Sorry for the delay- without further ado, I bring you Imbroglio, Chapter 10.
Chapter 10
"Have these things always itched this bad?" Jacob whispered resisting the urge to
pull on his collar as they walked through the front door.
"You'd prefer a tunic?" Jack whispered back, clearly shocked that the former Air
Force General would prefer Tok'ra clothing to Earth attire.
"Hell yes! Much more comfortable."
"We're definitely going to have words later Jacob." Jack said quietly as he pulled off
his aviator glasses and smiled broadly at the young bank clerk. "But for the
moment, just follow my lead."
"G..good Morning." The impressionable young bank clerk said staring at the two
officers. Working in Colorado Springs, she was used to seeing military personnel
coming and going, but seldom saw officers in full military regalia. The pair standing
before her was truly impressive with their colorful array of metals and ribbons pinned
to their perfectly pressed uniforms.
"Good Morning Mary." Jack said amicably as he looked down at the nameplate by
her terminal. "Is there a manager around we might talk to?"
"Of course." Mary said relieved that they had asked a question she could answer.
"If you would just have a seat behind you, I'll let him know you're here."
"Thanks." Jack said taking off his hat and tucking it under his arm. He turned back
towards Jacob and gave him a triumphant grin.
"Ooo, you intimidated a 23 year old, way to be imposing Jack." Jacob whispered as
he and Jack sat down to wait for the manager.
"Part of the plan Jacob." Jack said smugly straightening his jacket. Jacob just rolled
his eyes.
A door in the far corner of the bank opened, and a dapper older man who couldn't
have fit the stereotypical image of a bank manager better if he tried, smiled tightly
at the two men as he quickly walked towards them. Both Jack and Jacob rose as the
distinguished banker stopped before them.
"Good day gentlemen." The manager said offering first Jacob and then Jack his
hand. "My name is Earnest Meriwether and I am the manager of this bank. I
understand you wished to speak with me?"
"We do Sir, if it isn't too much trouble." Jack said politely. Jacob was rather proud
of himself for not groaning aloud at Jack's obsequiousness. Although Jack tended to
piss people off, he also had this ineffable charisma that made Jacob very glad his
daughter was directly in O'Neill's chain of command. Selmak scoffed.
//You believe O'Neill would 'charm the pants off' your daughter?//
//He sure as hell better not!// Jacob replied hotly.
//Because Colonel O'Neill is her commanding officer?// Selmak queried.
//Well, for starters.//
//Colonel O'Neill was a married man for several years Jacob.//
//I know that.// Jacob replied testily.
//And do you doubt the love and affection he felt for his wife and son? Do you
believe he 'fooled around' on them?//
//Of course not!//
//Then why do you question his intentions towards your daughter?//
At times like this Jacob sincerely regretted being blended. He just wasn't able to
have a fleeting thought anymore! Now, no matter how ridiculous the notion, Selmak
was right there to argue with him.
//I'm just saying that Jack is smooth, ok? Isn't he recently divorced or something?
I'm just saying that if Jack O'Neill ever DOES have time to seek a social life outside
of the SGC, the women better watch out.//
//You humans are very strange.// Selmak replied before becoming silent once again.
"Colonel O'Neill." Mr. Meriwether said nodding in acknowledgement.
"And this is General Jacob Carter." Jack said kicking Jacob serendipitously in the
shin. Instantly Jacob became aware that he had missed introductions and gave the
bank manager a slight tilt of his head. Mentally, he chastised Selmak for distracting
him.
"Jacob?" Jack hissed elbowing the older man lightly in the ribs. "Stop talking to
yourself and stay with me here, ok?"
"Sorry." Jacob muttered under his breath. He followed Jack as they were led to into
a back office and asked to sit down.
"Now how can I help you two gentlemen?" Mr. Meriwether said taking a seat behind
the large mahogany desk that held his bronzed nameplate.
"We'd like to withdrawal some money." Jack said. Mr. Meriwether frowned slightly.
"A simple withdrawal does not require my assistance." The banker replied after a
moment's hesitation.
