Gold is an able servant but a cruel master.
THE LOOKING GLASS
THE FIRST INSTALLMENT from my publishing contract came in April. When the check arrived my younger brother, Barry, who had come to work for me, brought it into my office. For a moment we both just sat and stared at it.
“You ever see a check that big?” Barry asked.
“No. Definitely not with my name on it.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“Put it in the bank.”
I faxed a copy of the check to a few of my friends (they had asked to see it), then Barry and I went to our bank. I walked up to the teller and handed her the check. “I’ll need some cash back,” I said.
For a moment she just stared at the check. Then she said, “I think you need to see someone else about this.”
She led us over to a man sitting at a desk. Barry and I sat down in the chairs in front of him.
“What seems to be the problem?” he asked.
“I was just trying to deposit this check and I asked for some cash back.” I handed him the check. I saw the surprise on his face. “Just a moment,” he said, and he left the room. About five minutes later he returned, followed by a tall, smiling man.
“Mr. Evans,” he said, “what a pleasure. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. You’re on the wrong side of the bank.”
Barry and I looked at each other. We didn’t know there was another side. The smiling man led us over to the promised land of banking services. On the other side of the bank everyone knew who I was. Everyone seemed much happier over there. And there were little dishes of candy at every desk.
