Dear Nicole:
I will resume making payments next week. I'm aware of the balance. Unfortunately, I am a victim of the same economic troubles everyone else has. The equity is my house is zero. I had stock in my biggest client, a national bank, which went to $1/share before the Fed stepped in. I know I've paid [boss] tens of thousands of dollars. There's no reason to stop now.
I appreciate your e-mail. Regards to all.
-Client
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Sorry dude, but you still owe us $5k. And we like to get paid when we save your ass from being disbarred.