Periodically we see people rightfully complain that one end or the other of a business deal or 'understanding' was not upheld.  This is the brief story of an 'understanding' arrived at long ago:

About fifteen years ago I was promised a significant percentage of a small corporation based on what I had accomplished up to that point.  I trusted the man who made that promise so much that I never bothered to get it in writing.  But, fifteen years after that promise was made I decided it was time to put it in writing.  (shame on me for not getting it in writing to begin with).  So, I told him, 'hey, I think it's time we put this in writing'.  He responded immediately, 'You're right.  Let's do it.  We're not getting any younger.'  And so we did.  If he wanted to be ruthless he could have denied he ever made the promise in the first place and probably have prevailed in court.  There was a very significant dollar value involved.  I've been fortunate ... and careful ...  in my choice of company in business.  Moral of the story?:

1 -- Get it in writing.

2 -- Deal with honorable people to begin with and the significance of  item 1 above diminishes.

Maybe it doesn't belong here, and my apologies if it doesn't.  But I thought it was a pleasant enough little story that some of you talented artists who've crashed into business walls might like it.  In a rather negative world it's reaffirmed my faith in human nature.