8
I knew that neither of them was risk-averse, but would they want to take the chance of being prosecuted for tax fraud? On the other hand, I was counting on their anger with the government not just for the war, but for its centuries of oppression of the poor and of minorities.
When I arrived at the soup kitchen that evening, they appeared rather subdued. Perhaps they had some remaining doubts about this entire enterprise. Were they really willing to take the risk of getting shut down, and leaving all their guests in the lurch?
As I approached, the two of them stood there, their faces expressionless. Then, bowing their heads, they raised their fists, just like Tommie Smith and John Carlos did on the victory stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
I was overjoyed! Not only were they in, but they appeared as defiant as Smith and Carlos in their protest. It was their way of saying “Fuck you!” to our corrupt and murderous government. I got their message loud and clear without their having said a word.
The three of us hugged, and Tom declared, “All for one and one for all!”
Then I handed them a check and asked for a receipt for the amount on the check. They each gave me a questioning look.
“Look, you’ll want some receipts to match the amount on the checks. Besides, don’t you want your accountant to be above suspicion?
“Over the next few days you’ll be getting some checks in the mail from new donors. Each will mention my name. So could you double or even triple the amount of their donations on their receipts.”
“It will be our pleasure!” replied Tom.
“Oh, and one more thing. For the folks I send to you who donate cash, could you quintuple the amount on their receipts?”
“Of course!” said Theresa. “It’s like the long-honored practice of merchants who don’t charge sales tax on purchases paid for with cash. I believe that every service station in New York has that generous policy.”
“Cash is good!” I replied. After all, every piece of our currency contains the statement, ‘In God we trust.’ And as some of our fellow citizens have added, ‘All others pay cash.’
“Oh, and speaking of cash, here are a few donations my clients just made.” I handed them each two envelopes.”
“Holy shit!”
“Isn’t that a little blasphemous – even for an ex-nun to say!”
“Not for this donation!”
“So how much will the receipt be for?”
“Two thousand five hundred dollars!”
“Thank you, Theresa! That’s very generous.”
Then Tom piped up, “Oh Lordy! It looks like Alfred Goldfarb has just earned himself a five-thousand-dollar deduction!”
“Wow! Now, if our guests don’t have bread, we can let them eat canoli!”
“Yes, Tom! And to paraphrase the American Revolutionary War naval hero, Captain John Paul Jones, ‘We have just begun to cheat!’”
