This story is about Dave, a professional photographer who was a regular in the pool room.
Making a living is tough, especially when a customer stiffs you.
Dave set up his studio to take head shots for the owner of a Beverly Hills beauty Salon and billed him $1,000.
This was the 1980s before digital cameras and it was expensive to buy and develop the film.
Dave asked around the pool room if there was anyone that could help him collect the $1,000.
It's not a surprise when one of the guys said he knew a guy that collected for Las Vegas casinos when a customer didn't pay their marker.
The collector said he only tries to collect when the customer owes at least $25,000 but his actress daughter needs better headshots and maybe they can make a deal.
A few weeks later the collector showed up and gave Dave three one ounce Krugerrand gold bars worth about $800.
Dave asked how he got the gold bars.
I waited in his parking garage and when he got out of his car I walked up and asked if he was, I do not remember the name.
The guy said, "Who wants to know?".
The collector grabbed the owner's arm firmly and said, "Someone that thinks you should pay your bills".
After some back and forth the guy says, "Will you take a check"
The collector says, "No Checks".
The guy says, "I don't have that much cash".
The collector says, "I'm sure you will find something".
The collector told Dave he got five gold bars and he is keeping two.