Conversations with God Page #6

- Why would you?

Leora, this is gonna be a book.

Not just one book.

This should complete Book One.

I've already got, uh, six more

filled with material for Book Two.

Well- I better get busy.

Thank you.

Uh, listen, I know

I'm not paying you.

- Stop.

- I don't expect you to work for free.

Neale, we're friends.

Besides,just think of all the money

I'll be saving on therapy.

Okay.

I want to make a deal.

If something does

happen from this...

uh, I want to share some

of the profits with you.

If you want to create

abundance for yourself...

create it for someone else.

Did I write that?

My friend, you got yourself a deal.

Doesn't fit into your line of books.

Well, that's the point.

It's not supposed to fit into

anybody's line of books.

Okay, Bob.

Let's see...

if you actually read your own mail.

- Hello.

- Neale Walsch?

- Yeah, used to be.

- Bob Friedman, Hampton Roads Publishing.

Hi, Bob.

You took the dare.

Yes.

And I like your style, Neale.

Don't get what you want,

go right to the top.

Exactly what I would do

if I was a man in your position.

What-What exactly is my position?

You're about to become

a published author, Neale.

- You're-You're kidding.

- I never kid about money.

We're gonna start out

with 5,000 copies.

Okay, what happens after my family

gets done reading it, Bob?

Optimism. I like that.

- I believe in the book.

- So do I.

Which is why we're putting this

on the fast track.

- Okay.

- My office will call your people.

- They'll work out the details.

- Okay. Well, um, um,ju-

Uh, Bob, I am my people.

Not anymore, Neale.

Now you've got yourself a partner.

I'll be in touch.

Yes!

The woman's name is Sharon Parker.

She's a pro. Trust me, Neale.

It shows. Just let me do the talking.

Okay. What about Warner Books?

We still gonna meet with them?

Well, I'll circle back next week

if I have to, but Putnam-

Putnam is the future.

Remember, don't react to

anything Sharon says.

This game is won without emotion.

- Yeah.

- All right? Okay?

Now, let's go have some fun.

I'm sure you're very aware

that we've had numerous inquiries...

from other majors

about Neale's book.

- Any offers?

- Aren't there always, Sharon?

Well, that's what makes life interesting.

Don't you think, Bob?

Did you have an offer

in mind, Sharon?

Well, before

we get to that-

I've been in this business

for over half my life.

And with the exception of four years

at one of the giant firms...

I've been with Putnam,

and I think even Bob will agree...

that that is pretty rare

in our business.

People have no loyalty.

Truth is...

the world we live in

is getting tougher.

Times are changing.

- How much, Sharon?

- Now, you probably wonder why

I am telling you all of this.

- How much, Sharon?

- I am telling you all of this because...

there is at Putnam, I believe,

a soul behind the company.

Yes, we have a lot of titles.

But we also have the ability to maintain

the soul of a small press like Bob's.

And when I heard that Hampton

had your title, I was pleased.

Sharon, how much?

We are prepared to offer you

one million dollars...

for the worldwide rights

to Conversations With God.

Thank you

for the nice words.

I really appreciate them,

as I'm sure Neale does.

And I agree with you.

Rutnam does have a soul.

They also have

buying power.

And unfortunately at that number,

Hampton Roads will have to pass.

Thank you for coming out.

- Neale? Shall we?

- Mm-hmm.

You know, I thought we were coming here

with a very generous offer today, Bob.

So did I.

This guy is booked back-to-back solid

for the next two months, Sharon.

I can't print the book fast enough.

And I think we can both agree,

this is merely the tip of

a very big iceberg.

Come on, Sharon.

- I thought you said you liked the book.

- I do like the book, Bob.

And I'm prepared to give you

one million reasons why I like it.

- We can do a million on our own.

- Oh.

In fact, we'll send you

a postcard when we do.

- Neale.

- Mmm.

Time to go.

Uh, thank you.

Thank you.

What, are you crazy?

- Wait for it.

- That's a lot of money.

- I said-

- Bob!

Wait for it.

One-five. Take it or leave it.

So, why do you want the book?

Well,you might think this is

a little old-fashioned...

but I think your book

could change the world.

- It's-

- Yours.

It's hers, Bob.

- It's mine.

- Of course.

- At 1.5 million.

- Yes, Bob.

At 1.5 million.

Neale, why don't you pick up

the check for us?

I'm gonna walk Sharon out,

tie up a few loose ends.

- I'll be back in a few minutes.

- Okay.

Bob, thank you.

Thank you, Sharon.

Congratulations, Neale.

Michael.

- Okay, now, listen-

- Nicely done.

I'm so glad you think so.

The book cover, we're keeping that.

I have some very

definite ideas about it.

I've got the artwork

already laid out.

I think you just need

to take a look at it.

Uh, could I have the check, please?

- Sorry about that.

- Not at all.

- What're you reading?

- Economics.

- I have a test in 45 minutes,

and I'm dreading it.

- Oh.

- You in university?

- Twelve credits to go, and I'm done.

Just in time for summer, I guess.

Well, maybe by next summer

if I'm lucky.

I have a son. Between day care

and my other job and class...

things, uh- they move

a little slower in my life.

Well, good luck on the test.

Thank you.

More coffee?

No, I'm, uh- I'm so very good.

- Thanks.

- All right.

Thank you.

- Oh, my God!

- My God too.

This is a small percentage?

It was a really big check.

Neale, forgive me.

I don't wanna seem ungrateful.

But this is a lot of money.

I thought you could use it for the-

for the remodeling.

- You know, you could do it up right.

- Neale, I can't take this.

Leora, I want you to have this.

Also, by the way, we did make a deal, right?

Hmm?

Tommy, Neale's here!

- Tell him to come in.

- You're staying for breakfast.

- We need to celebrate.

- Okay.

What are you having?

Come on, Neale. It'll add one,

maybe two days in Russia.

- That's all they're asking.

- Well, I don't care what they're asking.

I'm not gonna do it.

I haven't been home in two weeks.

- I'm tired.

- Just think about it.

"Just think about it. "

Whose side are you on anyway?

God's.

You know, I wish I-I wish I knew.

Um, maybe it's because

I've screwed up so much of my life.

I don't know. What I do know

is that this is not about me.

It's- It's about Leora, I think.

- Um, what-

- I've been to your lectures, Mr. Walsch.

And I read your book...

about how God is this friendly god

and the universe is a friendly place.

And you don't-

you don't believe that.

I believe your god

is a vengeful god.

I adopted my son

when he was six months old...

because I was told I could

never have children.

And we never told Jimmy

that he was adopted until, um...

he was old enough to

understand what that meant.

And at 14, we decided it was time.

His grades fell off.

His whole attitude changed.

I mean, he got

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