Ed shoots Niko a quick glance, then looks back at the screen. “The slogan is perfect. We can do it. We have shirts from infants to adult in a variety of colors. You good with us just pushing them out everywhere local? We can sell some from our website and others at the gift shops in town. Do you want me to try to get them in at Witt Mountain Lodge?”
“The more we can sell, the more we can make.”
He looks back at Nico. “This is a big name, Wynter. Someone is going to try and buy them all up and sell them for a lot on the internet.”
Nico clears his throat. “Dom said something about using one shirt for display and limiting sales to one shirt per customer. You could also print purchase cards where the orders come directly to you. Then you, the vendor, and the event split the revenue after your expenses are covered.”
Ed nods. “We’ve done that before, so we have the program set. Not a big deal for us. Big vendors don’t always like it.”
“This isn’t about big vendors, it’s about the vendors in this town,” Nico smiles. “Exclusive rights. If they want it, it comes through you.”
“I’ll make a couple then send out emails and start making calls. This is a great idea, Wynter. It—it could save us. Be sure you tell Dom and his friend how much we appreciate it.”
“I will. Now, the decorations.”
“Couple of the guys volunteered to take them to the VA hall. They’re there now doing some sorting. I’ll need them back to get going on these orders.”
“No problem. I’ll get you the waiver in the hour. I have my helper, and some of the ladies from the coffee shop said they’d come help with decorations when they can. I—I can’t pay but if anyone has time to help, I’d appreciate it.”
“I’ll get the word out. Wynter—” He looks at me then at Niko. “I, we, the town appreciates what you’re trying to do. We won’t forget.”
“It’s going to be alright, Ed. Next year will be easier.”
At the VA Hall two guys I recognize are working on the lights. One is on drywall stilts, hanging them in the hooks around the ceiling while the other is testing that they work. They’ve already completed two walls.
“Hey Wynter,” Bobby calls. “Good to see you.”
“You, too.”
“Heard you may have drummed up some work for us.”
“Yep. Ed said to get your butts back there, he needs you stat.”
“All right! You hear that, Ted?”
“Hell yeah. I’ll be right there.”
Niko drifts over to talk to Ted while Bobby gestures at the supplies.
“These strings are tested.” Bobby waves a hand over about eight strings, then points to boxes on the floor. “The rest of the strings and the spare bulbs. It’s quicker if one of you tests and the other hangs. We’ve always put the lights in this room with the tree and the entrance room, so the hooks are still up. Those big boxes in the corner are the tree.
“Lights first, then tree,” he adds. “Tree needs at least a day to settle in and get its droop on. Tomorrow, you decorate. It’s pre-lit but some of those bulbs may need to be replaced. Ted prefers the stilts but there’s a step ladder as well.
“I gotta work and the wife took a night shift. If I can get back I will. But it may be tomorrow.”
“That’s fine, Bobby. Go. We’ll get as far as we can. We appreciate anyone who can stop by.
“Don’t worry. Go. We’ll at least have a tree, presents, and the food baskets.”
Once they’re gone, I look around and the panic starts to set in. What have I gotten myself into?
“Wynter, I need another string.”
I spin. Niko’s on the stilts now and towering over me. “Oh my god, that looks dangerous. Do you know what you’re doing?”
“Ted showed me. Doesn’t seem that hard. Move it, girl.” He smiles.
The next two hours we push. Thankfully, Ted and Bobby had at least laid out all the lights and my testing and replacing took about as long as Niko’s hanging. We’re almost finished when Sall shows up with coffee and sandwiches.
