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Show 90 "This is our contract," she explained. "I'll be getting your signatures today, then we'll leave one copy with your teacher. Your check will arrive a few weeks .after receipt of the manuscript." Ms. Goddard hesitated when the class didn't react. "You know you're being paid, don't you?" Parker looked at Jan. He didn't know. Did she? Jan and the others looked around in astonishment. "You're gonna pay us?" Eccles squeaked. Barbara turned to Mrs. Simpson. "You didn't tell them?" "No, I didn't. They wrote the story out of love and conviction. The money wouldn't have made it any better." "Well, then, I do bring you a pleasant surprise! Standard guild fee for a story like this is 525.00." The class, suddenly forsaking its reserve, buzzed with excitement. Parker did some quick figuring in his head to determine his share. Down-payment on a new rope! Wow! Ms. Goddard kept talking. "This film writer's contract will be between 20th Century Film Corporation and Mrs. Kate Simpson, in trust for the rest of you." She flipped to the second page. "Over here, E under 4, you'll notice we're giving all of you screen credits on one card. Now, don't blink, watching the TV that night, or you'll miss seeing your name. The exposure's about four seconds." Nervous laughs rippled through the class. While she went over the other points in the contract, the guy from the Associated Press began snapping pictures from different spots around the room. Impulsive as always, Dyna turned around and crossed her eyes at Parker- She would! There wouldn't have been a story without her, but sure enough, she'd be the one to show up with crossed eyes in the nation's newspapers. "Control yourself," he whispered, poking her with his pencil eraser, then watched her shoulders jiggle as she failed to control herself. Most of the hour was gone when Phillip de Costa got his turn with the class, but Mrs. Simpson said they could overstay the bell. "After a month of first period crises," she laughed, "second period automatically goes to the library." "I wish we had time to read this manuscript together," Mr. de Costa said as he made himself comfortable sitting on the desk. "I'd like to |
