For this thought experiment, imagine that you are free of constraints that limit your sex life (viz, marriage, monogamy, etc.). Further imagine that, for reasons not relevant to this thread, you somehow come (heh) across Mr./Mrs. Bigshot, have a few drinks, and wind up in the sack.
The next morning, you get a call from Bigshot’s lawyer, and she’s using the words “Non-Disclosure Agreement” and “check.”
How much do you take to keep quiet?
Even if the person I boned was none other than Angela Merkel, I’d keep quiet for $100k. That’s more than enough to replace my aging furniture, pay some bills, get a new car, etc.
What, I’m supposed to run to the tabloids and tell all, just because I had a wild night with Angela Lansbury?
Look, if Angela wants to get me something nice as a romantic parting gift, that’s super sweet of her, and just like her. But leaving money on the nightstand just makes me feel cheap. Or maybe that’s what she’s into.
I negotiate for a living; I’d take them for every red cent they were willing to give up.
Mind you, it’s unnecessary, because I would never take any amount to discuss my sex life publicly*, but I wouldn’t tell them that. I might even go so far as to generate some offers from the morning talk shows if I thought they were leaving money on the table, but only as a bargaining chip.
A more interesting question for the OP to ask might be: What is the breakpoint? If Fox & Friends offered you $250k to speak publicly, and your erstwhile partner offered $100k, would you forego the $150k to avoid public scrutiny?
For me, it would require life changing millions to go public, and nothing to keep quiet. Nonetheless once they’ve raised the topic and started a negotiation it’s a matter of principle for me to find their high number and get as close to it as possible.
*Another deal breaker for me would be if the information was in some way relevant to public decision making. Let’s say this was a candidate for public office, running on their character and family values. The voters have a right to know that this is a lying scumbag who tricked me into sleeping with a married man (Something I’d never do knowingly.) That flips the script; it’ll be demmed near impossible to keep me quiet.
I think a nice thank-you note would be enough for me. Maybe throw in a nice bottle of Scotch. Sherry casked Macallan, perhaps. 18 year would be fine. Don’t need to get greedy and ask for the 40-year.
That’s a good way to start. I’d take that number, 10x it and start the negotiation process. It’s very unlikely I’d kiss and tell, but if Ms. Moneybags wants to throw some money at me, I won’t stop her. She has her reasons, and I don’t really care what they are.
I wouldn’t demand anything, but if they’re offering I’d request a cool million. That’s enough to set me up pretty damn good for the future and not completely rake whoever I boned over the coals. I mean, she was nice enough to sleep with me and nice enough to pay me for it, I don’t wan to be TOO greedy.
I am incensed at the offer and refuse the money. I’m a slut, not some filthy whore.
If Ms. Famous wants my autograph that badly (and who could blame her, I was amazing!) she’ll just have to arrange for a reprise rendezvous in, oh, Copenhagen sounds nice.