"It isn't exactly 'simple' I'm afraid Sir." Jack said apologetically as he took out
several pieces of paper and an ID card from his jacket pocket. "This is my 2IC,
Major Samantha Carter."
"Dr.Carter?" Mr. Meriwether said in a surprised voice as he picked up the ID.
"You know Sam?" Jacob asked.
"Dr. Carter has been banking here for over three years now, of course I know her."
The banker said matter-of-factly. Jack held his tongue and resisted asking
Meriwether if he recognized Jack as well. After all, he had been banking there for
over 7 years!
"Is Dr. Carter all right?" Mr. Meriwether asked sounding a little concerned.
"I won't lie to you Sir. Major Carter was involved in a work-related accident and had
to undergo emergency surgery." Jack said trying not to think about the role he
played in her condition.
"Which is why we're here." Jacob added.
"I don't understand." Mr. Meriwether said eyeing the sober-looking men.
"We need to withdrawal some money from Major Carter's account." Earnest
Meriwether frowned slightly as he absorbed what Jack was saying.
"You would like to withdrawal money from Dr. Carter's account?"
"Yes." Jack said with an emphatic nod. "It's to buy a house." Jack added.
"Do you have permission to do so?" The banker asked blinking rapidly behind his
stylish Armani frames.
"I have here a letter from Carter's doctor stating she has indeed undergone brain
surgery, and a letter from General Hammond, our base CO…" Earnest held up a hand
to stop Jack from continuing any further.
"Do you have a document from Dr. Carter giving you permission to withdrawal
money from her account?"
"Uh.." Jack began fumbling with the paperwork. "Jake, help me out here." He said
turning towards Jacob Carter.
"Mr. Meriwether," Jacob began. "My surname of Carter, and it's not just a
coincidence; Samantha Carter is my daughter." Now it was Jack's turn to blink. He
didn't think he had ever heard Jacob call Carter anything but 'Sam' or 'Kiddo'.
"You are General Carter?" Earnest said once again with a small frown.
"Correct."
"But aren't you dead?" Earnest asked bluntly.
"Now would be a good time to quote Shakespeare Jacob." Jack said cheekily.
"Rumors of my death and all that." Jacob ignored him.
"About 6 months ago I was missing in action and presumed dead." Jacob began in
explanation.
"Presumed." Jack stressed.
Jacob shot Jack a warning look. "The Air Force got a hold of my will and what
remained of my estate was divided amongst my children. Sam got most of my
money."
"And your house." The banker added offhandedly. "If I remember correctly, your
home in Maryland sold a few weeks after you were declared dead." The banker
paused as he remembered more details. "In fact, I thought it was strange at the
time that Dr. Carter wasn't more upset at your passing."
"Carter always knew her dad would be back." Jack said in explanation. "It would
take more than a letter from some faceless bureaucrat to convince Sam that her dad
was dead.
"Right." Jacob said clearly not too happy with this line of conversation. The less he
recalled the months and weeks leading up to his blending the better; Jacob Carter
had been preparing for death and he was very, very thankful his daughter just
happened to be one kick-ass galactic explorer.
"So you believe me when I say I'm Sam's dad?" Jacob asked.
"I have no reason not to." The banker said wryly. "Hold on, let me get her card."
With that the banker stood up and swiftly walked out of the room.
"Where's he going?" Jack asked.
"No idea." Jacob answered.
The banker quickly returned with a long rectangular box packed tightly with small
index cards. "Callahan, Carlyle..Carter. Here we go, Doctor Samantha Carter."
"What's that?" Jack asked pointing to the small card hidden behind the banker's
hand.
"This is Dr. Carter's privacy card."
'Privacy Card?' Jack mouthed to Jacob. Jacob just shrugged.
"For simple bank accounts, we ask just for a simple password, usually a mother's
maiden name. But with each subsequent account, we try to gather additional
information. Dr. Carter has a checking and savings account with us, as well as
several Certificates of Deposit and a safety deposit box."
"Wonder what's in the box." Jack murmured. Again Jacob ignored him.
"So Sam's given you some personal information." Jacob said catching on.
"Yes."
