I have way too much time on my hands

[Rob Wick]

Was thinking the other day that instead of trying to write a book on Sandburg's pursuit of Lincoln, maybe I should try something more commercially viable.

I'm thinking maybe of a series of detective novels involving Ida Tarbell and Carl Sandburg as a crime-fighting duo who write about Lincoln in their spare time. Think "Moonlighting" only with a 19th century bent.

As Tarbell is the older of the two, she is the prim and proper Victorian lady who does things the old-fashioned way while Sandburg is the young buck who doesn't follow the rules and often gets himself into trouble by doing so, but in the end, they end up solving the case. Tarbell travels in a horse and carriage while Sandburg has an old Stutz Bearcat.

So, am I on to something, or just on something?

Don't worry, I'll still talk to you all when I'm sitting by my Beverly Hills pool negotiating the movie rights.

Roger, do you think Denise Richards might consider playing Tarbell?

I probably should be getting back to work.

Best
Rob

[RJNorton]

Rob, you know how ex-students love to please their old teachers.

You write the novels, get the movie rights, and I will supply you with Denise.

Take it to the bank!

[Laurie Verge]

Roger - we better explain that the actress Denise Richards was a student of yours in middle school. Ladies & gents, Roger also taught the great Lincoln historian, Thomas Schwartz.

[Gene C]

Rob, I think you're on (to) something with this new book idea. Kinda of a Victoiran or roaring 20's, Jessica Fletcher and Ellery Queen?

[LincolnMan]

Rob: love it! I would hope that they both would be guided in their solving of cases by the spirit of "What would Lincoln do?" Maybe a sort of re-occurring Sandburg reply to questions could be done in typical Lincoln fashion by verbalizing: "That reminds me of a story..." Would that drive Tarbell crazy or what? That type of interaction between them would supply the tension between them which is actually on the surface of a romantic connection that is there but not expressed. Thus, the ultimate question would become: When will Tarbell and Sandburg give in to their inner love feelings for each other and become lovers as well as partners in solving crimes? You're right- we all have too much time on our hands.

[Rob Wick]

Yet, Bill, they can never give in to that tension, then it wouldn't be tense any longer, and you've just blown a whole dramatic device.

Best
Rob

[LincolnMan]

As Maxwell Smart used to say: "Sorry about that!"

[Craig Hipkins]

Rob,
How about Helen Bonham Carter as Ida Tarbell?

Craig

[Rob Wick]

I'll have to give that some thought, Craig. I thought about Bill Murray as Carl Sandburg, but I might just be showing my age here.

Best
Rob