Okay, my friend (Betty’s friend) is in a bit of a quandary. He wrote a musical and his good friend of three years wrote a play. There is a striking similarity between a situation in the musical and one in the play. The style and tone are quite different, but this striking similarity is of the far-too-coincidental variety. That issue has become secondary to the lack of empathy and receptivity displayed by my friend’s playwright friend. It’s upsetting enough to be betrayed by someone you trust and care about. On top of that, to have your concerns and hurt feelings be basically dismissed is inexcusable.

Creative people are essentially collectors. We constantly take note of little stories, vignettes, news items, characters that come our way. We frequently, inadvertently, use these tidbits without always remembering the source. It’s the nature of how we process the world around us.

In the end, the people we care about are all we have, and to disrespect that is a true sin. To behave as honorably as we can and to listen to one another is what redeems us at the end of the day.

Needless to say, I am beyond disgusted with my friend’s “friend”.