Hoffers stared agape, his frown as much caustic as real. He swallowed hard and queried the desk officer as though she just spoke in unknown tongues. He almost looked behind to see if she was referring to someone behind him.
“I am talking to you, sir!” the desk officer remarked and raised the card, “Actually there is seven hundred thousand dollars on this card. But it has been permanently disposed to fifty years fixed deposit, which can only be terminated by the account bearer…” she enunciated briefly.
Hoffers gasped. His heartbeat ended with a thud as sudden heaviness stole into this heart. “What do you mean, huh?” his stuttering was full of ruin. And he wondered if his speech would remain thus after this trouble.
“Please I don’t understand you.” Tears swam in his voice, . Already his roughened face clamored for help. “Can you explain yet further, please? He demanded coldly.
The desk officer leaned forward and pointed into a document, “Look up here, sir, it is fixed for fifty years, meaning no one, not even the account bearer, can access the fund until fifty years…”
“Holy cow!” Hoffers exclaimed at the tops of his lungs and caught the attention of onlookers, “What do you mean by that, huh? Do you realize who gave me this card? How dare you make such utterance?”
The desk officer who had glasses on her eyes all the while, took it off so Hoffers could see the seriousness in her eyes, “With due respect sir, I know Mike Don is the bearer of this account.” She raised the card once more. “We have all the details here, I am only…”
Hoffers interjected abruptly, “Only what! How can you tell me I can’t withdraw the money on the credit card and I would have to wait till fifty years? What is happening?” He molded his lips; sorrow crept into his heart with claws.
“Sir, why don’t you return to the world richest man and lay your complaint. We are only the managers of his bank account. I presume you know his current net worth. For a Croesus that is worth five hundred trillion dollars there are certain policies guiding his finance, and this is one of it.”
Hoffers’ gaze widened at his momentary offender, “And so? How the hell does it concern me? Mike Don paid me with this card and I am here now to withdraw the money you are speaking in other tongues. Please I need my money. You can’t deprive me of it!” his voice came banging as he was already creating a scene.
“Excuse me, sir!” she beamed, “It is not our fault. The policy is coming from Mike Don and not Rio Hondo Community Bank.”
Fear shot into him and energy shoved out of him. “What! Mike Don did this? Are you kidding me or what? Listen up; perhaps you want me to open up. I sold my restaurant to him out rightly and he made payment for it using this card and he ordered me to go right away and cash out. So that is why I am here. Please give me my money and stop speaking English!” he bit at her.
The desk officer sucked a deep breath and explained yet further “Can you please chin up, sir while I explain. When Mike Don opened this current account with us, he limited it to the policy of no fund withdrawals until fifty years…”
Hoffers interposed, “Why would he limit it till such time? Does he want me to access my money in the grave, huh? Please I am a civilized, patriotic citizen; I don’t want to act stupid. I suggest you just break the damn protocols right now and give me my money else I would create a more maddening scene than this!” he slammed his palms on the desk.
The desk officer flinched, armed herself with caution, as she explained yet further, “Hold on sir. Hold on sir…” she intoned, gestured at Hoffers who wouldn’t stop yelling at the tops of his lungs. “It is not in our power to break the policy. Only Mike Don can reverse the policy and open the account so you can withdraw your money.”
“What do you mean?” Hoffers queried. Frustration swamped him. He dared to speak further but lost his voice to stuttering, “What do you mean? What would become of me now, huh? You don’t know what I have been through in these past few days…” He sniffed, molded a teary face and lowered his gaze.
Suddenly the knocking of a pair of shoes on the floor interrupted them and when they swirled around, a charming, well-suited , shot-haired young man with a bright face, was advancing to them.
“Good morning, sir.” The desk officer greeted in a humble tone, the moment the young man neared them.
The young man was the manager of Rio Hondo Bank.
“I have been over hearing voices from my office. What could be the problem, dear?” He stared Hoffers down and returned his cheerful gaze on the desk officer,
Seeing the young man, Hoffers thought there was solution now, so he let a breath of relief.
“I have been trying to explain our policy to him, sir but he has proven to be heady.” She raised the credit card, “This is a credit card from the world richest man. Mr. Hoffers did a transaction with him and got paid with it but the account is on fixed deposit for fifty years.”
Hoffers let loose like a mad dog, “Can you imagine the rubbish!” he widened his gaze on the young man, “I believe you are the manager. Please I have come to withdraw the money on this card and she is telling me about some gibberish policy…”
The manager hummed and snorted, “With all due respect, sir, my staff just told you the truth. The money on the credit card is only accessible in fifty years. But if you doubt it, you can return to Mike Don and he will explain better. Currently Mike Don is worth five hundred trillion dollars and many banks like us use his money to trade and run business which in return earns him more profit as us. This has limited some of his bank accounts to fixed deposits.
Hoffers sat on the floor, his hands on the head. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” he wailed…
Something was about to happen...