Michael knew.
A commercial investment portfolio worth approximately sixteen million dollars.
“No.”
David raised an eyebrow.
“Exactly.”
He gestured toward Arthur.
“My job is to manage priorities.”
Michael looked through the glass.
“With respect, sir, shouldn’t we at least check his account?”
David leaned back.
“Do you want to know one of the things experience teaches you?”
Michael said nothing.
“You learn to recognize customers.”
“Recognize?”
“Who needs five minutes and who needs fifty.”
Michael frowned.
David continued.
“That man probably has an inactive checking account with sixty dollars in it.”
“Sarah can deal with him when she has time.”
“He asked specifically for you.”
“Everyone thinks the branch manager needs to solve their personal problem.”
David pointed toward the door.
“Go handle your own queue.”
Michael remained still for another second.
David’s expression hardened.
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
Michael left.
He returned to his workstation feeling ashamed.
Arthur waited.
No complaint.
No raised voice.
Thirty minutes passed.
Then forty-five.
At noon, David’s commercial client arrived.
Arthur watched staff members greet the man almost ceremonially.
“Mr. Davenport.”
“Wonderful to see you.”
“Can I bring you sparkling water?”
“Mr. Keller is ready for you.”
A receptionist opened the glass door personally.
Arthur looked at the clock.
He had been waiting almost an hour.
At 12:08, he stood.
His knee hurt.
That irritated him more than the delay.
He picked up his cane and walked toward David’s office.
Sarah noticed.
“Sir.”
Arthur continued.
“Sir, you need to wait.”
David saw him approaching.
The manager excused himself from Mr. Davenport and stepped into the hallway before Arthur could enter the office.
“Yes?”
His tone was impatient.
Arthur stopped.
“I have waited nearly an hour.”
“I understand.”
“No, I’m not sure you do.”
David folded his arms.
“What exactly do you need?”
“My account checked.”
“Customer service handles account inquiries.”
“She has not checked it.”
David glanced toward Sarah.
Then back.
Arthur continued.
“There is also a matter I wished to discuss with the branch manager.”
“What matter?”
Arthur pointed toward the folder.
“My banking relationship.”
David sighed.
“Fine.”
He held out a hand.
Arthur retrieved the folder from Sarah’s counter and gave it to him.
David did not open it.
Arthur noticed.
“The account reference is inside.”
David gave a humorless smile.
“Sir, I can already tell you what has probably happened.”
Arthur’s expression remained neutral.
“Without looking?”
“I’ve been in banking for twenty-one years.”
“Congratulations.”
David either missed the irony or ignored it.
“When an old account stops processing transactions, the usual causes are inactivity, insufficient balance, or a compliance restriction.”
“Then check which one.”
“I’m trying to save both of us time.”
“You would save time by checking.”