body: We're a small software consulting shop. We're close to signing a deal with a client. We also have an independent subcontractor looking to join us.
  
  
  The independent contractor is getting anxious about waiting, so we're planning to give them a payment to keep them on hold for 2 weeks. If our contract from client works out, independent contract will have to join us. Else, they can walk with the money we already paid them.
  
  
  What would such a document be called?
  
  
  
title: What kind of document to keep an independent contractor waiting?