"It's not for sale." You say, dryly. "Though just about everything else I have is. Is there something else I can get you? My artwork is pretty popular here in the City."
"You don't understand." The woman says. "I want your necklace. I'll pay for it...ten times what it's worth. Ten times what you say it's worth." She has that same smile on her face, the smile that makes you feel slightly edgy, slightly afraid of her. You decide, suddenly, that you want her out of here as fast as you can get her--without your necklace.
"I just told you it's not for sale.” You say, sharpening your voice with an edge of anger. “Now can you please find something else you want to buy?” There’s more than enough for her to fixate on…why is it these people only focus on what you don’t want to sell?
“I want the necklace.” She says. “There’s nothing else in here worth it.” She sweeps over your handmade clothing and jewelry, your fantasy art and the half-dozen unfinished novels languishing in notebooks across your desk. “You’re like so many, trying to cling to a worthless imagining of greatness and glory. You can’t imagine what life is really like—you’re too caught up in what you think it should be! You’re not cut out to handle reality. None of you are. You imagine life to be a kitten, when you’re dancing in the Lion’s paws. And one day you’ll know. One day you’ll find out. Now, give me your necklace. I’ll even let you keep the photographs of you and your father.”
Ok. Now you’re mad. You can’t believe she said that…and about your artwork, the foundation of your life. It’s your one passion, it’s the place where you’re the most vulnerable. Having her say that to you is like a kick in your gut. You can’t imagine someone else saying that to you…you don’t even say that to the artists who don’t even know how to create. How dare this woman say that to you?
You turn on her, ready to scream. “It’s not for sale.” You repeat, even though it’s done you no good. Yet your eyes are flashing fire, your face is cold and impassive, and maybe this time she might listen. Screaming might work where reason has not. “I mean it. I wouldn’t sell my necklace, not even for twenty times what I say it's worth. You can't pay me enough to give it up...and even if you could, I wouldn't sell it to you." You’re all but ready to stare her down.
"You STILL don't understand." The woman said, with a smile and a humorless laugh. "I want it. I WANT it, and telling me 'no' isn't an option. Refusing me isn't an option. I get what I want, no matter how long it takes." She smiled. "I'll pay you whatever you ask, I'll pay a hundred times what you ask. Just give it to me." Her voice takes on that hungry edge again. "Give it to me." She says, like a queen to her lowest servant. “Or else.
You're even angrier now---and even more frightened. You're suddenly reminded of a hungry shark, and you know this woman has even fewer feelings
What do you do?