Law for Business 10th Edition by James Barnes,Terry Dworkin,Eric Richards

Exercise 6

Saunder was a friend and employee of Baryshnikov, helping him to adjust to his new life after defecting from the U.S.S.R. and becoming premier dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre. She translated for him; handled his correspondence, appointments, and dinners; oversaw his interior decorations; hired help; and made travel arrangements. She became a signatory on his checking account. Baryshnikov was generous in his gratitude, giving her interest-free loans (many of which were never repaid) and cars, taking her on several foreign dance tours, and paying a large portion of her living expenses. After six years, she was put on an annual salary of $20,000. Later the arrangement fell through, and Saunder sued for $1 million, claiming Baryshnikov had promised to take care of her and her financial needs for life in exchange for the substantial services she had performed for him. Is the promise Saunder alleges too vague to be enforced?