“Well, if you really decide you want someone to write your story, you might want to meet a writer I know and trust. He teaches here in Athens, at Ohio University. One of his books was made into a movie. I mention this only so that you can examine all the possibilities.”

“You think a real writer would want to write a book about me?”

“It wouldn’t hurt to meet him and see what he thinks.” “Okay, that’s a good idea. I’d like that.”

That night Billy tried to imagine what it would be like to talk to an author. He tried to visualize the man. Probably be wearing a tweed jacket and smoking a pipe, like Arthur. How good could he be if he had to teach at a university? An author should be someone who lived in New York or Beverly Hills. And why was Dr. Caul recommending him? He had to be careful. Gary had said there could be a lot of money in a book. And a movie. He wondered who would play his part.

He tossed and turned through the night, excited and frightened at the prospect of talking to a real author whose own book had been made into a movie. When he finally fell asleep at dawn, Arthur decided that Billy was incapable of handling the interview with the writer. Allen would have to take the spot. “Why me?” Allen asked.

“You re the manipulator. Who is better qualified to be on the alert and make sure Billy’s not being conned?”

“Always the front man,” grumbled Allen.

“That's what you’re best at,” Arthur said.

The next day, when Allen met the writer, he was shocked and disappointed. Instead of a tall, glamorous author, he saw a short, thin man with a beard and glasses, wearing a tan corduroy sports coat.

Dr. Caul introduced them, and they went into his office to talk. Allen settled back on the leather settee and lit a cigarette. The writer sat across from him and lit his pipe. Just like Arthur. They chatted for a while and then Allen brought up the subject.

“Dr. Caul said you might be interested in the rights to my story,” Allen said. “What do you think it’s worth?”

The writer smiled and puffed away. “That depends. I’d have to know more about you to be sure there’s a story a publisher might be interested in. Something that goes beyond what’s already been published in the newspapers and Time and Newsweek.

Caul smiled and laced his fingers across his stomach. “You can be sure of that.”

Allen hunched forward, elbows on his knees. “There is. A lot more. But I’m not giving it away for nothing. My lawyers in Columbus told me that a lot of people are after the rights. A guy came out from Hollywood to make an offer for TV and movie rights, and theres a writer flying in this week with an offer and a contract. ”

“That sounds promising,” the writer said. “With all the publicity you’ve had, I’m sure a lot of people would like to read the story of your life.” ,