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 What book do you wish you had written? What would you change in your version?

The editor lowered the script with a sigh after reading the ending again.

"Listen, William," he said. "I still think the story has a better ending here, with the two lovers dying beside each other."

"Yes and no," William replied. "But this isn't about story. It is about about marketing! Franchises! Money! The ending after that is critical for hooking audiences, and ensuring they come back for the sequel."

"So, that's why--"

"That's why we need the vile witch to appear at this moment, and reanimate both lovers into a wretched unlife, so that they might seek vengeance against their families!"

The editor and the playwright stared at each other silently for several seconds.

"Well, keep working on that," the editor concluded. "In the meantime, I will submit the shortened script to the Rose, so they can begin pre-production. Once you're finished, we shall see what they say about it. God willing, this Romeo & Juliet will be a hit either way."

(written 2021 January 28)