Emma: I hope you are hungry because Harriet and I have decided that this is for you.

Alex: What flavor is it this time? I already have blood orange, tomato, and blueberry jalapeño.

E: Well, now you have peach guava turnip to add to your collection, or as I like to call it pagavanip.

[intro music]

E: So, what do you think? 

A: Of pagavanip?

E: No, of me and Ms. Bates.

A: I think it's wonderful. You're being a good friend to her.

E: By making her life better.

A: By listening to her.

E: By getting her new clients.

A: Wait, what?

E: You heard me.

A: Emma, why are you helping Maddy Bates find new clients?

E: You just said, to be a good friend. Her business is suffering, she needs new clients, and I'm going to help her.     
 
A: Our business is suffering and needs new clients, so why are you doing this, Emma?

E: Why can't my reason be that Maddy Bates needs help and I'm the only one who can help her?

A: Because you're you. 

E: Maddy confided in me that her business was slow. Sure she could wait for Jane Fairfax to help, or she could get the help she needs right here and now.

A: Ha! I knew it.

E: What do you know?

A: You're doing this to one-up Jane Fairfax. You've never gotten along with her.

E: Why wouldn't I get along with Jane Fairfax?

A: Because she does the things you only talk about doing.

E: Hey!

A: I'm just saying this isn't high school, there's no debate trophy to take home.

E: Helping Maddy Bates is the only trophy I need.

A: Not the greatest analogy.

E: Who cares, as long as her business improves, right?

A: You know what? I'm just happy that you're helping Maddy.

E: Thank you, Mr. Knightley. Your approval means ever so much to me.  

Harriet: [Intercom] Emma, Ms. Bates is here.

E: Great! Send her in.

Maddy: Knock, knock!

E: Maddy, come in!

M: Well, since Alex loves my preserves I thought I'd bring in some of my more experimental flavors.     

E: More experimental?

M: Yes, this one is pineapple eggplant, and this is watermelon olive and rhubarb.

E: Oh, he'll be thrilled. He needs a little excitement in his life.

M: He does.

E: Let's begin, shall we.

M: Oh, if we have time after our session maybe we can look at that budgeting software I brought.

E: Yeah, if there's time. Did you fill out that questionnaire I sent you?    

M: Oh, yes. Actually, here it is. Oopsies, I was working on it while canning.

E: Oh, yep pineapple eggplant.

M: Goes with everything.

E: So, currently you were working with a newly married couple, a few grad students, and a retired teacher.

M: Yes, and they are all lovely people.

E: And how are they paying you? Is it commission based?

M: Well, that depends. Um, Mrs. Wallace, she hasn't had much income since her husband passed, God rest his soul, so she pays me with fruits and vegetables from her garden. And I made the best apple pie with her payment last week.

E: And the others, they also pay you in vegetables?

M: Oh heavens, no! The Fords, they do my dry cleaning. They own that little express cleaner over there on Myrtle and you know I'm not one to gossip, but do you know they almost lost that place to bankruptcy last year?

E: That is terrible! They really should...

M: I know! That is why I feel like I have to help these people, I mean it is the right thing to do, and as Jane always says, "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something".

E: Ah, that's a lovely thought.

M: I know!

E: But, unfortunately a business does not run off of dry cleaning and apple pie.

M: Honey, if it did I'd be in great shape.

E: And you say you mostly get new clients through word of mouth?

M: Yes, well Perry recommended Andy who is in his last year of optometry school and basically gave my Momma her glasses and eye exam free of charge, and I told Momma I said, "Momma, now you can see everything!". And she said, "Not with you standing in my way".

E: Mh, well this has been very helpful.

M: It has.

E: Incredibly, I know exactly what to do. I'm going to take care of everything, just schedule your next session with Harriet on your way out.

M: Oh, well didn't you want to see this financial software I brought?

E: Maddy, we need to focus on getting you new clients. My lessons will just have to be put on hold. Jane Fairfax isn't the only one who practices the power of sacrifice in order to help others.   

M: You are so kind, Emma. Just like my Jane; I can't thank you enough.      

E: No, you can't.

Harriet: How did it go?

E: I definitely have a plan.

H: What is it?

E: Right now Maddy's clients are all low to middle income. They are paying her in favors and produce. All her new clients are coming in through word of mouth.

H: Isn't that a good thing? That means they like her!

E: Yes, but unfortunately poor begets poor. Her clientele's going to remain at a certain level unless we can help her branch out. We need to put her in front of a completely different audience that will hopefully pay her in a recognized currency.

H: Like the client list I've been working on.

E: Yes! Now, how do we connect that to Maddy Bates?

H: I don't know.

E: Just think like the rich and powerful. What is going to make you entrust Maddy Bates with your money?

H: If I think she did a good job?

E: Good! Keep going with that, and how would you know if she did a good job...?

H: If she tells me she did?

E: Or if someone richer and more successful than you tells you she did.

H: Oh!

E: So, all we need to do is get Maddy Bates access to more high profile business people.

H: Okay. Oh, we could go door to door and hand out her business cards. I did that once in college for a Chinese restaurant called Happy Cesar Unicorn Buffet.

E: That would take a lot of pounding the pavement. Instead, we need them to come to her by...

H: Having a... bake sale?

E: So close; throwing a benefit!

H: Like a fundraiser?

E: Yes, if there's one thing the rich and powerful love it's attending overpriced events to benefit a cause, and if there's one thing I love is throwing a party!

H: Oh, me too!

E: And if we happen to meet new clients there...

H: It's a win-win!

E: Harriet, the party is back on! And we will have our open bar.

H: Hell, yes!

[outro music]