A few days before Christmas, Philip Marlowe, feeling tired of the low pay of his profession, decided to write a story about murder, based upon his personal experiences as a Private Detective. Once the story was complete, he sent it to Kingsby Publications. A few days later, he received a response from a guy named "A. Fromsett" at the company, who wanted Marlowe to visit them to discuss his story. Arriving at the publishers, a young lady says "Oh, come in Mr. Marlowe. You're here about the story you wrote". Marlowe says "Yeah, I got a letter from a guy named A. Fromsett". She says "I'm Fromsett, Adrienne Fromsett to be precise. Tell me something, Mr. Marlowe, have you done much writing?" He says "No". Adrienne says "You do very well for a beginner". Marlowe says "Well, it's based on an authentic case. Do you run this publishing business all by yourself Miss Fromsett?" She says "Oh no, Mr Kingsby runs it. Tell me, are there really detectives like the one in your story who never lie, cheat, or double cross a client?" Marlowe says "Yeah, there're a couple of dopes like that". She says "Good, then you were writing about yourself". Marlowe says "Look, you don't really want to buy my story do you?" Adrienne says "I was about to offer you 200 dollars". Marlowe says "Oh no you weren't. The real reason I'm here is because you want a smooth operator who keeps his mouth shut. When you read my story, you said that's my boy, he's dumb, he's brave, and he's cheap, am I right?" She says "Partly". Marlowe says "Then why all this micky mouse about my story?" Adrienne says "I want you to find Mr. Kingby's wife, without his knowing you're looking for her. She's a vicious woman, a liar...." Marlowe says "I don't want to be nosy, Miss Fromsett, but what makes that any of your business?" She says "I handle all of Mr. Kingsby's affairs. He wants to divorce her and I don't like your manners". Marlowe says "I'm not selling my manners, and I'm not selling my story either. I don't like getting mixed up with a tricky female who wants to dispose of the boss's wife just so she can marry him herself".