pure fiction

 Then Ann starts asking Donald questions about certain parts of the book - "When he picks up the other girl instead of seeing Rosemary - is that the time you broke our date at the last minute and you said you were sick?"

Donald:

Of course not.

------------------------- She goes on, asking him about a couple of other scenes in the book - "Is this like that other time when you..."

        She is doing the same thing her father did - she is wondering if Donald is writing about his own feelings and activities when he describes attitudes and actions of the fictional character "Michael."

        He answers each of her questions with a "No."

Ann:

You mean to say that none of Michael's experiences are based on any of your experiences?

Donald:

Right.  [pause]  Practically none.

Ann:

Practically?

Donald:

Honey, what I'm trying to explain is, that every writer subconsciously includes bits and pieces of himself in every character he writes.  

Ann:

Page thirty-seven?

Donald:

No.

Ann:

Forty-five?

Donald:

No.

Ann:

Oh, Donald, not 61 through 68!

Donald:

Will you cut it out?  The characters of Michael and Rosemary are absolutely, and unequivocally, not modeled after you and me.

Ann:

Donald - I can certainly see that Rosemary and I are nothing alike.  

(a little uneasy) - I just wasn't too sure about you and Michael.

Donald:

Honey, listen to me.  City Of Strangers is an exercise in imagination.  It's a pure fiction.  I dreamed up the story, and the characters, and put them down on a piece of paper because I thought the idea was important enough.  That's all there is to it.  Understand?

Ann (since Don has reassured her, her state of mind changes to calm, and sincere) -

I think it's a very good book, Donald.  I really do.

Donald:

Thank you.

Ann:

You know, if the parts without paper clips are as good as the parts with paper clips, I think it could be a bestseller!

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