Savages

57

“Our demand,” Alex says, “is not that you stop growing your product. Our demand is that you sell your product to us at a price that allows us to realize a reasonable profit. A big piece of that puzzle is your continuing to produce the product and helping to retain the customers who purchase it.”

Jaime nods.

Apparently Alex got it right.

“So basically,” Ben says, “you want us to come work for you.”

“Effectively, yes.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Don’t want to,” Ben says. “I’ve always worked for myself. I have no interest in working for anyone else. Nothing personal, no offense.”

Alex says, “I’m afraid our client will take it personally.”

Ben shrugs. Pop-psych-Buddhist truism—I can only control my actions, not other people’s reactions. Ben tries to explain. “I want out of the dope business. I’m bored and it’s become a drag. I want to do something different.”

“Such as?” Alex asks.

“Clean, renewable energy.”

Alex looks puzzled.

“Windmills and shit like that,” Jaime says.

“Oh.”

Alex looks puzzled.

“And solar,” Ben adds.

“Green,” Jaime says.

“There you go.”

“Couldn’t you do both?” Alex asks.

“Again,” Ben answers, “don’t want to.”

He walks out, Chon behind him.