Would you end a friendship for fortune?

[Stackys]

Say you wrote something. Whilst doing so a friend wanted to get involved so wrote a scene for your story. You both loved it. You submitted the whole story. You are then told that your story will be published with film rights if you get rid of the one scene your mate wrote. Basically you will become rich, your mate won’t and the friendship will be over.

WWYD

(Theoretical of course)

Cut the scene and publish. Blame the editor!

@blankiefan that’s what I was thinking but friendship will still suffer ...

Cut the scene!

I'd let them cut the scene but would explain to my friend that it was editor's decision and offer them a percentage of the money that is equal to the one scene (e.g., 3%).

Is this a slightly upmarket version of the bit in X Factor where one person is plucked from a pair / group to join audition again with the manufactured group?

I’d take the money.

I’d definitely let my mate hang out at my future cool events to network though.

I’d explain what has happened, and hope they could be happy for me and not let it ruin the friendship.
If they couldn’t be happy for me, even if inwardly upset for a time, then I’d feel that we weren’t good enough friends anyway.

Cut the scene but still give % royalties based on the original proportion. If an actors scene gets filmed but is then cut they still get paid.

I'd never have let the friend get involved in the first place.

But yes, cut the scene and take the money. Perhaps don't count on getting rich because their is many a slip between selling an option and sitting down with popcorn. Which will probably cheer the friend no end.

I don't like anyone that much. Cut the scene.

There is many a slip - can't believe I wrote that!

Take the money. To hell with the friend - I’ll have plenty of friends when I’m filthy rich.

Cut the scene and buy new friends, obviously!

I'd cut the scene
and I'd expect and approve of the friend doing the same, if the situation were reversed

No % in either case, because the deleted scene was taking away value, not adding to it

I like Green Tiles suggestion. A nominal amount to thank them for their input, but accept the commission with the cut. It’s probably fairer as if they’ve written a scene they’ve probably also given you notes and feedback and ideas beyond that scene. I wouldn’t give a co-writer credit though.

Why would the friendship be over? It's not like you stole your friends idea or anything. I'd be a bit gutted if I was the friend but I'd understand.

Cut the scene, tell friend the editors cut it to spare the awkwardness, buy friend a lovely expensive gift with first payment.

OP if the person was a friend, this would be a non issue and they would understand.

I'd cut the scene whether there was a fortune or not. The final product has to be right, and if that means a scene gets cut, it doesn't matter who wrote it.

I'd commiserate with the friend and probably want them to be credited somehow (even just with a "thanks to..."), as I could probably honestly say that their input contributed to my thinking about the rest of the work.

But I honestly don't understand how someone could say, "I agree it is artistically and commercially correct to cut this scene, but I won't allow this work of art to exist unless it gives my friend an ego stroke." I mean, what?

Cut the scene, blame the editor.

cut the scene, take the money, try to help the friend in other ways with introductions, write with them again etc.

I'd rather have the money and buy some more friends.

I'd cut the scene, friendship is overrated anyway.

Cut the scene.
It's easier to make friends than money.

Blimey, I'm a bit surprised at all these comments about how little friends are worth.

I wouldn't spoil a piece of work to flatter a friend. But I probably also wouldn't ditch a friend in return for an offer of money (if it was a straight payment for ditching them for no good reason).

I'd ask, "What is the thing I would buy with this money, that would be better than having this friend?"

Although, I'm sure my answers on this thread explain why I don't get ahead in the world...

@PerkingFaintly

Blimey, I'm a bit surprised at all these comments about how little friends are worth.

I wouldn't spoil a piece of work to flatter a friend. But I probably also wouldn't ditch a friend in return for an offer of money (if it was a straight payment for ditching them for no good reason).

I'd ask, "What is the thing I would buy with this money, that would be better than having this friend?"

Although, I'm sure my answers on this thread explain why I don't get ahead in the world...

House, education, holidays, alpaca, financial security, boat, children's financial security....