Chapter 61: Negotiation

Soon enough Jeffrey met Samantha during 5th period P.E. class. Since they were pretty much taking a rest day jogging around the field, Jeffrey started to talk to her about Preston's friend situation.

"Hey Samantha, you ready for winter break?", Jeffrey enthusiastically asked her.

"Oh, hey Jeffrey", Samantha said noticing him. "My families all prepared to travel during the holidays."

"Oh that's awesome where to?", Jeffrey continued to ask.

They talked a bit about their holiday plans. Jeffrey mentioned he was going to see his grandfather and attend a few Christmas and New Years Parties with neighbors and friends. It was going to be a busy vacation for both of them cramming so much at the end of the year.

"So, Did Preston talk to you about his friend Dresden", Jeffrey started to ask.

"Uh, no?", Samantha looked at Jeffrey.

Jeffrey started to motion with his hands, "So Preston wants to invite someone to help with the project. However, he's less interested in the science and more on the second phase of promotion and sense of accomplishment. Plus he wants to get paid"

Samantha thought for a little bit trying to seriously consider the situation.

"So you don't know him?", Samantha asked.

"Nope, he's not my friend, he's Preston's friend", Jeffrey explained.

"I don't know, we don't know him that well", Samantha said her initial thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm not sure either. One one hand we don't know him that well, but...", Jeffrey trailed off.

"but what?", Samantha asked.

"He might be someone we need or consider?", Jeffrey suggested.

"So why are you telling me this", Samantha looked at Jeffrey.

Samantha was quite confused why Jeffrey decided to bring up this topic.

"So here's the thing", Jeffrey began.

"The first reason is that you're one of the science project members, so you should know about this and make a decision. That's kind of the leader thing to do, especially if we want to make this bigger", Jeffrey mentioned.

"Yeah", Samantha agreed with him.

"The other reason is that I'd like to get your input, a second opinion if you will to make sure I'm not crazy and making these decisions on my own. Knowing you and Preston, you guys are both much more capable than me so I usually hope that you guys had a plan to lead things rather than us just stumbling around. The lack of leadership is something I think we could all work on", Jeffrey finished.

"Cool", Samantha said. She didn't really have too much to say in response.

"You plan on inviting him then?", Samantha clarified.

"Science project wise, I don't think he's too interested. However, he was enthusiastic enough to ask so maybe we give him a chance and see how it all works out?", Jeffrey looked at Samantha.

"Sounds good to me, it sounds like you know what you're doing", Samantha passed the decision over to Jeffrey.

Jeffrey got a little nervous about what his project partner was thinking. "Was she dissatisfied? unhappy? Maybe I should ask her to invite someone as well?"

Jeffrey shelves his concerns and started planning and making a decision.

"Are you ok with teaching him. I know he's Preston's friend, but I really don't want people to be forming groups on who they know. If he's going to join I want him to know us as the project leaders", Jeffrey started to instill a little politics and power plays into their dynamics.

Jeffrey recalled an old class about the essence of government, politics, and federalism.

"Where there are groups of people, there will be politics. Since the dynamic relationships required to organize something means that everyone follows a common direction...", Jeffrey didn't really pay attention to that lesson in social studies class. The teacher was droning on and on about English history and the British and French Royal families.

"How is anyone suppose to stay awake after a lesson about King Henry the VIII?", Jeffrey's thoughts strayed again.

"Uh Jeffrey, you ok?", Samantha asked the thinking Jeffrey staring a little dazedly into the distance.

"Oh yeah, everything fine", Jeffrey reassured her.

"So we ok with inviting Preston's friend?", Jeffrey asked once more.

Samantha had a look on her face that Jeffrey was unsure of what it meant.

"Yeah, it's good. I just want to make a good science project, the other stuff isn't too important to me", Samantha admitted honestly.

Jeffrey decided to scribble down a few notes on a page in his notebook.

List of tasks for science project

- Invite Dreden Poincaire

- notify Preston and discuss

- restructure the project group (?)

"So when are we going to meet up again?", Samantha asked.

"Let's see if we can do tomorrow", Jeffrey responded.

That was pretty much it for their project management negotiations. Quite simple really, but it was best to be diligent.