I need quick advise!

Someone contacted me this morning to work at their company picnic on Saturday (in couple of days),

she mentioned that since this is last minute, if I will be okay if I get the check next week since their accounting is in Washington, and it takes few days to cut a check, I really dont want to bend my rules, but i also dont want to miss this gig.

any advise? what would you do?

PayPal. She, or someone there, must have a corporate credit card, right?

Or, at the very least, someone has a personal credit card to use via PayPal and they can get reimbursed from their work. I've had clients do that before.

That's what I'd do...tell her you can send her a Paypal invoice and whatever you do, have them sign a service contract...especially if you proceed without prepayment.

I'm a freelance writer too and I'd sooner wait for a cheque for facepainting. I always get that within a week or two it can take 60-90 days to get a cheque for freelancing. You have to consider the size and success of the company, how close they are to you geographically and the possibility of future events. Some of my best gigs are repeat company picnics and Christmas parties. My policy is "pay on day of the event" but I do make exceptions and people really do appreciate when you go out of your way when they are in a last minute bind.

Thanks! I asked if she will be open to pay me and get reimbursed, lets see what she comes up with... lol
I have a Paypal account but i I am not sure how to send invoices, get the money out of there, etc.

this is getting interesting... this woman said that they only issue checks on Wednesdays, and there is no way around it since its a really big company.
I didnt respond yet but thought Okay, I'll do it, and I have a feeling it will be fine.
while im ready to respond to her email, I get another email from a lady who contacted me 3 weeks ago, was really not communicative! 6 days ago she said they are interested, I sent her my contract, and never got anything back, sent her email yesterday to call me ASAP if they are still interested, nothing until noon today. saying that she is so sorry again and they are expecting me on Saturday... REALLY??? So now I am going to tell her its too late...

Being as I do the accounting as my day job, I totally understand where she os coming from. I would not pay for our company "anything" and then wait for reimbursement. Maybe she is living week to week and cannot afford to pay and wait for reimbursement.
If it is a large company (do some reseach) and just ahev them issue a cheque next Wednesday. Make sure they sign a contract thought just guaranteeing amount due for such and such services on this date.
Corporate jobs are hard to come by and getting your foot in the door is a great thing. Especially being newer.
I am sure things will be fine. If you send too many mistrust messages, she may just look elsewhere. Someone who will wait for payment.

Keep us posted.

I said YES to her after I spoke to her on the phone, and asked her if she can personally follow up with it and making sure that I get paid, she agreed.

I sent her my contract and invoice, and I am happy I did.

with the other booking, I wrote to her that I was sorry but had to book with someone else since I haven't heard back from her, It has been a week since i sent her my contract, I also called her, (after she finally left her number today) to make sure she got my email. she was SO RUDE!
she said, but i just emailed you, I told her that I even waited for todays mail, and when I got nothing from them I booked with the other person, She then RAISED her voice, saying "OKAY! THANK YOU" and hanged up!
sorry miss-thinking-the-world-is-working-by-what-you-speak-to-yourself-in your-own-head... MAN!!!