Chapter 2 - Where the Truth Lies
By Rupert Holmes
Dear Miss O’Connor:
I am a partner in the law firm of Weisner, Hillman and Dumont, which currently represents Mr. Lanny Morris on a wide range of business affairs. We are in receipt of your letter of July 19, which was in response to a letter from my senior partner Mr. John Hillman dated July 11, which was in turn a reply to your initial letter of June 28 regarding a proposed book about our client, to be written by you for Neuman and Newberry Publishing, Inc.
Mr. Hillman has asked me to relay to you that he has indeed spoken again personally with Mr. Morris regarding both of your letters, and can reconfirm for you that our client has no interest at this time in assisting any biographical efforts regarding his life or career, or the life or career of his former partner, Mr. Vince Collins. The monetary terms and royalties you proposed on Neuman and Newberry’s behalf, while both considerable and appropriate for an artist of Mr. Morris’ stature in the entertainment industry, do not enter into this decision. Money is not an issue here. With all due respect, our client is simply not interested in the project you propose.
We are not, as your second letter seems to suggest, unaware of your own credentials, which are quite impressive for someone to have accrued in only, as you state, “the five years since [your] first published article.” Actually, Mr. Hillman informs me he read and enjoyed a piece you wrote about the jazz musician Miles Davis for Esquire magazine last year. Our client’s decision is not a personal or professional rejection of either you or the generous offer proposed by you on behalf of Neuman and Newberry.
In point of fact, it is my understanding that Mr. Morris is well under way with the writing of his memoirs, and therefore would clearly not wish to undercut his own autobiographical efforts by lending support or assistance to a third-party effort, since his own recollections will provide the public with the most accurate and personal account of his memorable career.
Please be advised that we are prepared to exercise all our client’s rights and options to prevent any unauthorized or unlicensed works trading upon the life, name, or likeness of Mr. Morris, and will pursue all legal remedies at our disposal to discourage same.
Very truly yours,
[Signed: Warren Richter]
Warren Richter, Esq.
WR:ah
cc: Mr. John Hillman, Esq.
Mr. Lanny Morris