[Avodah] Halachic who is right from "The Lost Scotch"

[Samuel Svarc]

A new book came out called "The Lost Scotch". It has short stories that ends
with who is right? I've posted a fuller review on Areivim that I urge all to
check out, as well as the book. I will quote one story (abridged) so we here
on Avodah can debate the author's halachic conclusions.

"The Wedding Singer"

The chosson, Yehoshua, as a surprise for his kallah, Devorah, hires a
singer, Davidi, to sing certain songs, that both the Yehoshuah and Devorah
were fond of at the chasunah.

Davidi shows up at chasunah, as planned, and upon conferring with the band
leader, discovers, to his shock, that Devorah, to *surprise* Yehoshuah, has
hired Chaim ben Zundel (you gotta love these names!), the composer of these
songs, to sing at the chasunah.

Understandably, Davidi doesn't end up singing at the chasuna, being
overshadowed by the surprise appearance of Chaim ben Zundel.

When he comes to collect his fee from the Yehoshua, Yehoshua declines,
telling him in effect, "L'massie, to both of our surprise, you didn't end up
singing. So what am I paying you for?".

Davidi claims that he turned down two other weddings because he had
committed to come to Yehoshua's.

WHO IS RIGHT?

KT,
MSS