Agents

I wouldn't mind ending my career with a better relationship with an agent than I've had recently. Over a long career I've had a few, for both screenwriting, playwriting and fiction. The best two I lost through no fault of my own. One, handling my plays, didn't like the way theater was changing in the country (more bottom line oriented, like all the arts) and got out of the business to have babies instead. She's the one who flew to Portland to meet me and told me NW then was like Greenwich Village used to be. "Don't let it change." Yeah, right. Only ten years later it was gentrified yuppieville. The other got wooed by a super agency and could only take clients with her that had earned a million in the last five years, which alas I had not. She said I was one of her favorite clients, too -- that when I made a million, give her a buzz. Yeah, right. I said that all ready.

Otherwise relationships with agents have been pretty project-centered and if the project doesn't move quickly, they lose interest. The two above loved my work and were really dedicated to sticking with it and with me (well, until their circumstances changed). I miss a close relationship like that. After the good phone chat with the agent in Chicago, who wanted five specific screenplays, I harbor hopes against my better judgement that something wonderful might come from it. You'd think I'd know better ha ha. What's that cliche about hope and eternity?