Ida Tarbell Page #3

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SAM MCCLURE:

That’s what I’m asking you.

IDA:

May I speak frankly, Mr. McClure?

SAM MCCLURE:

Of course. I want you to.

IDA:

(thumbing the magazine)

Well, it’s a little thing I know, but the

print is too small. I had to squint just to

read it, and my eyesight is pretty good.

And this paper...it feels cheap to me.

SAM MCCLURE:

(proudly)

That’s because it is cheap.

8.

IDA:

Is that how you want your readers to feel?

Cheap? There are too many advertisements,

it’s distracting to the eye.

SAM MCCLURE:

That’s what pays our rent.

IDA:

If you get more readers, maybe you can have

fewer advertisers, but charge them more.

A long pause as McClure studies Ida. Intrigued.

SAM MCCLURE:

Go on.

IDA:

Well, the stories...forgive me, but they’re

a little obvious, don’t you think?

SAM MCCLURE:

Obvious?

IDA:

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s interesting,

but it’s the low hanging fruit, isn’t it?

“The man who captured John Wilkes Booth”

“The fat lady who sat on a burglar.” Hearst

is already doing that, and frankly, he’s

doing it a lot better.

(a beat)

The reader needs to feel that you care

about your subject. I don’t get that sense

from reading your magazine.

A long beat as McClure digests this stinging critique.

SAM MCCLURE:

And how do you propose we do that?

IDA:

By showing faith in the intelligence of

your readers. By involving them, engaging

them. Provoking them if necessary. By

telling great stories about great

personalities.

SAM MCCLURE:

Great personalities shape history, they do

not sell magazines.

IDA:

I disagree. I mean, why can’t a magazine be

edifying as well as entertaining? That’s

what I want when I read one. And I don’t

think I’m alone in that.

9.

SAM MCCLURE:

All right, I’ll bite, Ms. Tarbell. Why do

you want to work for McClure’s?

IDA:

I don’t want to write “Postcards from

Paris” any more than you wish to read them.

I want my work to matter. With a smaller

publication, I might have more creative

freedom to choose my own subjects. I think

we both know that McClures is capable of so

much more. And so am I.

SAM MCCLURE:

(considers)

You’re passionate, and I admire that. You

speak your mind freely. And it’s obvious

that you care very much about writing.

IDA:

It’s the only thing I’ve ever cared about.

Do you write, Mr. McClure?

SAM MCCLURE:

I write well enough. It’s the “sitting

still” part that I have trouble with.

IDA:

There is usually a price for everything.

SAM MCCLURE:

Indeed. And the question I’m asking myself

right now is, how much is yours?

IDA:

(without missing a beat)

Fifty dollars a week, my own byline, I

don’t care about title. Contributing editor

is fine.

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