“No sweat,” said Michael.“What’s up?”
That was Michael.He never wasted a word, if he could help it.Nick stifled a chuckle.
“Anyone want coffee?”asked Eli.“I could use one.”
They all gave Eli their orders and held off on the official part of the meeting until he returned with four steaming cups.
Lacey grabbed her usual soy latte, took a sip and put it down.“I have great news.Life-changing news, actually.”She paused, looking at each of them in turn, creating suspense.
It only took a few seconds before Michael began to tap his finger on the table.“Put us out of our misery.Please.”
“All right, all right.So, guys, what has been my number one objective withHandymen?”
“Has Create picked us up?”asked Nick.
“Not quite,” said Lacey.“But it’s almost as good.As you know, I’ve always been focused on getting new viewers.A plan is in place to help us find a wider audience than ever before.A couple of days ago, I got called into a meeting at Inspiration.The executive producers were all there.They want to takeHandymenin an exciting new direction.”
Nick bit his tongue.The lastexciting directionthe producers had suggested involved the Zorn brothers wearing tank tops during their tapings, ones that would show off their muscles.Luckily, they had all ixnayed that idea into oblivion.
“Basically,” continued Lacey, “they want us to take the show on the road.”
“Okay.”Eli had a note of caution in his voice.“Defineon the road.”
Lacey’s smile grew tight.“I mean,on the road.Traveling.Visiting new cities.Tackling renovation projects in places like Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Boston.All over North America, frankly.The idea is that we would concentrate on a new city each episode.It would give us a chance to work with different styles of architecture, different gardening zones, even some historic properties.It’s a huge opportunity for some great exposure.Isn’t this wonderful?”
Nick kept a careful eye on his brothers.He didn’t need to hear them speak to know what they thought.
They hated the idea.
And he couldn’t say he blamed them.
Michael, for one, would never do it.He was married.Not only did Emily have a thriving business in downtown Toronto, he would never walk away from Zorn Contracting.It had been his idea to start the business, and he still saw it as his baby.They all did, of course, but Michael had always made it clear it was just as much of a priority to him as his work onHandymen.
Then there was Eli, who had just gotten married.His wife, Bernadette, known as Bernie, worked for a local not-for-profit agency.Her big project was to help administer a camp for children in cottage country, a couple of hours outside Toronto.It had become a passion project for both her and Eli, and because the camp only had one summer under its belt, Eli wasn’t about to ditch it.
Nick already knew neither of his brothers would take significant time away from their wives or their businesses.The first couple of years in a new business were crucial.
“Well?”prompted Lacey.“This is the part where you say, ‘This is amazing.Thank you for sharing this incredible news.’”
“But we’ve already filmed next season’s episodes,” said Nick.
“This would be for the following season, which we have to start working on soon,” explained Lacey.“As you know, our contracts only take us through the coming season.We haven’t been renewed yet beyond that, and it was a chance for the executive producers to make some changes.Changeisgood, guys.Tell me what you think.”
Eli began, his face pinched.“Lacey, I can’t.There’s no way I’d leave Bernie for that length of time.”
“It’s not like we’ll be gone for years.Just, you know, a few weeks here, a few weeks there.In total, maybe a few months out of the year.And you can travel back and forth as much as you’d like.”
“I’m sorry,” said Eli.“That’s not something I want.”
She looked to Michael.“And you?”
He shrugged.“No can do.”
“But, Michael…”
“It’s out of the question.Lacey, you know Em and I are settled here.”
“Look, I understand that the logistics will take getting used to, but it can be done,” she replied.“You could talk to Emily every day, thanks to that handy smartphone I taught you how to use.It’s not like you’ll be communicating via carrier pigeon.And, guys, if we want to hit the big leagues of TV, we need to break out of Toronto.Youknowthis.I hear what you’re saying.It would be hard at first, but it would be so worth it.”
