially secure.

Meanwhile, he is in the process of buying three new bakeries, where I can extend the blessings of the bread and benedictions of the chocolate éclairs.

“And who,” I ask, “is negotiating these purchases?”

“Fletcher and Franklin and I.”

“Really.”

“I know about real estate, Malcolm.  I know this city.  I know what I’m doing.  And I’ve waited all my life for this, okay?”

“Oh, me too,” I say as Maggie closes down her phone.

“Next Tuesday,” she says, “Oak Park Town Hall Theater, eight o’clock.”

“You know, when I was a little boy,” I tell them, “and people asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up?  I always said:  dash about a great, big rented conference room, lift my billowy shirt, and show everybody my wounds.”

“Are seven meetings a week,” Maggie wonders, “too much?”

“No,” Carlos says.  “Don’t get all cynical and self-critical, Malcolm.  You’re doing great.  It’s easy for you—anybody can see that!  Besides, this is the crucial time.  We either build momentum now or interest will fade.  I know!  I’ve been through this before:  If we don’t keep growing, we’ll die.”

(Click here to read the next episode.)