Page 190 - Musings 2021

Reuben: (having overheard the conversation unknowingly) Well kiddo, your mom is right.
All of us bank personnel are trained to handle emergencies and situations as well. Those
robbers don’t stand a chance, okay? What is your name?

John: (after hesitating slightly, says politely). John. My name is John Goodall.

(Reuben gets up from his seat and puts his hand out to greet the Goodalls. Robert shakes his
hand while Martha puts on a smile and mouths a ‘Hello’. John hides behind his parents.)

Robert: (whilst shaking hands with Reuben). Say, whom should I approach to open a new
bank account?
Reuben: Well sir, that depends on who the account is for? Is it for the little one?

Robert: Yes, my son has recently turned ten and I would like to start an account for him. My
wife and I feel he needs to learn to handle money on his own and be responsible with it.

Reuben: (looking at the whole family). That’s great sir. It’s never too early to start teaching
kids good habits and important values.

Reuben: (looking solely at John). Well, aren’t you a big boy now? Come. Let me show you
the way.

Reuben guides the Goodalls to the furthest kiosk from the entrance. He points the parents in
the right direction.

John: (on seeing the impressive structure in the wall in front of him). Excuse me, but what is
that? It looks huge!

Reuben: (notices that John has his eyes fixed on the gleaming vault, gestures for him to come
with him that way). You see John, this is a vault. It is what banks use to keep valuable items
safe. Many people are worried about having precious items stolen from them, so they
approach a bank and keep it in here because banks are one of the safest places to store
valuables. Along with that, the vault contains actual money and gold, which people have
deposited here for safekeeping.

Reuben: (gesturing his finger over his mouth). Shush, don’t tell anyone. It’s our secret.

John: (in utter disbelief). Woah, okay. I promise.

(John runs back to his parents while Reuben went ahead to inform the bank personnel in
charge about the Goodalls’ purpose of visit.)

John: (in pure excitement along with those big glistening eyes). Mom, Dad, did you know
that that thing is called the vault? It’s really big and looks very cool.

Robert: (pats his son’s head). Yeah, banks are a cool place for kids to visit.

Martha: (in deep thought and nostalgia). I remember the first time my dad took me to the
bank. It wasn’t all this fancy, and it wasn’t very safe either. But I dared to go because I had
my dad with me, and he always used to make me feel safe. Your grandfather would have
loved to take you to the bank for your first time. It’s a good thing he is here with us in spirit.

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