"Lay it on us." Jack said eagerly leaning back in his chair. After spending a little
over three years with Samantha Carter, Jack was certain he'd know most of the
answers. Well maybe not most, but he'd surely know some…
"The questions are for General Carter." Earnest said pointedly.
"Sorry." Jack muttered holding up his hands as he leaned back.
"Mother's maiden name." Earnest said reading the top question on his card.
"Jensen." Jacob said with a small smile. Enough time had passed so that now when
he remembered his wife, it was with nostalgia and love rather than guilt. Jacob was
fairly certain Selmak had a hand in that.
"First love."
"You have GOT to be kidding me!" Jack said incredulously.
"Dr. Carter chose these questions."
"Somehow I don't think she meant Toby Samuels in the 2nd grade, so I'm going to go
with a Harley XR750."
"Year?" Earnest prompted.
"Ah man… I don't know. It was either a '68 or '69."
"I'll except that." Earnest conceded. Jack was suitably impressed. Jake had
remembered a 30+ year bike?!
"Pet's name?" The banker asked as he continued to read off the little card.
"Sam has a pet?" Jack asked clearly stunned that Sam would keep a pet. It wasn't
as if she had a 9-5 job or anything…
"Had." Jack corrected.
"Did he…she die?" Jacob asked hoping it wasn't of starvation or something.
"Uh no-ooo." Jack said cocking his head slightly to one side. "Carter gave the cat to
a friend before he went on a trip. A really, really long trip." Jacob's eyebrows
arched upwards in understanding.
"Well, knowing Sam, the…cat you said?" Jack nodded. "The cat would most
definitely have to be named after a scientist. So it would be Einstein or Schrödinger
or something." Jack grinned.
"Correct." Earnest said with a nod. "Father's Rank."
"Ooo, a hard one Jake!" Jack said sarcastically.
"Here, let me check my ID," Jacob said reaching for his wallet. "I'm a United States
Air Force General (Ret.) sir, could you please cut the crap and just let me know if we
can withdrawal the money or not!"
"You cannot." Earnest said with a small sigh.
"Why the hell not?" Jacob said angrily. "Do you doubt that I'm Sam's father?"
"Jacob.." Jack said laying his hand lightly on the Tok'ra's shoulder. Jack was afraid
that at any moment Jacob might do the glowy Tok'ra eye trick and scare the hell out
of the dignified little banker.
"I believe you are Dr. Carter's father sir, but I am sorry to say that I cannot release
any of her funds to you."
"Even though some of that money was mine."
"Yes."
"Great plan Jack." Jacob said with a heavy sigh as he shook his head in defeat.
"Hold on, hold on." Jack said not ready to admit defeat. "Mr. Meriwether, what
would happen if Major Carter had been seriously injured and needed that money?"
"Her designated contact could gain access…"
"Great!" Jack said interrupting the banker. "Who is it?"
"I really can't divulge that information sir." Earnest replied stiffly.
"Look, it's either Mark her brother, Doc Fraiser or Daniel and…"
"Daniel who?" Earnest asked.
"Dr. Daniel Jackson." Jack answered trying hard not to grin. If it did turn out to be
Danny, they'd be home free!
"It is indeed Dr. Jackson."
"Well just hold on 30 minutes or so and I'll get Danny.." Jack began as he reached
into his jacket pocket for his cell phone. Suddenly he froze. Daniel was still in
recovery. There was just no way Jack would risk Daniel's health like he had Sam's;
Daniel needed to stay put. "Would a faxed request work for you?" He asked
hopefully.
"Colonel O'Neill if you would let me finish," Earnest began. "Although Dr. Jackson is
indeed her emergency contact, he would only be allowed to withdrawal money after
it was determined that the funds would be used in her best interests."
"But that's what we're telling you!" Jack said in frustration.
"Please Colonel O'Neill!" Earnest said raising his voice for the first time. "It would
take either a court order or a doctor's signature.." Jack began to open his mouth to
let the banker know that they had indeed a doctor's signature. "A doctor's signature
AND a signed legal affidavit before the money would be released. These things take
time."
"But we don't HAVE time." Jack growled; he had clearly reached the end of his
patience.
