You Never Know

18 February 2006 "Hello, Jack? This is Nick. We need to have another talk, and I have a couple of ideas to put to you. When could we get together?"

"How about tonight?"

"Okay. I was thinking about the public area in the Galt Library, downtown, say seven o'clock?"

"Good enough. Just the two of us?"

"That's fine, yes. See you there."

Nicholas has brought no tape recorder, but he has a file folder in a smooth leather case. Less a reporter, and more a businessman.

"Jack, I've re-read your paper, and have gone over it with some of my friends. I understand it a bit better now, and I have some idea as to its value and importance.

Now, your financial situation is definitely serious, and if you don't mind, could you tell me what is happening there?"

"Okay, Nick. You've obviously accessed our credit report, so you know we have unsecured liabilities, mostly credit cards, totaling about $115,000. We've made no payments on these for about six months. We've held our own as to utility bills, so the shop continues to function, but, since we cannot afford a lawyer, a lot of my time has been going into court actions and negotiations. Three court cases are now in progress. There will be more.

I've developed a statement of defense, one form of it for out of court, another for in court, and in that I make a settlement proposal, the main crux of which is that we offer to make a hundred monthly payments on a reduced principal with no interest accruing.