The largest bank was located not only Oanid, but in the Capital of New Oania, where the Peace Corps headquarters was located. Many powerful people would visit this exact bank during their visits to the headquarters. It only made sense that this one was made especially spectacular. Three stories tall its roof and emblem could be seen from anywhere inside of New Oania. The tellers were dressed in a dull blue-grey uniform. The women in pencil skirts and unbuttoned jackets. Underneath they wore different floral patterned blouses. The men wore dapper suits with coat tails and different colored striped bow ties under their chins.
Frides walked into the bank. There were farmers and merchants in the same room with nobles and upperclassmen people. The distinction was obvious due to the quality of their clothes. The roughness of their hands and they're overall fitness. Contrasted by the clean clothes and unblemished skin of those who have never really toiled or clawed. The grandiose nature of the bank made the laborers stand out even more. Even more so was the separation of the two classes. The laborers and less wealthy merchants were sent to the long line that had to have no less than fifty people in it. The wealthy were escorted up a staircase to the second floor. Some Peace Corps members were stationed below the stairs and in the corners of the bank.
A male teller walked past Frides. "Excuse me."
The man continued through the entrance. A farmer in the line laughed. "Good luck. You look like you haven't had a warm bath in two or three days."
"I have somewhere to be and that's not how banks work. We all have money." Frides said annoyed.
The man looked at Frides confused. "The Peace Corps is funded through the Oceanic Banks. The more money we put in the bank, the more we're able to support the Peace Corps. Those who don't know how to fight support the peace through the Cardis they put in the banks. Those who supply the banks with more money deserve preferential treatment."
"That's ridiculous."
"No its not! The Peace Corps protects people around the world from the strife and chaos caused by wars that have nothing to do with its people. People like me would have died in some foolishly named war. It keeps people from being uprooted and abused by foul rulers. You should know this. Oh. You must be one of those Retainer supporters."
"This seems like the same result with different steps. So many protected classes. The same protected classes that would have never seen a drop of blood. Whisked to the rear with a guard." Frides reached out and grabbed one of the bankers by his suit.
He grabbed onto Frides' arm. "Excuse me. Let me go!"
Frides let him go surprised at himself. "Sorry, excuse me. That jerk must be rubbing off on me." Frides stepped back. "Now that I do have your attention. I demand to speak to the Manager of the bank here in New Oania."
"You can wait in that line behind you, sir."
"I don't want to take part in that line as it is. You can go and get your manager or I can wait in this line and when they realize who I am, you'll regret every second of your little life that lead you to meet me."
The man ran to the bank window and said something to one of the tellers. The teller behind the counter ran to the side and opened the door to the bank managers office. After five minutes another door that looked as if it was connected to the back area of the bank opened and a man laced in a purple suit similar to the tellers stepped out fully composed.
He walked over to Frides. "Sir, It seems you are unaware of how this bank operates. Unless you have received special privileges, then you have no other choice, but to wait in line. I'm sure your threats would work in any other bank but we are backed by the Peace Corps Headquarters itself. Its very members are present if you would just take in your surroundings." The Manager waved his hand towards the different members of the Peace Corps littered around the bank. "Now you can get in that line and wait like a good citizen or leave, peacefully."
"I am requesting that you search my information first. If you search my information and decide you want me to get in line I will do it peacefully, but if not then I want you to invite everyone in that line upstairs and to be treated like preferred account holders."
"Sure, but there is little incentive in it for me. How about eighty percent of your accounts funds will be transferred to my personal account."
"That's fine by me." Frides looks up at the second floor. Past the rails he could see people enjoying glasses of wine. Dressed in fine clothing with bands of gold around their necks and on their fingers.
"Jonis, get his account details and signature. Also prepare a transfer slip." He smirked at Frides, looking him up and down. It was true, they had not had a decent bath since they left Horseshoe Springs. "I'm sure it won't be much, but this will be a lesson you can remember as you struggle with your arrogance. Thinking your sideshow bluff would work in here."
Frides freely gave Jonis the information he requested. When Frides' named the country of the account, Jonis' eyes shot wide open and the Manager took a slight inhale.
"Do you guys have more chairs up there? I'm not sure if everyone here will fit up there. I'm sure that is by design. Never really expected everyone to be in a position to experience it. "Frides looked to the farmer. "I think the wine is free up there."
Jonis looked at Frides with his mouth open. "Hurry up and run it. He has to be lying."
"I lie professionally but not in personal matters. You've already agreed and where I come from contracts are taken very seriously." Frides said grimly making the manager swallow his own tongue.
"Manager." Jonis whispered across the room. The manager slowly turned and shuffled over. Jonis whispered something into his ear and the manager started to sweat profusely. He turned around and Frides was looking him down with victory in his eyes.
The manager looked up to the second floor. He looked at all of the preferred members and could only imagine the trouble he was going to get in. No matter what he thought of he couldn't deny this man at this point. He could call the guards and name this man an assassin, but the business between assassins was highly coveted by the bank. It would alienate the assassins from the bank and get him fired. He would also be hunted down by the same assassins and still be killed. Whether he lost his position or not didn't matter. If he didn't hold up his end, then he could possibly be killed right here and now. He walked over to the line of laborers and merchants.
"Due to the incredibly gracious and truly altruistic spirit of this man, we ask that you all follow Jonis. He will seat you in our second level where you will be helped comfortably." The farmers looked at each other skeptically. The manager started to feel a sense of relief. He didn't even imagine they wouldn't want to go. This worked out perfectly for him. When he looked at Frides, his fears were sparked up again. Frides' scowl said one thing. The Manager continued. "Please everyone. I insist, let us reward you this one day, please."
To the managers relief they started to shuffle over to the stairs and make their way up. After the last one followed Jonis, the manager walked over to Frides. "Now, Frides Le…"
Frides walked past him and into the line. He walked all the way through the lines snake like design to the mouth and waited for a teller to call him to their window.
To Be Continued...
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