"I am sorry." Earnest said sincerely. He didn't doubt the veracity of the pair before
him but when it came to banking, he always followed the rules. And the rules in this
case were perfectly clear. Before he could say anything more Jack abruptly stood
up.
"General, we should be going." Jack said formally as he straightened his jacket and
put on his sunglasses. "Thank you for your time Mr. Meriwether." He said offering
the befuddled banker his hand. Earnest was indeed confused. One minute the
Colonel was yelling at him, and now he was being polite?
Jacob stood alongside Jack and also shook the bankers hand. He never really
thought Jack's plan would work in the first place, but he was still disappointed.
Silently he followed Jack back outside. Jack had just finished unlocking the doors
when he snapped his fingers. "Damn! Forgot my hat Jacob. I'll be right back."
Leaving the Tok'ra/General (Ret.) in his truck, Jack headed back into the bank.
"Mr. Meriwether!" Jack yelled before the banker could disappear behind the bank's
backroom doors.
"Yes?" Earnest said as he turned around to face the disheveled Colonel. Just
moments ago, the man had looked pristine, and now he was madly pawing at his
pockets!
"I'd like to withdrawal $4,500 from my personal account please." Jack said pulling
out an already filled in withdrawal slip. "And can you make it a cashier's check made
out to 'Eagle Real Estate'?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Big Stupid Grin* Did you see that coming? Heh heh- God, I love writing!
I will make no promises about when I will post the next chapter, but I will do my
sincere best to finish this before school starts again at the end of the month.
Chapter 10
"Have these things always itched this bad?" Jacob whispered resisting the urge to
pull on his collar as they walked through the front door.
"You'd prefer a tunic?" Jack whispered back, clearly shocked that the former Air
Force General would prefer Tok'ra clothing to Earth attire.
"Hell yes! Much more comfortable."
"We're definitely going to have words later Jacob." Jack said quietly as he pulled off
his aviator glasses and smiled broadly at the young bank clerk. "But for the
moment, just follow my lead."
"G..good Morning." The impressionable young bank clerk said staring at the two
officers. Working in Colorado Springs, she was used to seeing military personnel
coming and going, but seldom saw officers in full military regalia. The pair standing
before her was truly impressive with their colorful array of metals and ribbons pinned
to their perfectly pressed uniforms.
"Good Morning Mary." Jack said amicably as he looked down at the nameplate by
her terminal. "Is there a manager around we might talk to?"
"Of course." Mary said relieved that they had asked a question she could answer.
"If you would just have a seat behind you, I'll let him know you're here."
"Thanks." Jack said taking off his hat and tucking it under his arm. He turned back
towards Jacob and gave him a triumphant grin.
"Ooo, you intimidated a 23 year old, way to be imposing Jack." Jacob whispered as
he and Jack sat down to wait for the manager.
"Part of the plan Jacob." Jack said smugly straightening his jacket. Jacob just rolled
his eyes.
A door in the far corner of the bank opened, and a dapper older man who couldn't
have fit the stereotypical image of a bank manager better if he tried, smiled tightly
at the two men as he quickly walked towards them. Both Jack and Jacob rose as the
distinguished banker stopped before them.
"Good day gentlemen." The manager said offering first Jacob and then Jack his
hand. "My name is Earnest Meriwether and I am the manager of this bank. I
understand you wished to speak with me?"
"We do Sir, if it isn't too much trouble." Jack said politely. Jacob was rather proud
of himself for not groaning aloud at Jack's obsequiousness. Although Jack tended to
piss people off, he also had this ineffable charisma that made Jacob very glad his
daughter was directly in O'Neill's chain of command. Selmak scoffed.
//You believe O'Neill would 'charm the pants off' your daughter?//
//He sure as hell better not!// Jacob replied hotly.
//Because Colonel O'Neill is her commanding officer?// Selmak queried.
//Well, for starters.//
//Colonel O'Neill was a married man for several years Jacob.//
//I know that.// Jacob replied testily.
//And do you doubt the love and affection he felt for his wife and son? Do you
believe he 'fooled around' on them?//
//Of course not!//
//Then why do you question his intentions towards your daughter?//
At times like this Jacob sincerely regretted being blended. He just wasn't able to
have a fleeting thought anymore! Now, no matter how ridiculous the notion, Selmak
was right there to argue with him.
