Page 191 - Musings 2021

John: (quite confused, remembering his grandfather’s funeral from 2 weeks ago). Grandpa is
here with us?

Martha: Yes darling, he will always look over us and be here with us, in our hearts and our
minds.

John: (smiles widely). I think I feel his presence.

Robert: (starts chuckling). Of course, you do.

(Robert and Martha start conversing about adult matters and John moves forward slightly in
the line. John notices two men standing in front of him, wearing seemingly heavy clothing.
Their attire was completely black and one of them was wearing a long coat that hung just
above his feet. He slowly tiptoed towards them and pretended to be a spy like those in his
favourite action movies.)

Robber 1: (in a low, discreet tone). Let’s take out the guns once we reach the front of the
queue. We should be able to hold the manager at gunpoint and use him to get the credentials
to the vault.

Robber 2: (nodding his head). Yes, I don’t think anybody suspects anything at the moment so
we should have the element of surprise.

(Both robbers are unaware of the small kid who had overheard their entire plan. John is very
worried about what will happen to his family and him if they start attacking the people inside
the bank. He slowly backs away from the pair and towards his parents.)

John: (fear running rampant in his eyes and quivering). Mom, Dad, something bad is about
to happen. I heard these two men in front of us talking about looting the bank. I am very
scared right now and I do not know what to do.

Robert: (kneels to his son’s height). Are you sure you didn’t imagine this John?

John: (on the verge of tears). No, I promise, I am sure I heard it properly.

Martha: (also gets down on her knees and embraces John). Okay we believe you, honey.
Daddy will go check it out okay. Don’t be scared. Everything will be alright.

(Robert gets up and approaches the two men cautiously, but turns back and smiles at his son
midway, to instil some calmness in John who had started sobbing by then. He continued
walking towards them, but he knew something was off. The two robbers had heard John
sobbing and figured out that Robert was onto them. Before Robert could say anything, one of
them pulled out a pistol and shot him in the chest. The other robber took out his submachine
gun and opened fire at the security desk, killing the only two guards that were on duty. Robert
collapses instantly in front of his wife and son and everybody else in the bank gets on the
floor so as to avoid getting shot. Reuben rushes to John and Martha’s side.)

Martha: (screams and rushes to her husband’s side). Nooo! You monsters! Why?!

Robert: (gasping for breath). Take John to safety. Now...

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