Dom said that sending couriers out was bull and he wasn't gonna be strong-armed into paying. Rodney Strong, Sr. handled him with the unflinching class of a true a pro.

"Right, Dom," I said in a low, raspy voice. "My son doesn't always understand that people need time to think. He's impatient. I realize you guys have some problems. You don't need more litigation. But, Dom-- I need a payment now to keep this out of litigation. You understand what I'm saying?"

Dom tried to raise the invoicing issue again, together with every other imaginable objection. But Rodney Sr. kept repeating, "Dom, I need a payment now to keep this out of litigation. You understand what I'm saying?" and, "You guys don't need more litigation. I'd like to help you keep the D.A. off your back. Dom, I need a payment to keep this out of litigation."

Finally, Dom broke down. He promised a payment the next day for "at least $90,000 and probably more."

Three times in a row, Rodney Sr. asked, "Tomorrow?" And Dom said, "Mano a mano." "Mano a mano?" "Mano a mano." "All right, Dom."

Over the next three months, Rodney Sr. was able to induce the Dom to make monthly payments of $90,000. However, after that, the Dom ceased making payments and Strong, Strong, & Stryker Assoc., Ltd., forwarded the case to their attorneys.