Nobody needs another pen

Shadow Bella first. She wins the argument with questions, not orders. Let "And how many of them came from a company you remember?" rise slowly, so Jake has time to see where it's going. Then take Jake's part. He gives in with good humor; make "Okay, none" sound like a laugh at himself.

1. JakeBella, the order for the swag bags is due today. I'm thinking pens, stickers, and a mug.
2. BellaPens? Jake, how many free pens do you have at home?
3. JakeI don't know. Forty?
4. BellaAnd how many of them came from a company you remember?
5. JakeOkay, none. But pens are cheap. We can fill two thousand bags.
6. BellaTwo thousand bags that end up in hotel trash cans all over Chicago. Every booth gives out the same things.
7. JakeSo what do you want to give them? We make bike parts. We're not a luxury brand.
8. BellaExactly. So let's give out something a cyclist would actually use. A small repair kit.
9. JakeA repair kit? That's at least four dollars each.
10. BellaSo we make five hundred bags instead of two thousand, and we give them to real buyers.
11. JakeHow do we know who's a real buyer?
12. BellaThey talk to us for five minutes. Then they get the bag. Not before.
13. JakeI like that. It makes the bag feel like a reward.
14. BellaAnd it stands out. People will ask each other what's in it.
15. JakeFine. Five hundred kits with our logo. But I'm keeping the stickers. People love stickers.
16. BellaDeal. Stickers stay. Pens go.
17. JakeI'll call the supplier before lunch. Do you think they can do it in two weeks?
18. BellaAsk. If they can't, we'll find someone who can.