Rooftop or ballroom

Shadow Mia first. She's managing Omar gently: facts first, then the option she wanted all along. Let "Actually, yes" carry a small, pleased smile. Then take Omar's part. He decides fast and loud; "Definitely the rooftop" is confident, and "Clever" is half impressed, half caught.

1. MiaOmar, I need a decision on the venue for the client evening. Today, if possible.
2. OmarThe rooftop. Definitely the rooftop. The view of Dubai is the whole point.
3. MiaI love it too. But it's outdoors, and October evenings are still in the high eighties.
4. OmarThe high eighties? At night?
5. MiaAt eight p.m., yes. Guests in jackets will be miserable.
6. OmarHmm. What about the ballroom?
7. MiaCool, comfortable, and it holds more people. But it has no windows.
8. OmarSo we invite them to Dubai and give them a room that could be anywhere.
9. MiaThat's the problem. What's the headcount right now?
10. OmarAbout ninety confirmed. Maybe a hundred and ten by Friday.
11. MiaThe rooftop takes a hundred and twenty. So we'd fit, but only barely.
12. OmarIs there a middle option?
13. MiaActually, yes. The hotel has a glass terrace on the thirtieth floor. Same view, with air conditioning.
14. OmarWhy didn't you start with that?
15. MiaBecause it's fifteen percent over budget. I wanted you to love it before you saw the price.
16. OmarClever. Can we save somewhere else?
17. MiaIf the hotel caters instead of the outside company, we'd save about the same amount.
18. OmarIs the hotel's food any good?
19. MiaI tried it last week. It's very good. Better desserts, too.
20. OmarThen book the terrace. And tell the hotel we're serious about those desserts.