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The man replies. “When an amount that high is requested, we have to take you to the back and alert the police. It’s for your best interest.”
“No need for that. I’m literally just needing it for a buyout. There’s no one making me do this. I’d appreciate if you would just give me the damn check so I can be on my way.”
The manager waves me over, and then walks me into his office and shuts the door. “The police are on their way. It’s protocol here, and I could lose my job if I don’t report it. You understand. Once they clear you, I will give you the check.”
All of this just to get a check from a bank account I’ve had with them for years. It’s not like someone is asking for ransom money or I’m trying to rob the fucking bank. It’s my hard-earned money. This is ridiculous.
His office door opens, and two police officers’ step inside. “Good morning, Mr. Valentino. The cashier filled us in. We just have some questions for you.”
I don’t have time for this.
“Are you being forced to do this? That’s a lot of money to take out in one single transaction?”
“If someone was asking for it, do you think they would ask for a cashier’s check? Don’t be idiots. They would want cash!”
The police officers look at each other. “The bank is just following it’s protocol. Can we walk you back to wherever you are going to make sure?”
I nod and go back to the cashier who hands me the check. This is not how I pictured my morning going, and honestly, I’m already over today.
One of them opens the double doors of the bank, and I walk out, and they follow me to the first floor of my building.
“This is as far as you need to go. My employees will question why police officers are escorting me into the building. I don’t want to cause a panic.”
“Have a good day, sir.”
I roll my eyes and get in the elevator to my floor. What the hell was the point of that? No one in their right mind will ask for a cashier's check if they want it to be untraceable and now I think the manager is an idiot. Makes no sense, whatsoever.
“Sir, Rhonda came by to speak with you. She hasn’t been able to get ahold of Hendrix and she’s worried,” Denise says.
“Follow me, Denise.”
Once inside my office, I shut the door, and hand her the check. “Take this to the fourth floor to Mr. Jackson.”
She nods. “And let Rhonda know to come see me, too, please.”
I keep my office door open and pray this goes well. It’s not every day you have to tell someone that their boss has been fired and they are getting a promotion and a raise.
Rhonda walks in and starts going on and on about how Hendrix hasn’t shown up for work and won’t answer her calls. To be fair, he is rarely late for work, and if he is, Rhonda usually gets a heads up.
“We need to talk about that. Hendrix is no longer working here.”
Her eyes go wide. “What do you mean? Did something happen to him?”
“No, it’s just better for the company this way, however, I would like you to be the new office manager. Does that sound like something you would be interested in? With him gone, an assistant isn’t needed, so it’s up to you.”
She tries not to seem delighted by the job offer because of why she’s getting it, but I can tell she is all for it.
“Yes, that would be great, sir. Thank you.”
“Also, I was going over your history here, and I see you haven’t gotten a raise in a while, so I would also like to give you an eight-thousand dollar raise. I’m not sure why Hendrix didn’t give you an annual raise, but that was his prerogative. This is mine.”
She smiles. “You really are the better boss. Denise tells me how wonderful you are.”
“Thank you, now go get with Christie and she can show you the ropes.”
Honestly, this meeting with the directors isn’t on my bucket list, matter of fact, I could go the rest of my life without having to see them and I’d be fine, but it comes with the cost of running a business.
My brain recalls Hendrix’s words from yesterday.
“Good luck running things without me.”
He might be giving himself more credit than he’s worth, because I’m the one that spends countless hours here after everyone else goes home. I’m the one that is sitting at home, with my laptop looking at margins, and trying to figure out where we can improve.
I’m the guy with the cape and fake glasses carrying this business.
