The Bank Story

Brad Shapiro was a reporter for the Leesburg Daily News, a suburban newspaper. His paper was unable to compete with the big city newspaper regarding state, national and international news. The big paper even claimed better coverage of regional news regarding multiple suburbs and county-wide happenings.

Back at the Carterville News, the small-town paper Brad came from, there was no competition from a big city because they were so far away. They were the only outlet for printed news. Even though the major news stories came from external outlets, such as AP and UPI, Carterville News could comment on and write editorials about the world-wide news. Sometimes Carterville reporters were able to contact individuals who were involved in those big stories, such as survivors of tornadoes, train wrecks, etc.

But here at the suburban paper, they were more or less forced to focus on local news, which paled in comparison with the news in the big papers. They usually highlighted weddings, social events, fund-raisers, and of course, local sports, including high school football. But frequently the suburban paper would try to sink its teeth into a local human interest story.

Brad was in his one-bedroom apartment, thinking out loud, “I think I made a career mistake by leaving Carterville. I’m making more money here, but now I’m stuck in a low-volume outlet. Writing about sporting events and things such as chili cook-offs and watermelon-eating contests is not adding to my value as a journalist.

“If only I could land a big story to add to my resume. Then I could look for a better job somewhere else.”

Then it occurred to him. About that time, there had been a string of successful bank robberies in and around the big city.

Brad was excited. “This is my chance! I think I can put together a big story about this.”

He thought about how to tackle this opportunity. After thinking it through, he decided that a direct approach would be best.

So, Brad called the First National Bank of Leesburg and asked for the name of the bank’s president.

The operator said, “Alexander Waterhouse.”

“May I speak to him, please?

“Let me transfer you to his secretary. One moment, please.”

After about five seconds, the voice answered, “Mr. Waterhouse’s office. This is Ms. Hargrove. How may I assist you?”

“Good morning, Ms. Hargrove. My name is Brad Shapiro. I am a reporter for the Leesburg Daily News. I would like to visit with Mr. Waterhouse to get some background information about your bank for a story I’m working on. Would that be possible this afternoon or tomorrow?”

“Let me check with him. I’m putting you on hold and I will be right back with you.” After about a minute, Ms. Hargrove was back on the line.

“Mr. Waterhouse says he has about 30 minutes available at two o’clock this afternoon. Would that work for you?”

“That is a good time for me.”

“Fine. Let me put it on his calendar. You said your name is Brad Shapiro, correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“We will see you at two this afternoon, Mr. Shapiro.”

After hanging up, Brad pumped his elbow down and said, “YES! This is my big break!”

Brad arrived at the bank at 1:45 and waited in his car. Good business etiquette is to arrive no more than ten minutes early nor five minutes late for an appointment. He got out of his car at 1:50. That allowed time for him to get directions to Mr. Waterhouse’s office and to arrive there not too early.

Brad introduced himself to Ms. Hargrove. She picked up her phone to announce his arrival. She hung up and said it would be just a few minutes and to have a seat.

Sure enough, only a few minutes later, the president opened his door and said, “Mr. Shapiro?”

Brad stood and said, “Yes, sir.”

“Alexander Waterhouse,” he said, offering his hand to shake. “Nice to meet you.”

As they shook hands, Brad said, “Brad Shapiro. Thank you for taking time to see me.”

“Please come into my office.” After both were seated, Waterhouse continued, “I understand that you’re writing a story. Tell me how I can help.”

“Mr. Waterhouse, I’m sure you’re aware of the recent bank robberies in the area. I would like to know what steps you have taken to protect your depositors in case of an attempt to rob this bank.”

Waterhouse began slowly, “Mr. Shapiro, you’re not suggesting that I allow you to publish our top secret security plan, are you?”

“Well, yes sir. I thought you would want your customers to know how you plan to protect their money on deposit with you.”

“Mr. Shapiro, surely you’re aware that if you publish details of our security plan, everyone will know those details, including potential bank robbers. If the robbers know in advance what we will do, then they can work their strategy around that information.”

“But Mr. Waterhouse, don’t you want to give your customers assurance that their funds are safe in your bank?”

“Of course. In your story, just say that we have multiple strategies in place to prevent a robbery from happening. Trust me, that’s all they want to know.

“But Mr. Waterhouse—.”

Waterhouse interrupted, “I’m sorry, Mr. Shapiro. I will not allow you to publish any details of our plan. That’s final.”

When Brad began to object again, Waterhouse shut him down, “I said that’s final. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Brad reluctantly gave in. “No, sir. Thank you for your time.”

So, Brad Shapiro left without his “big break” of a story. He was so dejected that he just sat in his car for a while. But when he started the car and put the gearshift on “D” for “Drive”, he came up with a clever idea for getting his story.

He thought to himself, “‘D’ for ‘Drive’. That’s it! I’ll drive around to the drive-through window.” So, that’s what he did.

When he pulled up to the window, he asked the teller, “What would you do if I told you that this is a hold-up?”

Brad soon found out.

The teller immediately left the window and pressed the silent alarm button as she made her exit.

That left Brad all alone in his car, wondering what had happened to his friend in the drive-through booth.

But not for long.

Brad soon discovered lots of new friends, who drove as fast as they could to meet and greet him in their cars with flashing red lights and loud sirens. And they all greeted him in a way that is reserved only for special occasions—weapons drawn, pointed directly at him.

One of the officers ordered Brad, “Sir, step out of the car and bend over the hood with your hands behind your back.”

Brad did as he was told, and was given a pair of interconnecting, stainless steel bracelets to wear. Then he was given the honor of being chauffeured all alone in the back seat of a police car to headquarters. Once there, he was introduced to some high-ranking officers and given a free tour of the Leesburg city jail.

Naturally, Brad was questioned extensively, and he tried desperately to explain the bank president’s rude refusal to answer his questions and the events following his innocent interview with the drive-through teller. “The teller must have misunderstood the question,” he said.

Mr. Waterhouse, who was standing on the other side of the two-way mirror, corroborated Brad’s story about the meeting that they had.

A short while later Brad’s boss, the editor, arrived and was taken to another interview room to do a LOT OF EXPLAINING.

After talking with the editor and verifying that Brad did not have a weapon, the police were convinced that he didn’t really intend to rob the bank. So, they let him go.

The editor chose not to print the story about how the First National Bank handled bank robberies—or how they found out.