Fine Print·Episode 3 of 3·4:58
The Baker's Name
A contracts lawyer challenges a fae bargain to recover her sister’s stolen memories. But the fae king has come for another contract: the one their mother signed, promising her firstborn daughter to him on her thirty-first birthday. Tonight, the lawyer must choose her own title: his advocate or his bride.
Read transcript
Thirty years ago, I sold my name to the king's clerk.
My daughter marries on Saturday when they name the bride's mother.
I want to hear it
What is your name?
I can't say it.
Zofia Novak
Did you say it?
Her name, for a shop that will never fail.
until it is remade freely.
Every bargain my kind writes ends with that line.
Remade by whom?
By the one whose name or self it promised away
and the fae who holds it.
Defined freely.
You can't lie to me.
No threat between them. Nothing else owed. And her price is one
she'd give for nothing.
Did he keep his side?
Bread in the window every morning, he kept his side.
And you clerk? Does she still owe you anything?
No.
Offer him something you'd give anyway.
I leave bread for half my street anyway, a loaf on your step every
Sunday for my name.
I have kept her name all this time. It has never done
anything for me.
You can't eat a name, Clerk.
You can eat bread.
And let the shop take its chances, I want my name on the door.
Accepted. Freely.
Zofia.
Zofia, that's me, that's my name.
Who will you tell first?
My daughter, before Saturday, I never told her what I sold.
Before tonight, I had never seen a mortal bargain
with my kind freely.
Then I could remake mine with you.
The clerk could demand nothing more of her.
I can still demand you.
So I'd be bargaining not to be taken.
Not freely.
Not while my claim still hangs over you.
Mom never told us either.
Then make her.
Want me to call her?
No. It's mine to ask.
Mom, it's me.
I know what day it is, so do you.
I read your contract.
Not on the phone you came for my birthday so come my office now
Stay. I want her to see you.
Mom!
Corvane.
Your kind give their names only to equals.
I gave her mine.
Me? You swore she would hear it from me?