Micah Jennings

1.29.05 Saturday [miscommunication]

Today I got a call from the bank. They said that they would be charging me fifteen dollars for “accessing unavailable funds.” I figured it was some miscommunication, but I went in anyways to check it out. Like so many of my recent experiences, this one seemed odd, out of place. Here I was, standing in the bank, waiting to discuss a financial issue. I wasn’t jittery and unsure, looking to see if anyone was suspicious of my large deposit. I felt confident, unworried, knowing that for once I was in the right.

So with an inflated chest I stepped up to the desk, explaining firmly:

“I’m Micah Jennings. I received a call—“
“Yes Mr. Jennings,” the woman abruptly interrupted, “Ms. Lambert will see you in that office over there.” She pointed to a vacant room behind me. So I walked on over, feeling a tinge of nervousness tickling my spine.

“Please sit down,” Ms. Lambert said after we’d introduced ourselves. I sat. “The call you received was in connection with your account, is that correct?”
“Yes,” I said. “I was told that I was going to be charged for going over the limit.”
“Were you aware that you’d done so?”
“Well, actually that’s why I came in. I think you must have some sort of mix-up.”
“Ok, well here’s your account history over the last twelve months.” She handed me a file of blue papers cluttered with type. It took me a minute to decipher it. I saw the deposits, which were correct—a few hundred here, another thousand later on—but the withdrawls were all wrong! It said I was consistently taking out hundreds of dollars each week!
“This can’t be right,” I said. “I’ve only withdrawn a few times!”
“Is it a joint account?” She asked. I thought for a minute.
“Well, several years ago my mother transferred it into my name, but…I’m the only one with access.”
“What’s your mother’s name?” She inquired.
“Lisa Jennings.”

She turned to her computer and began typing. In a few seconds, she asked:
“What kind of account transfer did you say she made?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It was a while back.”
“Hm. Because it looks like she’s still able to access the funds in this account.”
“What?”
“Yes, it is a joint account. Don’t you receive bank statements?”
“No, I never have. My mom takes care of that stuff.”
“Well, you may want to ask her about this then. And if she doesn’t know what’s going on, we might have a real problem.”
“Ok, I will,” I decided, getting up to leave.
“Mr. Jennings?” She called after me. “Would you like to pay the fifteen dollars now?”

I ignored her.

When I got home I called mom, but the warden couldn't patch me in for some ridiculous reason. I guess I'll have to visit her myself.

-M.J.

posted by Mr. Linty @ 1:11 AM