The Banking Bureau

This story is by Karen Crawford and was part of our 2025 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Juggling her black coffee and a large box of doughnuts, Sherra clumsily rushed through the door of the bank lobby. Greeted by the smell of fresh wax from the well-polished floors done over the weekend, she glanced up at the clock in the lobby and then over at Mr. Bowers, the bank manager, who was watching her from his office. Trying not to slip on the floors, she made her way to the employee break room. 

She struggled to put the doughnuts on the table without letting the strap of her shoulder bag fall down, which might have spilled her coffee, when she noticed her co-worker. “Oh, James! It’s so good to see you! How’d your uncle’s quote unquote weekend soiree go?”  

 Surprised by her question, he tried to remain nonchalant. “Yeah, it was great. Lots of brandy, steaks, and ‘important’ men.” Then dropping his guard, he added smugly, “I even met Old Schneider!  Funny old guy.”

“Schneider?”

“Yeah, the big shot from Goldman Sachs. Apparently, he’s in the family…uncle seems to be introducing me to more and more of them lately.”

Slightly perplexed, she probed, “Well, that sounds odd to me. Are relatives coming out of the woodwork because he’s getting pretty old or what?” 

“I don’t know.” But, flattered by Sherra’s attention, he revealed, “You know, he says I’m the son he never had, so I’ll probably just take his spot in his company down the road and I’ll need to know the old boys.” 

Sherra smiled, and James gushed on, “You should’ve seen Bowers though! He looked as nervous as a new employee. Funny watching him trying to fit in…his self-importance of winning the Southern District’s Bank President of the Year Award!–not many managers get that one! I think my uncle sees some ‘potential’ in him.” And, then he added a “Hmph!” with a smirk.

They stopped and listened as they heard footsteps from Anna, Lain, and Hammad following Mr. Bowers into the room as if in a march. 

“Better get a doughnut everyone. We open in 15, and James, be sure to take care of that matter that your uncle mentioned for Schneider. Let me know if you have any problems.” 

“I’ll get right on it.” 

The morning was usual for a Monday. Weekend sales deposits from local businesses, change orders for their tills, and the picking up of empty deposit bags for the week made every small business owner feel important. The accounts had been flagged for those who died since Friday morning, and everyone had signed off on the large debit/credit transaction sheet. Even the cup holding the silver pens for bank customers to walk away with was filled. 

By early afternoon, they went into action. Wire transfers to international destinations had to be placed before 2 p.m. to register as deposits on the following day. James filled out the paperwork for a deposit for Zurich, one for LLoyds of London, and three more for Cayman. And, on time, Schneider showed up ‘unexpectedly’ to ‘say goodbye’ to Bowers on his way out of town and congratulated Bowers once again on his award. 

James, carrying the unsigned wire transfer paperwork, hastily entered Bower’s office.

“Oh, sorry to interrupt!  It’s Mr. Schneider, right? I met you at my uncle’s the other day.” and offered him a handshake.

“Yes, how observant of you, young man. I just wanted to see where the celebrated Bowers worked. A man with such control of the finances of this bank is a place I may want to secure a few of my wife’ s accounts.”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Bowers is the best.” and quickly turning towards Bowers, James continued, “Mr. Bowers, can you just sign off on these transfers, and then I’ll take them back to Sherra.” 

Tilting his head upward while looking down his nose, Mr. Bowers scratched his signature on the half-dozen or so pages pre-arranged for his signature. 

“Thank you, Mr. Bowers, and again, I’m sorry to have interrupted.” and turning towards the visitor politely said, “I hope to see you again, Mr. Schneider!” James hastily walked to Sherra’s office and processed the paperwork to the intermediary bank.

 

A few days later, a routine seemed to be in place. James was confident that he had secured the funds from cash receipts and business deposits from his audit of the teller’s transactions. He was ready to get Bowers’ signature on the paperwork for the next international transfers. 

Mr. Bowers had been walking around with a bloated chest most of the morning, or at least ever since Schneider’s secretary called requesting to take Bowers to lunch at the local country club to discuss transferring some of his wife’s accounts to him. She was said to be worth billions. In Bower’s mind, he envisioned more involvement with the movers and shakers of the financial world.

Returning from lunch, Bowers immediately opened a new account with an eleven figure deposit for Schneider’s third wife, Penelope. James was waiting for their return, and again, approached the two men with the transfer paperwork. “Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Bowers I need your signature.” and handed the documents to a pretentious Bowers who didn’t mask his signature. 

Other than Schneider’s mammoth transaction disclosed on the next morning’s debit/credit transaction sheet, the following two weeks went along with close to the same routine. A few minor adjustments were efficiently made, but for the most part, James’ uncle would have been pleased, very pleased. 

James continued to swoon over Bowers as often as he could. And with the holidays approaching, James’s compliments on Bowers’ dinner plans for the local staff’s celebration was well received. 

Bowers gloated, “Well, only the best for the best bank in the southern district this year!”  

After the holiday rush and just before New Year’s Day, Bowers was opening his mail in his office when he saw James enter the lobby. Buzzing his secretary, he directed her to stop James and send him to his office. 

“James! I was wondering if you were going to the Cayman’s this weekend for the holiday.”  

Since he hadn’t requested any time off, James was a little startled and replied, “Uhh, no. For what?”

“Oh, Schneider and a few others invited me down to start the New Year off right. I thought you and your uncle might be joining us.”

“Oh, he did call me.That must’ve been what it was for. I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Well, if you can’t come, I’ll tell you about it when I get back.”

 

His plane landed a few days later, and Bowers couldn’t believe the scenery. He was so fortunate. He had never been to the Caymans.

Admiring the beautiful beach in the distance while waiting for the limo to depart the arrival gate, he caught a glimpse of James and Schneider entering the FBO hangar on the far side of the airport, but then, the limo pulled away from the pickup spot. 

No worries. This will be a great start of the new year. He was anticipating the perks of becoming part of the international scene. A new year and more prospects, he hoped.

Slowly, the limo moved towards the FBO hangar and stopped midway. The driver opened the glass window between them and handed him a large manila envelope.

Bowers lifted the tape off of the lip and carefully pulled the contents. An FBI warrant for a bank audit at his bank, a bank receipt from Singapore for $300K, and a typed note reading:  

“Well done, Bowers. We would like you to join our team permanently. If you choose, the bank receipt will be your first month’s paycheck. We are in the hangar in front of you. Please make a decision. We hope to see you. Otherwise, good luck with the wire fraud audit.” 

At that moment, their lives changed. Bowers got out of the limo and tapped the roof to signal the driver to leave. Walking slowly towards the hangar, he took out his cell and called Sherra.

“All has gone well. Tell them to move in and pick up the limo driver, too. He knows more than just a hired driver.”

“Yes, sir, they are moving now.”

He could see the collective movement coming across the air strip, so he slowed his pace as he walked towards the hangar in case they were watching him. 

“Oh, and Sherra, wherever we meet again, bring some cinnamon twists in the doughnut box, okay?”

“You got it!  Nice work, and I hope headquarters teams us up again in the future. It’s been a pleasure working with you, sir.” 

“You, too.”

Almost to the hangar, Bowers pivoted towards the FBI’s black Suburban parked nearby. He watched through the Suburban’s tinted windows while anticipating indulging himself in the tropics. A minute later, a sly smile crossed his face when he saw a stunned James and Schneider cuffed and escorted away. Yes, Schneider was right. The Caymans may be the place to start the new year off right.