- [Stephen shows the sheet music from his first song to two of his friends]
- First Co-Worker: Let's see where it says you wrote it!
- Stephen Foster: Well, I guess it doesn't say.
- Second Co-Worker: Did you get much for it?
- Stephen Foster: Oh, he didn't pay me anything.
- First Co-Worker: Did you even get any royalties?
- Stephen Foster: Listen, he's doing me a big favor just to print it - didn't charge me a cent.
- Second Co-Worker: Boy, how 'bout that minstrel man, Christy? Didn't he pay ya?
- Stephen Foster: Certainly not. I'm proud to have him sing it.
- First Co-Worker: Gee, it looks like you oughta get a little something just for thinkin' it up!