January 21, 1988
Two more turndowns, from Michael Apted and Bob Swaim. Swaim told Larry he enjoyed the script, would have jumped at it had it come along before his last movie, but he’s now looking for a love story.
These phone calls from Larry are my only link to the movie industry, to L.A., to that whole set of aspirations. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the script exists, that I wrote it, that dozens of Xerox copies of it are circulating and getting read by people. It doesn’t seem real.
February 4, 1988
Prince of Persia is looking good. The kid now runs, jumps, swings and falls like a pro. When he steps on the pressure plates the gates go up and down the way they’re supposed to. The project’s back on track.
The only problem is I’ve been working such long hours, I can’t remember the last time I did anything fun outside work, or even went to the movies. My budding screenwriting career is a distant memory.
Dr. S says my mono is getting better, but I shouldn’t be discouraged if it’s another six months before I’m 100%. And in the meantime, I should take care to avoid getting overtired or chilled. Six months!
February 28, 1988
I shipped Mom my 512K Mac. She upgraded it to a Plus and now she’s happily learning how to use it.
Dad wants me to move out of San Francisco. He’s worried about earthquakes.
March 1, 1988
MGM passed. Michael Crichton passed. On deck: Roger Spottiswoode, Henry Winkler, John Boormann.
March 25, 1988
Larry called to say Peter Yates has passed. Now that all the top guys have said no, we go down a notch. Andy (Bad Dreams) Fleming’s agent, Eric Rosenberg, liked the script and wants to meet me.
“The top guys were all very positive,” Larry said. “Keep your spirits up.”
April 21, 1988
My Apple II hard drive arrived today – about a year after I got Ed to agree to order me one – and with some help from Robert I got my entire development system converted over. It’ll save me endless hassles. It’s the most exciting hardware event in years.
