[MRM]

Len, I can think of no reason for someone to demand up front money in the manner you describe for a working capital loan. Never do business with someone you can't touch. I know you're in hardship conditions now, but don't do business with moneylenders who are not banks. Please contact your local university business department and sign up for one of their small business clinical programs where they put students to work on your business like they were real outside consultants. You need professional MBA-type outside management expertise to get you from here to there.