Profits; The Future

originally posted January 25, 2007

I paid the actors.
Total compensation for the two of them was better than six silver tarsks, or ten percent of the net profits from ticket sales at the Fall of Agamedes. Of course, during the hands that led up to the production, I forwarded both of them regular advances and subtracted this amount from the total they were each paid - which was in the neighborhood of five silver tarsks apiece. Phineahas seemed to think it was far too much, that the services of Portia, I presume, had eaten much of his profit. He tried to return four of the five silver tarsks, but I refused. It is difficult to believe he put the black girl to her belly over one hundred and thirty times in the time I have known him. Certainly not since the time I began employing him. If so. Kudos to the man. I have my suspicion that most fellows find it difficult to ride that lewd whore more than once. She enjoys it. She makes certain they enjoy it. I have seen more than one fellow limping his way down the stairs at the Boarding House with a grand smile upon his exhausted face. At any rate, I did not accede to his demand that I retain four of the five silver coins he was rightfully paid. I profited well enough from the proceeds of the play and concessions that I could afford to pay both fellows well above scale. I did so.
Now comes the time when I have to start considering the next production. I wonder if Ar hungers for another drama. Perhaps a farce would be better suited for my third production in the Great Theater. The Merchant of Ko-ro-ba, for all the scandal it caused, was a rather weighty dramatic piece, and long, too. The Fall of Agamedes, similarly, was difficult material. Perhaps something lighter the next time. I do not know just yet.