When A Petty Bank Teller Kills Hope

My temper flared instantly.

The photo on my employee badge had only been taken a month ago. How could I not look like it? But thinking of Lucy's worsening condition, I forced myself to swallow my anger.

"How can I prove that I'm the person in the photo?"

Judith rolled her eyes as she answered arrogantly, "How should I know? Aren't you the one who likes following procedures? Go online and look up the bank's regulations, then prepare everything again."

I clenched my fists silently, forced a smile, and tried to stay friendly and polite.

"Ma'am, could you please make an exception? This money is to be paid to the hospital for surgical fees. It's an urgent, life-saving matter! The little girl I'm helping—"

"Stop right there!" Judith cut me off immediately. "Miss, these are bank regulations. Your paperwork raises red flags. I can't possibly take on the risk just to help process it!"

"Besides, everyone who comes to the bank is in a hurry. Go back and prepare additional verification documents!" she added while lazily picking at her ear.

With no other choice, I rushed back to the organization's office.

By the time I gathered all the additional verification documents, it was already 4:00 pm. I hadn't even eaten lunch.

I ran back to the bank, sweaty and exhausted. Thankfully, I was the only customer there.

At 4:20 pm, I approached the counter once more.

"Hi, I came earlier this morning. These are supplemental documents verifying my employment status. They also have signatures from our organization's directors and government officials. Please take a look."

Just when I thought I could finally complete the deposit, Judith once again didn't even bother looking at the documents. Still chatting and laughing with her coworkers, she turned toward me irritably and raised her wrist to show me her watch.

"This transaction will take at least 50 minutes. It'll be way past closing time then. Go home. We can't process it today."

Before I could say another word, she shut down her station and got up, refusing to speak to me any further.

I stood there frozen and panicking inside.

Eventually, a security guard came over and tried to usher me out. "Do you want them to put you on the bank's blacklist? Just come back tomorrow."

…

When I got home, I collapsed onto my bed from exhaustion. I'd never imagined that depositing a single check could be this difficult.

What made things worse was hearing from a colleague that the hospital Lucy was at only had accounts with this specific bank. And the bank's policy was that large checks could only be processed in person at their counters.

That meant I had to go back to that same bank again tomorrow!

I felt even more tired—not just physically but also emotionally disheartened.

At that moment, Lucy's mother sent me a message.

"Morgan, has the surgical fee gone through yet? Sorry to bother you, but the hospital is urging us again. They said the funds need to arrive within this week. Otherwise, they'll have to cancel the surgery and pass on the kidney…"

I massaged my throbbing temples and explained to her that there was an issue with the check.

Lucy's mother was very gentle.

"Don't fret about it. The paperwork and procedures are indeed very complicated these days, and the staff can be very rigid and difficult, too. Don't argue with them, lest you get into trouble yourself. Thank you for everything you've done."

Her words warmed my heart.

I sprang up from the bed and promised her that the surgical fees would be deposited very soon. Then, I immediately scheduled an appointment for 10:00 am the next day—to make sure all the staff had already finished their breakfast.

…

At 9:50 am the next morning, I arrived early at the bank and checked the situation inside before walking in.

Good. All five tellers were already working.

At exactly 10:00 am, I walked into the lobby. When the system assigned me to Counter 1, my eyes widened in bewilderment.

How did I end up at Judith's counter yet again?