Patrick Combs had no idea that his idea to spread a bit of holiday cheer would lead to threats of death and jail time. It was 1995 when the California native deposited a $95,000 junk-mail check marked non-negotiable, but after finding his balance in the six-figures a few days later he knew something was amiss.
“I broke out of my lifelong, four-figure balance in one transaction, and the next six months of my life was the wildest and craziest time imaginable,” he said.
Combs tells the tale in his award-winning, off-Broadway one-man show, and he is coming to Sugar Sand Park’s Willow Theatre, 300 S. Military Trail, beginning Dec. 4. Combs plays it close to the vest and does not want to divulge how things transpired, but rest assured all is revealed during the show.
“Whether I ended up in jail, had to return the money or used it to begin building my riches, all questions will be answered,” he said.
Combs plays angry voicemail messages and produces hostile documents from the incident and discusses the worldwide media attention.
“I was actually becoming quite afraid of litigation or who knows what, so I contacted the Wall Street Journal, and the whole thing exploded from there,” he said.
Combs steeped himself in banking law, and even coaxed the nation’s leading banking authority out of retirement to back his cause. Combs will be at the Willow Theater from Dec. 4 to 7. For more information, visit www.WillowTheatre.org.