While we were shooting I Love Your Work in Los Angeles, the other producer, David, brought a film investor to set: Boro, a Yugoslavian garmento.

Boro was tall and polished, with slicked back hair, a natty suede blazer, and a thick Eastern European Bond-villain accent.

David was clearly greatly impressed by Boro – in equal parts intimidated and thrilled by the volatile, slightly dangerous air he exuded. He introduced me to Boro shortly after they both arrived, mid-way through the shoot day. And, after explaining, with extensive illustrative facial implication, the ‘complicated’ nature of Boro’s business ventures, David prompted him to tell me about Silky, one of Boro’s ‘associates’.

“We call Silky,” Boro explained, “when people don’t pay their bills as fast as they should, and we need to… convince them otherwise.”

David smiled, nodding.

“And when he shake your hand,” Boro continued, grasping my right hand in his, “he break your thumb. Like this!” He jerked his hand suddenly, releasing mine to spare my thumb, staring into my eyes as he did so.

“What do you think of that!” said David, clearly enthralled by the idea of petty violence as a business tool.

“I think,” I measuredly replied, eyes still locked on Boro’s, “that if someone had my thumb broken, I’d have to have that person killed.”

I smiled placidly.

Thoughtfully, Boro nodded.

“Yes,” he said a few moments later. He smiled broadly, handed me his card. “Yes, exactly right.”