Putting words in their mouths (Isthmus)

'quot;Did you hear about the dim-bulb actress who was up for a part? She slept with the scriptwriter.'quot; Yeah, it's an old joke, but I needed a lead, and they don't pay me extra for original material. Besides, is there a better way to describe the scriptwriter's place in the Hollywood food chain - well fed, often, but a very weak link when it comes to anything resembling actual influence?