A strikingly handsome young man walked into the office of a Hollywood
agent with his resume and portfolio in hand. The agent reviewed the young
man's slim resume and small portfolio with the care that was deserving of
his fine young specimen.
"You have the very obvious good looks and excellent demeanor of an
actor. Tell me, have you had any roles that I might be aware of."
"Other than the requisite high school and college plays, no sir." said
the handsome young man.
"I dare say I know the reason why, with a name like yours." said the
agent.
"Sir?"
"Your name, Penus Van Lesbian. That's not a name that will go far in
Hollywood. I'd love to represent you, but you'll have to change your
name."
"Sir," the handsome young man protested. "The Van Lesbian name was my
father's, my grandfather's and his father's name. We have carried this
name for generations and I will not change it for Hollywood or any other
reason."
"If you won't change your name, I cannot represent you young man."
"Then I bid you farewell-my name will not change."
With that, Penus Van Lesbian left the agents office never to return.
Five Years Later...
The Hollywood agent returned to his office after lunch with some
producers and shuffled through his mail. Mostly junk mail, trade journals
and the like.
There was one letter. He opened the envelope and removed the letter.
As he unfolded the fine linen paper, a check dropped from the folds
and onto his desk. He looked at the check. It was for 50,000 dollars!
He read the letter:
Dear Sir,
Several years ago, I entered your office determined to become an
actor. You refused to represent me unless I changed my name. I objected,
saying the Penus Van Lesbian name had been carried for generations and left
your office. However, upon leaving, I chanced to reconsider my hastiness
and after considerable reflection, I decided to heed your advise and
endeavored to change my name.
Now I am a famous actor with many roles and known to millions worldwide.
Having achieved this fame and fortune, it is often that I think back
to my meeting with you and your insistence that I change my name.
I owe you a debt of gratitude, so please accept this check with my
humble thanks, for it was your idea which has brought me to such
wealth and fame.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Dick Van Dyke
agent with his resume and portfolio in hand. The agent reviewed the young
man's slim resume and small portfolio with the care that was deserving of
his fine young specimen.
"You have the very obvious good looks and excellent demeanor of an
actor. Tell me, have you had any roles that I might be aware of."
"Other than the requisite high school and college plays, no sir." said
the handsome young man.
"I dare say I know the reason why, with a name like yours." said the
agent.
"Sir?"
"Your name, Penus Van Lesbian. That's not a name that will go far in
Hollywood. I'd love to represent you, but you'll have to change your
name."
"Sir," the handsome young man protested. "The Van Lesbian name was my
father's, my grandfather's and his father's name. We have carried this
name for generations and I will not change it for Hollywood or any other
reason."
"If you won't change your name, I cannot represent you young man."
"Then I bid you farewell-my name will not change."
With that, Penus Van Lesbian left the agents office never to return.
Five Years Later...
The Hollywood agent returned to his office after lunch with some
producers and shuffled through his mail. Mostly junk mail, trade journals
and the like.
There was one letter. He opened the envelope and removed the letter.
As he unfolded the fine linen paper, a check dropped from the folds
and onto his desk. He looked at the check. It was for 50,000 dollars!
He read the letter:
Dear Sir,
Several years ago, I entered your office determined to become an
actor. You refused to represent me unless I changed my name. I objected,
saying the Penus Van Lesbian name had been carried for generations and left
your office. However, upon leaving, I chanced to reconsider my hastiness
and after considerable reflection, I decided to heed your advise and
endeavored to change my name.
Now I am a famous actor with many roles and known to millions worldwide.
Having achieved this fame and fortune, it is often that I think back
to my meeting with you and your insistence that I change my name.
I owe you a debt of gratitude, so please accept this check with my
humble thanks, for it was your idea which has brought me to such
wealth and fame.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Dick Van Dyke
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