Don't give in!
Pandora, you should go indy, you're too smart to need an agency. Don't give up perb, just don't work for someone who wants to make money off you while giving you none of the credit . You strike me as someone very independant who's can do without the catty bs and jelousy that is prevalent at agencys (I've been there too.) Just don't make the same mistake I did in trying to find a reliable business partner to share a workspace with, trust me they don't exist. Booking problems, personality conflicts or moral issues are all non-existent when you work alone.
Living and working from home is absolute heaven, I assure you! How hard is it to get a cell phone and place an ad in monday? Yet agency owners expect you to owe them your life for something you could do better. Good for you for doing the vanc trips by the way, you seem like a hard worker, and you are braver than I am.
Good luck chica, Lucy