When Right Angles go Wrong

What does it say about a person, even a company when they agree to do one thing and act differently?

As you read previously, The Right Angle agreed to give me a cheque on the 24th for half the amount owed and a post dated cheque for the other half. The entire amount is overdue more than 5 months at this time.

This morning, I received a call to collect the cheque dated for today. But the post dated cheque would not be given because “the boss” whoever that is, refused to sign it.

This is disappointing, but after all the stupid negotiations I’ve had to go through with this company, not surprising.

The accounts person who called me said that she promised to give me the cheque in September as agreed, dated on the 15th because “she did not like to receive so many calls from me”.

I can assure you that I made her less than 20 calls and of that, I only spoke to her on 4 or 5 occasions.

But I think all these people forget that I do not like calling people up to pay me money. It’s very easy for them to see how inconvenienced they are when we call them. Do you think I like to beg for money? Worse, beg for money that is rightfully earned? Would I have to call and hassle you if you paid me on time as promised?

Companies expect us to submit work on time. That’s entirely their right. So why can’t I expect to be paid on time too? That’s my right.

This is why every time I get calls from unknown production companies, I sound so unenthusiastic. Sometimes I quote a higher price just so I don’t have to deal with them because I’m so unsure I’ll even get paid. In fact, the likelihood is that I will be unpaid. Or paid the very last even though I may have been one of the first to start on the project.

Which is why, once, when the accounts person at The Right Angle said, we can only pay you later, I suggested if she could forgo her pay for one month, give that to me, and take her own pay later.

I’m sure the boss who refused to sign my post dated cheque has signed his own cheque up till December already. Perhaps even with bonus included. Surely that’s the case, unless Arts Central hasn’t paid them for my already telecast project. Perhaps I should call Arts Central and ask.

As you might already know the logo for The Right Angle is the Chinese character that means “up”. I think that if the company conducts itself in the way it is named, there can be no way but up for them. But for now, with their cash flow woes, I think they are seriously on their way down.