YES, MR.DEMILLE (1959)

262 Yes, Mr. DeMille he was on the books for 10 per cent of 2 million dollars plus 5 per cent of three-quarters of a million, or a total in excess of $200,000. Fresh efforts were directed at the mysterious slowdown in the next few days. Ringling personnel were at our disposal but the two groups weren't meshing. Precious hours were wasted in waiting for a workman or piece of equipment. DeMille was growing desperate. "Maybe I should give them a million dollars and get the hell out of here/* Roy Burns, DeMille's durable business manager of many years, struck at the problem realistically. "We can't expect these circus people to pitch in with the same vigor as our own crew- men. We're down here on their grounds, taking over the winter quarters. I think we ought to pass around a few gratuities to show how much we really appreciate their co-operation." The per diem cost of the location was astronomical; DeMille could well afford to adopt a beneficient attitude. Good-will offerings were made, $1,000 here, $5,000 there. To a skilled key man, Burns handed a check for $25,000. There was nothing untoward about the offer or its acceptance; it would be worth the price to have the Sarasota stay shortened a few days by effort beyond what might be reasonably expected. The following evening this key individual appeared in De- Mille's suite at the Ringling hotel. He handed the producer the check for $25,000, saying it might not be wise to keep the money as it might be construed in the wrong light. The check was torn up in the visitor's presence, and he left. DeMille, his face cast in worry, turned to Burns. "Roy, we're in trouble," "But we saved $25,000!" DeMille shook his head. "I cannot agree. That man turned his back on $25,000. No one does that. Take my word for it, we're in trouble." DeMille kept a sharp eye on the man, expecting some devilish