The Hour Before the Recording

As a freelance sound technician, Tilda charged for the time she spent recording. She arrived early, carried equipment upstairs and tested every cable before the performers appeared. Those preparations never reached her invoices because she considered them part of being professional.

One month, she seemed busy every day but had less paid work than she expected. She began recording all her working time in a notebook, including preparation and packing. The missing hours were not mysterious. They were sitting on staircases and winding cables while her official clock was stopped.

For the next booking, Tilda sent an estimate that listed setup, recording and packing separately. The organiser asked why the price was higher than before. Tilda explained the work involved and offered a shorter recording session if the budget was fixed. After checking the programme, the organiser accepted that option.

The event ended slightly earlier, and Tilda had time to pack carefully instead of rushing for the last bus. Her invoice matched the agreed schedule. At home, she crossed out the old heading in her notebook, which said 'extra tasks'. Beneath it, she wrote 'working time'. The new words did not make every client easier to deal with, but they helped her describe the job she was actually doing.