Gotta Catch The Pretty Ones
© 2011-2014 by Mr. David R. Dorrycott
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Parker Davidson finished reading the wire that had come in regarding his query. Parker was the Sub-Manager of new accounts, and having read the wire in his hands he realized that he might just have a major new account sitting at his desk. Looking out of the wire room through the glass door towards his desk he could barely see the two young woman. One was a Pokeball Tech, and with that red hair and missing hand she could only be Sara Richards. Beside her sat a brunette who he had been surprised to discover was her wife. He was aware of Sara because her accident had been big news in the Pokemon community, of Penny he doubted more than a few words had been written. Now he had the two of them in his office, with a rather impressive and quite legal cheque from Tarragon Industries in his hands.
The Imperial Bank of Warren Hill was used to handling such sums, in fact used to handling much greater sums than this but only for companies and the ultra rich. His query to the cheque’s issuer had simply been bank protocol, after all the forgery of cheque’s was not unknown especially for such a sum and with a request for half in two cashiers cheque it had naturally raised red flags. Walking back out to the waiting women he sat down, facing them. “Your cheque is quite legal Mrs. Richards” he said, watching the relief blossom on both women’s faces. “But you must know this, what you have here is a final settlement cheque. By signing this cheque you release Tarragon Industries from all further claims regarding your injury. Although I will be delighted to open an investment account for you and give you the sum you request, I would be highly remiss in my duties if I did not strongly suggest that you get legal council regarding this.”
He openly looked at Sara’s right arm, her stump hidden below his desk at the moment. “That is a horrifying injury Mrs. Richards and one that has seriously affected your ability to work in your trained field. Please, the PokeTech Guild Hall is only three blocks East of our front door. It is to your better future that you have legal advisement from them and as quickly as possible. But whatever you do, do not sign that cheque until you are ready to deposit it somewhere.”
“Thank you Mr. Davidson” Sara said lifting her right arm so that her ruined stump was visible. ”We have just come from the Guild Hall though and their lawyers have explained that Tarragon has already set aside a sum for the prosthetic, as well as my current and possible future medical needs. You see sir, this was not an accident, this was sabotage. The information will be in tonight’s news broadcasts. Although I am sworn not to speak of the details until they are made public, I am permitted to tell you that Tarragon was found completely blameless in this matter. Their safety protocols are still the best.”
“That will make my investors happy” Davidson admitted. “I do understand that you are sworn to secrecy but I would hazard a guess that both of you are bursting to tell someone.”
“We are” Penny admitted. “ But we won’t because it’d hurt us worse than anyone else if we broke our word, we would lose that cheque and its funds for a start. Besides, my sister would spank me for hours.” She gave the man a big smile. “It was always Candy’s favorite way of punishing me when we grew up. So the cheque is good? We can open an investment account?”
“Yes you can” Davidson agreed. “Now, this is the important part. Will you want to enter the stock market, mutual funds, precious metals, CDs, property or business?”
Both women looked at him with near blank eyes, then at each other. “Geeeee....” Sara managed to say, then turned her attention to Davidson again. “Um, we have absolutely no idea” she admitted. Beside her Penny nodded her own head in agreement. “I guess we should just stick it in a savings account.”
Having run across this problem before Davidson gave the women a warm smile. “Relax ladies, it really isn’t that difficult a decision and truthfully, though you should put some of your funds in a savings account it has a very poor long term return on investment. It does though protect your money while making it available at any time you desire without early withdraw fees. What you should decide first is how long you want your investment for. A short term profit, say three to six months. Mid-term hedge against unexpected costs, say ten to twenty years or a long term retirement account. Considering the amount of money that you are investing, your ages, health and the fact that you are married I would suggest a small amount in a short term investment, say a six or twelve month Certificate of Deposit. For mid-term...”
Their expected hour at the bank ended up taking nearly six hours. Still by the time Sara and Penny walked out not only were their brains turning to mush from all the information Mr. Davidson had given them but they had made their decisions. With the majority of their money now in long term investments and knowing exactly how much the banks investment firm would be charging them annually they were secure that when it came time to retire they would have enough money to live comfortably on. Plus the bank had wired the money they wanted to Stonehome Savings so it would be available when they returned. Neither Sara nor Penny had thought about wiring funds from bank to bank. Now though, with their current plans completed it was time to visit Penny’s sister Candy and Sara felt butterflies in her stomach at the thought of that meeting.
“Can’t we just wait until tomorrow” she asked her wife.
Penny laughed, “Frightened?” she asked.
“Absolutely” Sara admitted. “Why absolutely terrified.”
“Good” the librarian decided. “Then this is the perfect time to go.”
Sara looked away, then down at her missing hand. “All right, if you think so.” she agreed.