This experience has provided an important lesson: Business dealings have everything to do with the character of the person you're dealing with, and almost nothing to do with what it says on the contract. Rick and I worked together for years without so much as a handshake to seal the deal, because we were both honorable and trusted each other. Over the years I'll learn that contracts can't save you from weasels, liars, cheaters, or morons. The best a contract can do is mitigate your losses when things go wrong.
