Monday, a standard long, boring Monday at work and Robert felt like time stopped all together as he glanced up through his protective plexiglass shield at the large clock on the wall across the lobby.
Another customer stepped up to his station, a kindly old lady hands full of receipts and coin bags clutch tight in her weathered old hands. He smiled, \u201cWhat can I do for you, ma\u2019am,\u201d he asked.
Bony hands thrust out one of the coin bags, \u201cI need this deposited in my account, please,\u201d her crackled voice replied.
He smiled, forced of course, and began his normal routine of typing in the access codes, logging in to the system, instructing the customer to swipe, then taking the money and processing it accordingly. Grief thought his mind, how many more people will I have to serve in the next hours.
Robert\u2019s movements were like a mechatronic robot, count here, tally there, his eyes glancing out to the line of customers waiting their turn.
Then his heart froze.
It was her, standing in line, his line, a placid unemotional expression set on her face. Great! How did she find me,\u201d he mused feeling the cold chill pass down his spine.
There came a low beep; damn, an over charge caused by a missed entry into the computer. The elderly lady\u2019s eyes widened a bit, and he smiled. \u201cOoop\u2019s, my bad,\u201d he told her rapidly entering corrections, fingers typing rapidly on the keys.
As he worked, his eyes kept cutting up at the woman in his line. Oh, not here. He sensed she was not there for any accounting business. No, she was there for him, and that was not good. Suddenly, a presence made itself felt behind him, Robert glancing back to find his manager standing quietly, his ever-present coffee mug gripped by the handle in front of him. The large lettering on the front, \u201cALL WORK MEANS MORE MONEY,\u201d in red burned hard in Robert\u2019s eyes.
\u201cTry speeding it up a bit, Mickelson,\u201d he said low as he glared atop his wired rimmed glasses.
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Robert replied picking up the pace.
He finished with his current customer and greeted the next person in line. Damn, she was next, an attractive petite red-headed bundle of strangeness coiling up like a snake ready to strike. Her arms were crossed over her chest, tight blue blouse rising high with each sigh made, shifting back and forth in her stance.
\u201cUh, is there anything, anything I can hopefully do more for you\u2026please?\u201d he said to his current customer.
The man made a doubtful frown at him as he walked away, and she walked up. A long cold moment passed between them the silence drawing looks from the other tellers on the line. Must keep this professional, thought Robert, and with an audible gulp forced a smile to form on his face.
\u201cHow can I help you\u2026ma\u2019am?\u201d
A foot could be heard tapping, then her blue eyes narrowed. \u201cI gave you my number,\u201d she said.
Robert gulped again. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d
\u201cDon\u2019t you \u2018escuse me\u2019, buster,\u201d she snarled, lush red lips twisted tight to one side, \u201cyou were supposed to be calling me every night! What happened?\u201d
This was the reason Robert had withdrawn from continuing relations with this woman. A late-night connection at a bar, several dates and a few wild flings turned into a barrage of endless chatter. We need to do this, I want to do that, grief! She wasn\u2019t even his girlfriend, for goodness\u2019 sake!
\u201cUhm, I\u2019m at work right now,\u201d said Robert trying to maintain his professionalism.
\u201cI-DON\u2019T-CARE,\u201d came her reply. Tiny fist slammed down on the counter, and he caught sight of Carol in the station next to him stepping back ready to hit the panic button.
He paused and set a hard stare on this crazy female. \u201cThis is not the place for a discussion like this, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said, \u201cIf you would like\u2014\u201d
To his surprise she pressed herself up against the plexiglass shield. \u201cDo you know how hard it was to locate you!\u201d
The terrifying mask of anger drew Robert back from the station. \u201cPlease madame, control yourself or I will have to alert security.\u201d
\u201cAlert them!\u201d came her sharp reply, drawing more attention from the people in the lobby.
A small child started crying and her mother quickly pulled her away from his line. This is bad, thought Robert. He spotted the security guard making his way over, then a fist against the glass brought his attention back to around to her.
\u201cWhat\u2019s my name!\u201d she shouted.
A good question, Robert tried hard to recall but it eluded his mind. That was how bad he wanted to forget this woman, the gut feeling his senses warned that there was nothing but trouble waiting in the wings.
\u201cWhat\u2019s my name, you, you jerk!\u201d
Thankfully, a hand placed itself on Robert\u2019s shoulder, drawing him back from the station.
\u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d said his boss calmly as he stepped up, \u201cI must insist you leave the premises immediately.\u201d
To emphasize the request, the security guard stepped up behind her. She sneered at them and stepped back. Her fist clenched tight, but she stepped back. \u201cI\u2019m not through with you, ROBERT!\u201d she said and brushed past the guard striding out the lobby.
Robert breathed a sigh of relief as his boss apologized to the other customers. How did she find me, he wondered. His body shook and he turned leaning up against one of the records cabinets to steady himself. Great, now I\u2019m going to have to look over my back every time I come to work, what else can go wrong here.
That familiar, menacing hand slapped down on a shoulder again, Robert tensing, knowing full well who it was.
\u201cRobert,\u201d came the menacing voice of the boss, \u201cPlease close up your till and come see me in my office.\u201d
\u201cDamn\u2014”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monday, a standard long, boring Monday at work and Robert felt like time stopped all together as he glanced up through his protective plexiglass shield at the large clock on the wall across the lobby.Another customer stepped up to his … Continue reading