This year, I find myself with the painful obligation of not reporting anything more than the sum of 640 Francs to my tax collector: he coldly restituted the surplus to me. I value the esteem of this man.[1] I believe that it will be even more useful to me in the future to avoid disappointing[2] him, or even alarming him, too much.
Might I receive, under the heading of "advances upon author's rights," something that I could indicate as declarable income for 1988, so that I can throw a decent bone to this likable person? Although my immense reputation still has not reached the canton d'Allegre,[3] I am not too reassured about the future.
We embrace you affectionately,P.S. Here is a response to an Anglo-Saxon cinephile[4] whom I have mentioned several times, but perhaps without sending you a copy.
[1] Translator's note: the French here (Je tiens a l'estime de cet homme) might also be taken to mean "I hold to the guesswork of this man."
[2] Translator's note: the French word employed here (decevoir) also means "to deceive."
[3] The location of the tax collection bureau.
[4] See letter to Thomas Levin dated 29 May 1987.
(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 7: Janvier 1988-Novembre 1994 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2008. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! October 2008. Footnotes by the publisher, except where noted.)