Related Clues:

• Starting stake
• 'Going ___, going...'
• Start for a kitty
• Upfront amount
• In olden times
• Words before speed or snuff
• 'So soon?'
• Opening amount
• Pay (up)
• 'It's ___!' (thumbs-up reply)
• ___ and for all
• At some prior point
• Earlier
• Since
• Shortly before?