william shawn.
truman.
why? what has he --
would it matter --
he hasn't written a word yet, though he says it's the nonfiction book of the decade.
truman. i was supposed to be home for dinner with my wife three hours ago -- i have not been able to tear myself away from your book. it's that good. it's not good, it's astonishing. this first half is astonishing. if the second half lives up to this it, -- it -- how much is left to do?
i think you need to talk to him now.
truman. you got your ending --
the kansas court denied their appeal. it came over the wire on friday. you need to talk to perry now. he'll be dead by september. i'm sorry, i know how much you've come to care about him.
truman?
i want to set up a reading for you in the fall, in new york. we'll build some interest, and we'll publish in the fall.
welcome new yorkers.
thank you for coming to the first public reading, the first offering of any kind, of truman capote's new work "in cold blood." our magazine --
everyone was there.
of course he did.
no, now we get to withhold while everyone else talks. let them do the work.
this book is going to change everything. it'll change how people see you as a writer. it'll change how people write. you'll finish by october?
hanging. yes. i'll commit as many issues as it takes to publish. three. as many as it takes.
honestly, what's he got to lose?
you'll be able to finish now.
you want anything?
that's him again.
we've never even met. it is utterly inappropriate for me to be talking to him.
yes.  i'm sorry, he's out, gone out.  i'm not sure when.
he won't look at it.
he won't talk.
it's nelle.
no.
truman. no.
it came to the hotel this morning. i told them i'd give it to you.