Mr. Greyson Black
IRS Auditor Par Excellence
"Think about it…every tax return, litigation file, personal e-mail or love letter you ever deleted could still be there on your hard drive...all readily recoverable…and not necessarily by friendly interests."
-- Advertisement for "Burn It!" Software
1997 Tiger Software Catalog
April 24, 1997
Mr. Greyson Black
Corporate Audit Division
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 903829583948203-A1
Washington, DC 20025-8967
Dear Mr. Black:
I am in receipt of your letter of April 22, requesting additional
information in support of the tax return that I filed by certified
mail on April 13 of this year.
I have enclosed photocopies of certain receipts and credit card slips that may prove helpful to you. However, I am afraid it may be impossible for me to "prove" beyond all doubt that my recent trip to Los Angeles, my extended stay at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and the various entertainment expenses I incurred during that trip, were business-related.
The movie business is unique, Mr. Black, and I dare say that some of the practices commonly employed to close deals and get pictures made are very different than those with which you might be familiar.
However, you may rest assured that the expenses I incurred during this trip were all necessary and proper. Audiences across America will soon be enjoying my latest cinematic blockbuster, "Live Hard, Die Fast."
By the way, I have been filing my tax returns without incident for many years, Mr. Black, and this is the first time any of my expenses have ever been called into question. Why this sudden desire on the part of the IRS to dig into my finances?
Sincerely yours,
Harvey S. Finkelstein II
Principal
Pluperfect Productions, Inc.
Pasadena, California
April 25, 1997
Mr. Vince Gambino
c/o The Sahara Sands Hotel
666 George Raft Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada 78453
Dear Vince:
I was very, very distressed to receive your fax today, telling
me of your plans to renege on your agreement to finance "Live
Hard, Die Fast."
As you know, I’ve been counting on your support of this project for months. Based on our understanding, I have entered into several contractual agreements with industry professionals, whose services (as you know) must be secured well in advance of shooting.
While it is true that preproduction work has been hindered by some minor disagreements among two of the starring actresses, these kinds of teething pains are common in The Business and should not be viewed as any kind of stumbling block to the ultimate success of our production.
Frankly, Vince, I am surprised, shocked, and mystified by your desire to pull out now. Why this sudden lack of faith on your part?
Sincerely,
Harvey S. Finkelstein II
Principal
Pluperfect Productions, Inc.
Pasadena, California
Return-Path: Hfinkel@aol.com
From: Hfinkel@aol.com
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1997 18:51:17 -0500 (EST)
To: Suzieq@netcom.ix.com
Subject: Who loves ya?
Hey Baby, I’m stuck in Pasadena on the cul-de-sac with wifey
and the rug rats, but don’t think I’ve forgotten those
nights at the hotel in Beverly Hills – I never will. You’re
gorgeous, Suze, and you’re a major talent – a serious
talent – and all the world will know it, as soon as "Live
Fast, Die Hard" hits the theatres.
Everything’s going fine on that score, by the way. Financing
is locked up, solid, with an ironclad commitment from our backers.
Preproduction work is well under way. The distribution deal is
set. In short, everything’s going perfectly.
Now, what’s this I hear about a catfight between you and
Heather over who’s getting top billing in the film? Come
on, Suze, you know me better than that. It’s you, you, you
– it always has been, and always will be you. Why
on earth would you think otherwise?
Hey, who loves ya?
Harve
27-April-1997
Heather Roundtree
20016 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
Dear Heather:
Even if you weren’t the beautiful, sexy, irresistible, academy
award-winning star of next year’s top-grossing film,
"Live Hard, Die Fast," I would still love you!
There’s a little trouble with Gambino and the Casino Partners – nothing to worry about -- just dotting some "Is" and crossing some "Ts." We’ll get every penny in the end. I’ve got so much dirt on him, he’ll have to dance to my tune -- or go to prison for extortion and racketeering.
I asked Madeline for a divorce this morning, and much to my surprise, she seemed to know all about it. Must be woman’s intuition or something.
Hey, who loves ya?
Harve
1-June-97
To whom it may concern:
I can’t go on any more. I’ve decided to put an end to the fear, the paranoia, the terrible feeling of being watched over, haunted and hunted, trapped with no escape.
A month ago everything was perfect, my life was on track. Now all that is gone, and I am left with nothing but memories.
My wife has hired one of the most vicious divorce attorneys in the valley, and has promised to make sure I emerge from the divorce penniless.
Both my girlfriends have left me, refusing to answer any of my calls or notes.
The IRS has launched a full-scale, multi-year audit into my personal and business finances. The auditor has told me (off-the-record) that he won’t rest until I’m behind bars.
My production company has folded.
And lastly, a former business partner and friend (with strong alleged ties to organized crime) has put out a contract on my life!
Where did I go wrong? How could things have fallen apart so quickly? It is as though God himself has been watching my every move, tallying my sins, and extracting divine retribution by destroying my life.
But then, why am I even bothering to write this? Nobody’s ever going to read it.
Goodbye.
(The Late)
Harvey S. Finklestein II