Reference - Useless Friend

question 67

Multiple Choice

Reference - Useless Friend. Charles, who is very gullible, is friends with Bobby. Bobby, who cannot be trusted, decides to try to bind Charles to a contract in Bobby's favor. Bobby has Charles sign a contract promising to wash Bobby's car once a week for a month for $80. The contract incorporated by reference terms on the back. The terms on the back were in very small print and required Charles for one year to cook dinner for Bobby, do his laundry, and clean his apartment. Bobby is also very angry with his former girlfriend, Tessa, and decides to start rumors, that would constitute the tort of defamation, such as that she has a vile disease, cheated on tests, and stole from friends. Bobby wants to enlist the help of Charles but knows that Charles would be hesitant to assist in his endeavors. One evening, however, Charles drank too much beer and was clearly intoxicated - a fact apparent to Bobby. Bobby had him sign a contract agreeing to defame Tessa for $50. When he sobers up, Charles tells Bobby that he was drunk and that he has no intention of defaming Tessa, who also happens to be Charles' new girlfriend. He also finally takes a look at the contract involving work for Bobby and tells Bobby that the contract is outrageous and that he has no intentions of going through with any of it. Which of the following is true regarding Charles' claim that he had no obligation to defame Tessa?

• A) Charles is correct in that he could not be legally obligated to commit defamation.
• B) Charles is correct only if it can be proven that the defamation would cause Tessa money damages.
• C) Charles is correct only if it can be proven that the defamation would cause Tessa actual injury.
• D) Charles is correct only if it can be proven that the defamation is undeserved.
• E) Charles is correct only if it can be proven that he had a prior relationship with Tessa.

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Definitions:

Boston Tea Party

A protest by American colonists in 1773 against British taxation, in which they boarded British ships and dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Patriot Behavior

The actions and attitudes of individuals who intensely support and defend their country, often associated with the American Revolutionaries who fought for independence from Britain.

Continental Association

An agreement adopted by the First Continental Congress in 1774 in response to the British Coercive Acts, implementing a trade boycott with Great Britain.

Committees of Observation

were bodies established by American colonists during the early stages of the Revolutionary War to enforce the boycott of British goods following the Townshend Acts and to spread the cause of liberty.