The Case Of The Flame-retardant Teller

The Case of the Flame-Retardant Teller

I barely survived a three-alarm meltdown in lane two of the bank drive-through, and I was the one who started the fire. I had endorsed two checks and recorded them on my deposit slip. No other cars were waiting, yet the teller seemed to be taking an unusual amount of time on my transaction. When I glanced at the window, I noticed that she had called in a supervisor to help her.

“We can’t deposit this check,” the supervisor said. “It’s not made out correctly.” It was made out to the name on my freelance business account, which was on the account (along with my name) but not officially registered. It had happened a few times before and was always remedied by a quick phone call to the bank officer who helped me set up the account (and who now, after twenty years, worked for another bank). I explained all of this in a loud, agitated voice, but the supervisor didn’t budge. When the teller asked if there was a bank officer she could call, I told her he now worked for a competitor. Then I asked if she’d rather I drive two blocks up the street and deposit it with them. (Yes. I did.)

“Are you going to deposit the check or not?” I asked her.

“I can’t without the registration,” she replied. “Would you like an application for it? The fee is fifteen dollars.”

“I fail to see how that is going to help me today,” I responded.

If I’d been in her position, I would not have offered. Not after a response like that. Once I was inside, she filled out the application, notarized it, and told me she would deliver it herself that afternoon if I made out a check to the county clerk. She proved the truth that a soft answer turns away wrath, because she turned away mine. Her calm was like a fire extinguisher that doused my rage.

I was much more humble when I left the bank than when I entered. And I went back the next day to apologize in person for my bad behavior. The teller was just as gracious then as she had been the day before.

By our speech we can ruin the world.

James 3:6, MSG