Negotiation

James Thurber, short-story writer, humorist, and columnist for The New Yorker was once offered a writing job by Sam Goldwyn.

It was right after Thurber’s short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty had been made into a hit movie.

Goldwyn offered $500 a week but Thurber was very happy to continue working for Harold Ross at The New Yorker. He wrote back to Goldwyn, declining the offer by saying, “Mr. Ross has met the increase.”

Goldwyn wrote back, raising the offer to $1,000 a week, then $1,500 and finally $2,000.

Each time, Thurber responded that Mr. Ross had met the increase.  Goldwyn lost interest but later wrote again, this time offering only $1,500.

Thurber wrote back, declining the offer with an explanation that “Mr. Ross has met the decrease.”