A sob story for every occasion

My ex-ex-landlord in CA, who had done the check's in the mail routine for at least 2 months after we moved and then promptly wouldn't answer my letters or return my calls, well the process server finally served him today. And then he promptly got on the phone with me and wanted to negotiate.
No problem. I just want my money, but the phone call for the most part revolved around his latest sob story. This man truly has one for every occasion. When things didn't get fixed there was a sob story. When our neighbors, who were also renting from him, were almost foreclosed on there was an excuse. His kid, his ex, his hard times, his recovery, etc.
Today it was had a heart attack in February, so... One problem, he had to have the security deposit to us in December. Then he followed it up with, "My house has been foreclosed on." So I crooned appropriately and then he told me he would call Monday and make arrangements to get me my money.
What it is, of course, is that if we go to court, he will get a judgement for 3x the security deposit, at a limit of $7500, versus the $2850 he owes us. I would want to make a deal too if I were him.
So we'll see. But my terms are these: certified funds must be in hand by June 1st, and if they aren't then that gives me just enough time to book a plane ticket for Monterey and off to court we go.
I am really happy that there is a possibility we will be getting that deposit back. It means a little less worry, because there is one more month of emergency funds back in the kitty and that is a great thing given our situation. I am still disappointed that it took this to get him to do the right thing (assuming he is not bluffing again). I don't understand why people feel it is okay to screw their neighbor.