I was asked to rewrite David Rabe’s adaptation of John Grisham’s bestselling novel, The Firm.  My draft attracted Tom Cruise and, later, Sydney Pollack, who I worked with for six weeks on a new draft, but I had to leave the project because of a prior commitment on another project.  The great Robert Towne came in and helped Sydney make the film his own.  When the time came to arbitrate for credits I decided not to participate.  My agents thought I was crazy.  But I think credits should accoun...