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334 SELLING THE SCRIPT Do not suggest that he is a thief and the servant of a thief. Most companies have a watchdog of the treasury who has a permanent case of writer's cramp. You are entitled to your money and should have received it, but it will get you nowhere to demand where a request will serve as well. If you do not receive your money within thirty days make one more effort. Write: Cashier, Union Film Company, New York City. Dear sir : On April first I returned to your company a release slip for my story, "We Two and Ben.'' No check for the same has been received. Will you please give this matter your immediate attention. Very truly, A. AUTHOR. If you receive no reply to this letter, do not waste further time or postage. The company evidently does not meet its obligations. You will not care to deal with them in the future. Turn the matter over to an attorney for collection. 34. Although you have submitted your story "at usual rates," you do not thereby legally bind yourself to accept whatever the company sees fit to send and a legal title does not pass to the company until you have accepted their money or have cashed their check. If the payment is small you do not have to accept it, but it is better to do so than to get the reputation of being a troublemaker. If you are offered twenty dollars and you think that you should receive at least twenty-five, it is better to take the twenty and mark a price on scripts that you send them later. On the other hand, if the company offers you five dollars for a reel, write them that you supposed that they paid in accordance with custom and return the check. Simply say: Stinger Film Co., New York City. Dear sirs : I am returning herewith the check for five dollars sent me for my story. "The Laborer and His Hire." This story was sub- mitted' at usual rates, but in the belief that you were paying usual rates and not such insignificant sums. Please either send a check for $25 or make an immediate return of my manuscript. Very truly, A. AUTHOR. If the company gets nasty and intimates you are holding them up because you know that the script is made, advise them that if they use the property of others before acquiring title it is no concern of yours. One company bought a large stock of scripts for a dollar a reel, and took a pride in the fact. Even the idea for a one reel story should be worth ten dollars if it is worth anything at all and the idea for a three reel plot cannot be worth less than twenty-five dollars. If you offer stories at usual rates be willing to take a minimum, but do not permit yourself to be swindled.