DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center> DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center>1 DIV style="MARGIN: 0cm" align=center>Trauma at the Bank
The door to the bank manager’s office flew open. A masked man wielding a black revolver stepped into the office and shut the door. Pointing his gun at the manager, he said, “So you must be Edwards?” His back pressed against the door, he waved his gun at the woman on the other side of the desk. “Who the hell are you? What’s your name? Both of you stand up and put your hands on your heads. I mean now! Don’t make me say it again, lady. What did you say your name was?” “Julie. Julie Cullen.” “Okay, Julie Cullen. This is what you and Mr. fuckin’ bank manager Edwards are going to do. You are going to take your hands off your head and come with me. You’ll wait outside the office while I get the rest of the customers and staff out onto the bank floor.” With her hands still on her head Julie blurted out, “But my boy! My son Ross is sitting outside the door waiting for me.” “The dude playing the computer game? Don’t you know computer games will fry your kid’s brain?” The masked man opened the door and hissed, “Heh Ross. Yeah you kid. Are you deaf? Come in here and see your mother.” At the sight of the gun, Ross removed his earphones and shuffled into the office. Even though he was scared, fifteen-year-old Ross couldn’t help thinking how cool this was. “So you’re Ross. Get the hell behind your mother and keep your mouth shut!” Ross glanced at the frightened face of his mother. Gunfire continued to erupt from the headphones. Shaking his gun at Ross, the gunman growled, “Kid, turn that damn thing off for Chrissakes.” Ross shut down the game. “Okay, all three of you, into the hall and turn right. Mouths shut. Lady, you go first.” Two ghoulish white eyes, a jagged scar and a sinister grin emanated from the mask. The gunman raised a finger to his lips and opened the office door. Abruptly, he threw open the doors of the offices and ordered people out. He directed the parade of people toward the centre of the bank lobby. “Nobody move!” the masked man shouted. “Everyone lie down on the floor. Anybody wants to be a hero or do something stupid and I’ll shoot them dead.” Silence engulfed the room. All movement ceased. Everyone’s eyes fixated on the masked man in the black hoody brandishing the 44. Magnum. “The rest of you, down on the floor like them!” he shouted. “All but you, bitch,” he said, levelling his gun at the teller closest to him. I want five thousand in twenties from that fucking cash machine over there. Any hesitation and I’ll blow you right through the wall. No alarm bells or you’re all dead, every last one of you. The gunman paused so that his gaze included everyone in the bank. He riveted his eyes back on the teller. “Nod if you understand, bitch!” In the prone position all Ross could see was the woman bobbing her head nervously. “Now!” shouted the gunman. The woman made the withdrawal and the machine spat out the twenties. “Put it in here,” ordered the robber. He dropped his backpack and kicked it across the counter toward the woman. The woman began to stuff the enormous wads of twenties into the backpack. From the centre of the room Ross could see the terror in her eyes. “Hurry up bitch. Five seconds and I start shooting!” Ross watched as her eyes flickered from the cash in her quivering hands up towards the hooded, masked figure. “Don’t look at me, bitch!” he shouted. The gunman gritted his teeth. Sweat trickled down the inside of the mask and splattered onto the marble floor. His white knuckled grasp on the gun began to falter. He steadied the gun with his other hand. Finally he danced across the counter, scooped up the backpack and leapt off the counter. Flinging the backpack over his shoulder, he raced past the bodies on the floor and bolted out the door. The alarm sliced through the silent stillness of the bank. Edwards scrambled to his feet. Julie raised her head to look at Ross. Relief flooded her face as she saw him lying there safely. She darted over to Ross and embraced him. Sirens sounded in the distance. “It’s all over folks,” said Edwards. “My name is Keith Edwards. The police will be here soon. Anyone still lying on the floor may get up now. I’m afraid all of you will have to wait until the police arrive and let you go.” The manager glanced at the security cameras, hoping they had caught the robbery in action. He knew though, given the hoodie and mask, that identification would be all but impossible. Less than a minute later the police entered through the glass doors. It was a half an hour wait before Julie and Ross’s statements were taken. Julie checked her cell phone for messages. Hi, it’s Frank. Listen, the Board meeting ran overtime and things didn’t go well. I’ll have to meet you at the hotel, so call me when you get there. Julie sighed. Once the police dismissed the remaining customers, Julie approached Keith Edwards. “Mrs. Cullen, I’m sorry for all the commotion. I know we were in the middle of a serious matter but–” “It’s okay. I’ll have to speak to my husband, Frank about it first. I’ll be in touch.” “Thank you, Mrs. Cullen,” he said, shaking her hand. Edwards turned his attention to the police. Julie looked anxiously at her son. “Well young man, are you okay? I think we should get out of here.” Ross was smart, tall for his age and mature enough to handle the robbery; nevertheless she knew it was a traumatic situation for all concerned. “I must say, you certainly got your share of excitement for today.” “That was awesome!” said Ross, on the way out. “I can’t wait to text the guys. What were you talking to the bank guy about anyway?” Julie stiffened her lip. “It was about a loan. Not to worry. It can wait.” They returned to where Julie had parked the SUV she used for winter driving. She drove north on Yonge Street while Ross buried himself in his text messages. Julie pondered the news she had received earlier from the bank manager. Their line of credit was maxed out, a second loan from different bank had failed to cover the interest on the line of credit and a payment on the interest for the loan had been missed. What had their marriage come to? First the affairs, now he was messing around with their mortgage? Julie decided to delay the discussion about the loans until after dinner. She and Frank were still going to spend the evening together, an evening important to Frank. The Atkin Electronics sales conference dinner was being held that evening in conjunction with the firm’s Annual General Meeting. Julie called home. “Alexandra?”