Comments on: A Rare Opportunity

By: Bug

Bug — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:47:29 +0000

On an unrelated note, Adam, we have found something you may be interested in. There is a contest (well it CALLS itself a contest but it’s more of a free for all) that runs online every year known as NaNoWriMO – the National Novel Writing Month. It runs through the month of November. Every participant has exactly 30 days, Nov 1-30th, to write a novel.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

There is a script writing version that begins after Nano has ended, too, though you can write scripts for nano if you want to. Maybe you’d be itnerested in signing up!

By: The Finch

The Finch — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:18:14 +0000

IT’S A TRAP!

The Phantom is not to be trusted! He’s part of a group called the Kabal, which are a group of people who surely don’t want to get your play published. If anything, I was thinking you could send a copy of your play to me so I can see it and try and get it published, since I do have resources on the side to be, if you would allow the pun, ALIVE on the stage! Just send the work via the email that I was required to use in order to publish this comment. Just imagine: your brilliant work on the stage, people praising the marvelous work of A. Frank, becoming a massive success with people everywhere!

By: Yankee White

Yankee White — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 06:21:55 +0000

I say trust your gut! What do you got to lose?
You’re a smart & cautious man, I’m sure you’ll figure your way out of the situation if it turns bad. This Phantom may be the bad person mentioned above, or maybe not. There’s no way I can know for 100% certain, and no way I can prove to you that this Phantom that has contacted you has nefarious ulterior motives. And going along with the errands seems harmless enough, you can always back out if the requested tasks make you uncomfortable. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I always say!

Just curious, what are the consequences if you back out of the deal and refuse to, or can’t complete all the tasks?

By: fm

fm — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 02:05:19 +0000

Thank you for your advice. I was actually quite curious as to the Phantom’s actual errands. He’s not asking for money, his requests are simply…odd. For instance, one of the requests (by far the most difficult) involved my mailing a banana to Alaska. Dear Readers, I have racked my brain for how this possibly end badly for me, and I have yet to come to an answer.

Still, your warnings are heeded, though I would be remiss to ignore such a tantalizing offer of sponsorship. I will be cautious.

By: QXZenith

QXZenith — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 00:31:24 +0000

Speaking from an artistic perspective, taking this Phantom’s offer is a very bad idea. From what I’ve seen of your play and your talents– as Bug said– your work is incredible, and I have faith that it won’t be long before you get a serious offer to have it produced.
But I am not considering the Phantom’s suggestion as a ‘serious offer’; it sounds indeed like a scam or something far worse.

In the publishing world there are such things as ‘vanity presses’, where for a fee people can have copies of their work printed– I don’t say ‘published’, because every serious part of the industry looks down on people who ‘self-publish’ in this manner. There’s no vetting process and no editing, which means that even if the work IS of quality, it hasn’t been polished to be the best it can be.
It’s the same with this man’s offer, though he’s asking for ‘errands’ instead of money. Your work is good, but if you take up his offer, it will never be as good as it can be; without the experience of submitting, receiving– yes– rejections, and reworking it in order to get that acceptance, you won’t be able to perfect it to the highest degree of excellence which you can achieve.

Moreover, I find it highly disturbing that this shadowy figure knows so much about you and how to reach you– don’t you?
I believe I know who this Phantom of yours is, and none of what I’ve heard of him is good.

BY NO MEANS should you trust this person. Please do NOT take him up on his offer, and AT ALL COSTS do NOT perform any of his errands, no matter how innocuous they may seem. He is NOT to be trusted.

Please believe me; as you know, I’ve given you good advice in the past.
Warmest wishes,
Qara-Xuan

By: Bug

Bug — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:25:32 +0000

Please be careful, Adam. We really don’t trust this Phantom. While he may know of things that will appeal to you personally, and while I susepct you would have good reason to sympathise with many of his beliefs, his methods are anything but good natured and his morality is HIGHLY questionable.

You’re smart, and your play seems like it’ll be amazing and you DESERVE to have it on show, you really do. But I’m not sure this is the way to do it.

Let us know however things go down, and know that you can come to us with any questions you may have.

By: theimprobableone

theimprobableone — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 16:07:30 +0000

I’d be very, very cautious if I were you. As Zup notes, there is definitely a person known as the Phantom who is bad news. If I were in your place, I would turn down his offer. I know how hard that would be; an opportunity to stage your play seems extraordinary. I mean, speaking as one of your readers, I’d love to know your play was actually being performed (unfortunately I don’t have the means to travel to Chicago, so I wouldn’t be able to see the production, but it would be good to know it was out there).

The fact that he already knows your name and address is cause for alarm, too. How did he find such information, and why did he seek it out? He may have been collecting this information for the purpose of manipulating you. He may know much more than he lets on. So be careful.

By: S_o_S

S_o_S — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:37:34 +0000

Adam, I suggest before you go any further with this that you ascertain exactly what it is that “Phantom” wants you to do. You’re an intelligent man, and I have faith that you can make the right decision for yourself. But Zup is right. The possibility exists that it is a coincidence, but it is more than likely not. Be cautious.

By: Zup

Zup — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:34:47 +0000

Recently, there has been a group of people running around trying to coerce and control people like you, who come from far off places. We have ascertained that one of these villains is known as the Phantom. He will likely try to take advantage of you. Be very careful.