~Jareth's POV~
I'm going to be late. Oh well, I'm the artist, it's not like they can fire me. Well I guess they could, but with my reputation that would be very ignorant of them. I need my coffee fix first. Thankfully there isn't a long line. Seems I caught them in an unusual lull in business. This was the first place I ever designed for. Brings back fond, simpler, memories for me.
As I walk through the door, I instantly spot a very attractive women next to the counter. Our eyes meet briefly before she looks down. Huh, interesting. Usually, women don't capture my attention. But something about her is calling to me. Just as I am about to go talk to her Jake calls her name and she rushes out the door. Hm.
“Hey, Jake. How's it going today?” Maybe Jake knows who she is. But first, coffee.
“Hey-ya, Jareth. It's going. What ‘bout you?”
“Oh, I'm good. Better now after seeing that beauty next to the counter. Any idea who she is?”
“Oh, you must mean Sophi. She is a real beaut, but she also is kind of a man-eater. Not maliciously or anything, but she has very strong...uh...needs.” That's nothing too unordinary, in my experience. Most women are demanding.
“So… she's high-maintenance?”
“Oh no, not at all. She's the most easy-going woman I have ever met. Definitely gives the definition of 'free-spirit' a run for its money.” At my confused expression he tries to respectfully explain. I can see his admiration for her. “What I meant is that she has a very high sex drive.”
“Is that all she's after?” I have no issues with woman expressing their freedom to sleep with whoever they want, but personally I'm not one for one-and-done; wham bam thank you ma'am; one-night stands.
“No. It just happens that she hasn't found someone to keep up with her needs and lifestyle. She's also more spiritual than religious, but not in a 'in your face' way. She's awesome, honestly. I wish I could be like her...minus the spiritual thing. I'm not giving up my God. Anyways, there's a line forming, so what can I get you?”
“Oh, sorry, man. My bad. I'll have my usual. And she certainly sounds interesting. Hopefully I'll get the chance to run into her again.”
As I wait for my coffee I scroll through my emails, and the newest one catches my attention. It's from Dale Junior, Jr., owner of the new Public Art Museum going up. Wonder what he needs?
Mr. Smith,
It has come across my attention that you are the best graphic design artist in the state. I was wondering if you would be able to design my new logo for the museum, and I also have a proposition for you. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Dale Junior, Jr.
Owner of Public Art Museum
CEO of Junior Enterprises
Sweet! This is a great opportunity. So far, I've done mainly mom and pop shops and local logos. I also design shirt designs for different events. My favorite event to design for is the annual Relay for Life. After losing both my parents to cancer, it holds a place in my heart. I hope someday we can find an affordable way to beat cancer, so families don't have to lose anyone to it. I design the shirts free of charge so that they can focus on selling them each year and keep all the profits. I guess it's my way of donating to the cause. Especially when I turn around and spend money at the event itself.
I should probably respond to this email as soon as I get done with my meeting, that I'm starting to get dangerously close to being late to.
“Here you go, Jareth. Have a great day!”
“Thanks, Jake, you too! Don't work yourself too hard!” With that final word I hurry across the street to start making quick work of the distance between the cafe and the local community center. They need me to design the promotional posters for the town's annual charity art show.
I make it in the knick of time. Like literally 10 seconds to spare on my watch. I hate being late, but the coffee was absolutely necessary. I was up late working on a personal project. I'm hoping to expand my business beyond just out of my home and actually get some office space. I certainly have enough saved up, but I have had a hard time finding somewhere that calls to me. So, I just keep saving money and making plans for the layout. As well as my official logo. Oddly I am having issues deciding. When I am working for a client, the creative juices just start flowing; my muse is like a kid on a sugar high. But when I try to come up for my own design, she shuts up. Oh well, I have time.
“I am so sorry for cutting it so close. I promise I'm usually at least 5 minutes early. I just had to stop for coffee on my way, otherwise I would have been dead on my feet.” Thankfully, no one seems upset, just eager to get started. “So, I know the basics from talking to Barbara. This is a charity art show hosted by the community center every year. All proceeds go to the local homeless shelter to make sure that they have the proper resources to take care of everyone, as well as possibly expand the shelter. Anything else I need to know about? I also don't have the exact dates.”
“Hello, Mr. Smith, my name is Orion. Might I just start with what an honor it is to have you doing this for us. As for the details, what you mentioned is the gist of it. We are hoping to provide better resources for the homeless shelter by making sure there is food for everyone who needs it, as well as clothes. We are also hoping to expand the homeless shelter by adding on an additional building for more space to house people; as well as better shower facilities, haircuts, and job recruitment services. We believe that the key to tackling homelessness is by making sure everyone has the help and push that they need. As for the dates, we're thinking Friday October 12th through Sunday October 14th. We were also thinking about also doing the following weekend just to ensure people can attend. Maybe add some Halloween/Autumn festivities in there to make families feel more welcome. The last weekend can include candy being passed out by all the vendors; to everyone, not just children.”
“Thank you, Orion, that was certainly a lot of details, and I look forward to this event, personally. I am happy to help you out with the posters, and seeing as how it is for charity, I cannot accept the money that you are offering. Instead let it be used to either start the donations or to even go into supplies for the event.” Orion really did give me a lot of details. Now I just need the nitty gritty details to see what I can toy with for the posters. “Lemme just get out my phone so I can take notes about what you're wanting to include on the posters for what kind of activities will be happening, as well as possible design ideas. I will happily put together a few different options based on everyone's opinions, as well as what I come up with based upon what I have heard. And everything I come up with is yours to use or not.”
“Sounds great to me. Jasper has some designs we've all come up with. Mind you, none of us are artists, but you’re welcome to take a look at what we got. Hopefully that’ll give you ideas and you can go from there.”
“Thank you very much. I’ll go ahead and grab the ideas from you guys; and is there anything else you think I should know so I can come up with the designs? Need any event shirts to wear at the stations and to sell to attendees? I’m happy to design some up for you guys and get them started, free of charge as well. I strongly believe in the mission you guys are working toward and am happy to donate the items so you can sell it for extra money.”
“Oh, goodness! Are you sure?” Barbara has her hand half over her heart and half just on her chest. “We really do not want to impose on you. You’re already doing so much with just designing our posters and banner for the event. We can’t ask anything else of you.”
“Good thing you’re not asking than, huh?” I wink at all of them. “I am more than happy to do this for you guys. I’m hoping to expand my business soon anyways, but I do not want to lose sight of the charities around me that I believe in. What you guys are doing is a great inspiration. Too many people are falling on hard times lately and not much is being done about it outside of our communities. I wish more places across the States would jump on this. I think too many people just see it failing before ever even giving it a shot, so they chalk it up to a loss without even trying.
So, I am more than happy to pay for you guys to have t-shirts for the event as well as some extra to sell to everyone who attends. Trust me. I have been homeless before, and I wish there were things like this around when I was.” I will never forget those days. Huddling into myself for warmth, no one close to me to take me in. I’m glad I got out of that, but I know many people are not as lucky as me.
“Oh, I had no idea about that, I’m sorry, sweetie. We will definitely take you up on the offer. Thank you, so very much. Do you have all the info you need to do this?”
“I think I do, unless anyone wants to add anything else?” I hope not, I already have some designs in mind.
Everyone seems to be thinking, before everyone shakes their heads no, and Orion says, “I think we’ve told you all that we can. If anything else pops up or changes we will let you know as soon as possible.”
“Alrighty, sounds good. I will go home and start working on this right away. I hope you all have a very lovely rest of your day.” I turn to leave as people are saying their good-byes to me.