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Bennett CerfBennett Cerf
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Session:         Page of 1029

Cerf:

I don't remember.

Q:

Really?

Cerf:

No, I do not. It's not germane to this story. It was a generous, fair offer; but I assure you that we were prepared to go higher because we expected that there would be quite some negotiations. They were not necessary.

We had lunch together again and I proposed the terms. Alfred said, “Do you and Donald think that's a fair offer?” I said, “If we didn't, we wouldn't be making it.” He said, “If you think it's fair, I'll take it.” It was just like that! We shook hands on the deal. I said, “Alfred, you know that we would have increased our offer if you had pressed us.” Alfred said, “If you two really thought your proposal fair, it was all right with me!" It made him a rich man overnight, of course.

Q:

How much did he get?

Cerf:

He got a big lot of Random House stock, which he was free to sell.

Q:

You don't remember how much it was?

Cerf:

I don't think that it's important. It was a good deal, and everybody was happy.

Q:

Were there any provisions that you wouldn't interfere or





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