Friberg had no money to call Liberty magazine and make an appointment, nor could he afford public transportation, so he decided to walk to the magazine’s offices and find a way to talk to the art director.

When he arrived at the office Friberg was greeted by a pompous youth who worked as an office boy. When Friberg asked to see the art director without an appointment he was told “impossible!” The struggling artist would have to phone ahead for an appointment.

Friberg new of a telephone he could use, even though it was two miles away, so he walked there and called the Liberty office. His call was placed during the lunch hour and everyone had gone out except the art director, who answered the telephone. Friberg explained his business and was told to come right over.

Friberg arrived at the magazine only to be met by the same office boy, who refused to believe that he had gained an appointment so quickly. The boy decided that the artist must have talked with one of the other staff members and not the director. He went from desk to desk, asking each person in turn if one of them had talked with Friberg. None of them had. Finally, the office boy went to see the art director, who acknowledged the fact that he had told Friberg to come by. Friberg was ushered inside; he displayed his work and found that the art director liked it. But all artwork covers had to be approved by the editorial staff.