TLS: Monday, December 30, 1918

West Point Pleasant,
New Jersey.
December 30, 1918.

My dear Mr. Madden:

Many thanks for the dope in regard to the Williams' agreement. It sure was an eye-opener. I always knew my rating as a keen business man might justly be placed a zero but I'm afraid now it will have to be set back in the minus column. However, I agree with your estimate of John D., and think he can be relied on to keep the spirit of the contract rather than take advantage of the unfair omissions.

As for clause twelve - options on future plays - the agreement reads "in consideration of the terms of this contract", as you say; but if Williams does not produce the play before the first of April, or fails in the further payment due the first of January, - (I surely hope that clause is valid!) - then, according to clause ten, the whole agreement would come to an end. Doesn't this cover the option thing with all the rest?

I am not worrying about the play. If W. isn't able to do it, someone else will. There are two prominent managers I know of who have heard of the play from real people who have read it and they are anxious to have a look. In case W falls down - which God forbid! - I will tell you who these men are and, if you desire to take up the play at that time, you can tackle them the first thing.

But it's hell waiting for a production - the playwright's own private hell!

I don't expect to be in New York for some time - not until I'm compelled to go. Have a lot of work to do - getting one-act plays ready for book publication, revising and typing my new long play, after that starting another I have mapped out - and I've never been able to write a line in the couple of months a year I've previously spent in New York. So you can send any agreement to me here whenever you care to have it made out.

I feel fine and full of working pep now, thank you. Also many thanks for the season's compliments. The same to you and then some.

Very sincerely yours,

Eugene G. O'Neill.