I had been planning to pay that first installment. I had it budgeted, mentally allocated, ready. That allocation was now in question.
I kept reading. The contract had a cancellation clause, which I had read before and which now had a different quality: cancellation before thirty days of the event would result in forfeiture of the deposit and a cancellation fee equivalent to twenty-five percent of the remaining balance. That meant if I tried to cancel the contract right now, I would lose the twenty-four hundred dollar deposit and also owe an additional eighteen hundred dollars as a cancellation fee. Cancellation was not a viable or desirable option. I was not looking for cancellation anyway. That would end the event and penalize me further, and I was not interested in ending the event. I was interested in not paying for it.
The transfer clause was what I found. Section 7.3. I read it carefully.
In the event of a change in client circumstances, Willowmere Hall may, at its discretion, agree to a transfer of client status and associated financial responsibilities to a new named client. Such transfer requires the written agreement of Willowmere Hall management, the original signing client, and the incoming client. All documentation must be completed and countersigned by all parties no later than thirty calendar days prior to the contracted event date. Upon completion of a valid transfer, the original client is released from remaining payment obligations. Previously paid deposits and fees are not subject to return or transfer.