Page 49

I stared at it.

“No,” I told the empty apartment.

I opened the county website.

The Madison County code pages had been designed by someone with a personal grievance against navigation. Events appeared under temporary assemblies, except when they involved livestock, amplified sound, food service, alcohol, or structures, at which point they appeared under separate departments that did not link to one another.

I built a list.

I checked the filing deadline.

July 1.

Correct.

I checked whether the producer had to hold a Montana-specific license.

The county language required a producer legally authorized to provide event-production services and properly insured for the scope. It did not create a separate county license. The broker’s phrase licensed producer likely referred to business registration, professional coverage, or a carrier requirement.

I wrote: Clarify basis.

Then I searched the brokerage.

Active registration.

Physical office.

Carrier appointments.

No disciplinary actions I could find.

The inquiry was real.

I returned to the insurance attachment.

One-million-dollar commercial general liability minimum. Additional insured status for the county and landowner. Liquor liability if alcohol was sold. Workers’ compensation from every direct contractor. Professional liability from the producer.

My renewed policy met the professional requirement.

I opened my calendar.

The week of August 15 had two tentative holds.

One was a corporate retreat awaiting deposit.

The other was a product dinner awaiting a signed agreement.

Neither had paid.

Tentative work did not pay debt.

Small work did.

Done perfectly, small work also became proof.

I hated how quickly my mind began constructing it.

I stopped.