From 'Ha' to 'Help!'.

Your character is a low-status bad guy.  You’re confronted by a high-status good guy or cool bad guy.

There can be different responses from you, the loser. Here’s an iconic order.

Laugh It Off.

The cool guy demands payment on the loan or else.

‘Ha!’. You make a joke, crack wise, laugh off the threat. First tactic.

He pulls out a gun. Stakes are raised. Next tactic.

The High Road.

You declaim your right to be left alone and protest their nefarious threats. ‘How dare you?’ You take the high road.

He smacks you across the face. Stakes are raised. Next tactic.

I’ll Tell.

You threaten legal action. ‘If the police find out...’ 

He shoots you in the leg. Stakes are raised. Next tactic.

Sorry.

You apologize. ‘Please, I’m sorry!’.

He shoots your partner dead. Stakes are raised. Next tactic.

Oh God.

‘Help!’. You beg, on your knees, and cry for mercy.

Typically, they take the money, shoot you, or both. End scene.

We see this Laugh-to-God iconic journey repeated in Hollywood movies. The three neophytes in Pulp Fiction follow that journey when the hitmen come to collect the money.