WWJD Karen

The day started like any other...

I rolled over, checked my phone and stared. The date read June first, and to most that would hold very little significance. For me this day would be full of strangers, full of strange smells, berating me for things that were out of my control. Filled with dread my limbs turned to stone, and the urge to call in filled my bones.

I could imagine it now the line would already be forming. People coming to get their money, and they always filled my days with pain. I got ready, putting in minimal effort, and drove to work. Knowing what was in store for me I stopped at Starbucks to get a Venti White Chocolate Mocha with extra expresso. I deserve this just for showing up today I told myself as I handed over the money.

The drive to the local credit union only took about thirty minutes. Just as expected a line was already forming. I park and watch the crowd grow and groan. I sneak inside, careful to not be seen, punch my timecard. Its 8:30am and the race is on to get the branch opened before the doors open.

I look at who all is here: 4 tellers, our receptionist, the manager and me. I groan internally as the manager says, " You'll have to run a drawer today". Though I hate it I look at her, smile and say, "Okay". Everyone puts in their buys and pray they have enough the weather the storm outside, but we all know it's never enough. We open our drawers, put extra checks in the printer and distribute the mail that came in early this morning. By the time all that is done the doors are open and the lobby is flooded with people. The first three members of the day have simple easy transactions that take very little time. Then in come Karen with her WWJD hat.

"Hello how may I help you today", I ask with a smile. She looked at me with distain and said, " I have been waiting for thirty minutes. Cash this". I said, "I'm sorry for the wait. We are very busy on the first", and grabbed the check laying on the counter.

One look at the check and my blood ran cold. The check was an out of state check for fifteen thousand dollars. I looked at her account again praying she had received this check before. Unfortunately, she hadn't and didn't have enough funds to cover the check if it was to come back returned. I look at the lady, my chest squeezed and my hands felt damp in anticipation of her reaction, and said, "Ma'am I'm going to check with my manager, but more than likely this check will have to go on a five day business hold". Her face turned red and she started to yell, "Why would you make me wait and then hold my check!!". I look at her and try to smile, hoping being friendly will help, and said, " Ma'am I'm sorry about the inconvenience and I will be having my manager look at it, but wanted to prepare you incase she says it need to go on hold due to the amount".

I phone my manager, Linda, and say, "Hey it is me. Would you be able to come over here for a moment". She starts walking over and I can tell from her face this is not going to end well. When she gets to the window Linda turned to face Karen. "Hello I'm the manager. How may I help you", Linda says with a fake smile. Karen smiles smugly and said, "I want this girl fired. She is discriminating against me and refusing to cash my check". My mouth literally drops from the story she just told my manager. Linda looks at me and says, "Mindy, can I see the check".

Linda looks the check over, taking in all the little details like the amount, bank it is drawn off, and state of issuance. Linda glances at me apologetically and turns back to Karen and said, "I'm sorry but since this check is an out of state check and the amount we will have to place it on a five day business hold". Karen's face turns red and she stomps her foot and says, "If you don't cash this check I am going to close my account and tell everyone how discriminatory this bank is".

Linda smiles and says, "Ms. Karen, I'm sorry you feel that way but per our policy I can not cash this check. If you would like to close your account we would hate to lose you as a member, but that is your right".

Karen's face falls and she takes the check. "I'm leaving and I will never be back to this branch", Karen says and walked away in a hurry. Linda looked at me apologetically and says, " Maybe she won't come back this time", and then she walked back to her office to make a phone call.