We’re dead with Doug and Jim. I need to find a new IBM programmer fast. And I’m out three thousand bucks.

I’ve talked to Alick, and half-seriously to Lance (who is a salaried employee of Broderbund). Also considering a couple of conversion houses, like Don Daglow’s; but as The Connelley Group proved on IBM Karateka, the comfort of having an organization is largely illusory. It still comes down to one programmer in the end.

I stopped off in Mill Valley on my way home and had a Bordenave Burger at Phyllis’s. There was a smell of honeysuckle, or something, in the air that broke my heart, it was so beautiful.

Had lunch with Tom Marcus today. I’m trying to grow up.

Went to Las Parrillas in San Rafael for Diana Slade’s goodbye dinner with a dozen other Broderbund receptionists past and present, who all seemed to be about 21. Brian, Peter LaDeau, Matt Siegel and I were the only guys in a sea of Kerris and Kristys.

Afterwards we all went next door to George’s and Brian gave me a serious talking-to about the IBM conversion.  He said that Bill McD, after consultation with Gary and Doug, is planning to make me an offer to do IBM POP as an in-house conversion – ideally, by Lance – at a “reasonable royalty” that “takes everyone’s interests into account.” Meaning they’d go up from the contractual 6%. This is good news. It means they’re as anxious to get the IBM conversion going as I am.  As Brian said: “You have to shit or get off the pot.”

I’ve been sitting on this pot for months now, doing a lot of groaning and pushing, and I have absolutely nothing to show for it.  And I’m out $3250.

Doug came up to me at Happy Hour and said cheerfully: “Hoist on your own petard!” Four years ago, I asked for – and got – the contractual right of first refusal to do my own conversions. They don’t give programmers that right any more, and my flailing about with Doug Greene and Jim St. Louis has just proved why.

I understood what Doug was saying. They’re going to make me an offer, and I should accept it.

Peter LaDeau rescued me from the office (“Come on, man, what are you doing here?”) and brought me to Brian’s house and then to the Gemini Party in Corte Madera. My third night in a row partying with my product manager.

Everybody is convinced POP is going to be a megahit. “It’s another Choplifter!” said Chris Jochumson. Of course, nobody knows anything, but it’s still heartening.

I’m supposed to have three screen shots ready by Wednesday. To say after two and a half years: “This is it – this is what the game looks like, it’s never going to get any better – you can go ahead and photograph it and put it on the box.” This terrifies me.

I’m waiting for Doug or Bill or Gary to call and make me the offer I can’t refuse. Will it be 7%? 8%? 10%? I wish they’d surprise me and offer 10%. But knowing how tight they are with money, I’m expecting between 6 and 7%.

Each royalty point could be worth as much as $10-15,000. So the stakes are quite high. I should drive as hard a bargain as I can.

On the other hand, I’m doing this for love too, not just money.