Dilemma and the Darkness

Just came home from a morning appointment.

And quite worn out I am.

But after lunch and a phone call I made, I'm back to life, ready to fight.

Basically, it goes something like this.

I get an appointment for web-development and corporate image design.

I drop by their office dressed up in a suit and all.


But.

The boss isn't in.

The one who contacted me is the boss's assistant.

There we were, talking about what can be done, me giving the quotations and all.

When we were about to get to fix the pricing, suddenly, the other party says this.

"Actually, I'm not the one who makes the decision, you will have to speak to my boss next week."

Ok, fair enough. I don't mind making another trip.

The bombshell comes later.

"Could you quote at $x instead? I won't consider the other quotations, I'll give you the job, but after that you pass to me $y. Is it ok?"

Shocked, I kept my composure and said I'll think about it.


Left, taken aback.


Tainted by the darkness of the corporate world, I needed some therapy.


So I went for some gourmet Jap Food nearby.

Its conveyor belt serves sakae-styled sushi, but at 4bucks per plate. The quantity is less than Sakae, but after a nightmare experience last week at Sakae, it was heaven to taste fresh, gourmet sushi. Basically Sakae was having their anniversary "10 for 10" promotion, where any 10 colour plates would cost 10 bucks. But it was a nightmare, as everything was not fresh, with disgustingly-mass-produced sloppiness... total disappointment.

Anyway, I had some sushi, and a Cha Soba, which tasted marvellous, and a nice cup of traditional green tea to top off the meal. Didn't cost that much, it was 20-ish.

But after that sushi therapy, I came to a decision.

I called the other party.

"Hi, I don't think I can over-quote, as I will not be fair to my other clients. I think you have to decide whether what I can give is better than the others who have gave you a quotation. Sorry."

"Oh. Ok. It's alright then. I'll call you if we need you. Thanks for coming down."


And I zoom-zoomed home in a cab.


I probably lost a big client, but regained my conscience. Don't doubt it, it f**king hurts, cos the job would pay off a few months' rental. But by weighing the pain of losing my conscience to losing this job, I choose my conscience.

The darkness of the corporate world is pervasive, yes, but that doesn't mean you cannot protect yourself against it.

What's the point of having mounting wealth when you have trod on others to get it?

Well of course those on the other side will always have proper justifications for their actions.

Sometimes even respectable.

But I still choose what I choose.

I Bless all of you my friends who read this, that the darkness of the world may never corrupt your hearts.