Page 186 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Chapter 14.
What do you mean we’re not getting paid this week?

Allori figured out a way to force his painters to work more quickly. He told them that
they wouldn't get a denaro from him until they completed seven ceilings of the eleven for which
they’d been hired. “When you complete Bay 37, boys, I’ll pay you. Until then, however, I’m
suspending your pay. Let me be clear: this isn’t punishment. It’s to motivate you to finish on
time, before October 1st, to make sure I get paid, so that I can pay you. Finish Bay 37, and
you’ll get paid.”

Santi wasn’t happy. His father's health was rapidly deteriorating, and there were no
reserves left in the cashbox, none but a few stray soldi. Perhaps he could trick Allori into
reimbursing him for paint supplies which he thought had been purchased locally in Florence, and
exorbitant local prices...but actually had come from a distant market in where the prices were
lower. He must look into the idea of a day trip to the mineral and stone marketplaces in Liguria.
Could he get away with that? Would his father be all right, alone for a day?

Aurelio took the Allori's announcement that payment would be delayed until the job was
completed very badly, feeling powerless, once again, as a deaf man. He could not complain to
the local magistrates (how? They would not read any petitions from a deaf man, whom the
considered in the same category as the lowest of castes, easily dismissed.) The other option
option to a hearing man of waiting for a day in court, would be of no use to him. How would
they hear his arguments of unjust employment. It verged on slavery!

Tozzo, on the other hand, of all the painters, took the news in the most exemplary and
time-honored fashion: he went to the tavern and he drank.

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