A Question of Trust

Inés and her friend Leo want to open a bakery. They plan it for two years. Now the lease is ready, but they do not agree. They want different places, and they want different prices.

“It is not the rent,” Leo says. “You never listen.” Inés looks at the contract. “I want a place people can find,” she says. “And you say the cheaper street is good.”

They have two shops. One is big and on the main road. One is small and near the university. Both are expensive, but the small shop is much cheaper. “We argue too much,” Leo says. “We want the same thing,” says Inés.

The phone rings. It is the owner of the big shop. “I give you a discount for three months,” he says. “We do not sign today,” says Inés. “First we look at the numbers.” Leo nods.

They work all evening with a spreadsheet. At midnight, nobody is angry. The numbers are very similar. They choose the small shop: it is cheaper, it has students and it has a big window for the bread.