//I'm just saying that Jack is smooth, ok? Isn't he recently divorced or something?
I'm just saying that if Jack O'Neill ever DOES have time to seek a social life outside
of the SGC, the women better watch out.//
//You humans are very strange.// Selmak replied before becoming silent once again.
"Colonel O'Neill." Mr. Meriwether said nodding in acknowledgement.
"And this is General Jacob Carter." Jack said kicking Jacob serendipitously in the
shin. Instantly Jacob became aware that he had missed introductions and gave the
bank manager a slight tilt of his head. Mentally, he chastised Selmak for distracting
him.
"Jacob?" Jack hissed elbowing the older man lightly in the ribs. "Stop talking to
yourself and stay with me here, ok?"
"Sorry." Jacob muttered under his breath. He followed Jack as they were led to into
a back office and asked to sit down.
"Now how can I help you two gentlemen?" Mr. Meriwether said taking a seat behind
the large mahogany desk that held his bronzed nameplate.
"We'd like to withdrawal some money." Jack said. Mr. Meriwether frowned slightly.
"A simple withdrawal does not require my assistance." The banker replied after a
moment's hesitation.
"It isn't exactly 'simple' I'm afraid Sir." Jack said apologetically as he took out
several pieces of paper and an ID card from his jacket pocket. "This is my 2IC,
Major Samantha Carter."
"Dr.Carter?" Mr. Meriwether said in a surprised voice as he picked up the ID.
"You know Sam?" Jacob asked.
"Dr. Carter has been banking here for over three years now, of course I know her."
The banker said matter-of-factly. Jack held his tongue and resisted asking
Meriwether if he recognized Jack as well. After all, he had been banking there for
over 7 years!
"Is Dr. Carter all right?" Mr. Meriwether asked sounding a little concerned.
"I won't lie to you Sir. Major Carter was involved in a work-related accident and had
to undergo emergency surgery." Jack said trying not to think about the role he
played in her condition.
"Which is why we're here." Jacob added.
"I don't understand." Mr. Meriwether said eyeing the sober-looking men.
"We need to withdrawal some money from Major Carter's account." Earnest
Meriwether frowned slightly as he absorbed what Jack was saying.
"You would like to withdrawal money from Dr. Carter's account?"
"Yes." Jack said with an emphatic nod. "It's to buy a house." Jack added.
"Do you have permission to do so?" The banker asked blinking rapidly behind his
stylish Armani frames.
"I have here a letter from Carter's doctor stating she has indeed undergone brain
surgery, and a letter from General Hammond, our base CO…" Earnest held up a hand
to stop Jack from continuing any further.
"Do you have a document from Dr. Carter giving you permission to withdrawal
money from her account?"
"Uh.." Jack began fumbling with the paperwork. "Jake, help me out here." He said
turning towards Jacob Carter.
"Mr. Meriwether," Jacob began. "My surname of Carter, and it's not just a
coincidence; Samantha Carter is my daughter." Now it was Jack's turn to blink. He
didn't think he had ever heard Jacob call Carter anything but 'Sam' or 'Kiddo'.
"You are General Carter?" Earnest said once again with a small frown.
"Correct."
"But aren't you dead?" Earnest asked bluntly.
"Now would be a good time to quote Shakespeare Jacob." Jack said cheekily.
"Rumors of my death and all that." Jacob ignored him.
"About 6 months ago I was missing in action and presumed dead." Jacob began in
explanation.
"Presumed." Jack stressed.
Jacob shot Jack a warning look. "The Air Force got a hold of my will and what
remained of my estate was divided amongst my children. Sam got most of my
money."
"And your house." The banker added offhandedly. "If I remember correctly, your
home in Maryland sold a few weeks after you were declared dead." The banker
paused as he remembered more details. "In fact, I thought it was strange at the
time that Dr. Carter wasn't more upset at your passing."
"Carter always knew her dad would be back." Jack said in explanation. "It would
take more than a letter from some faceless bureaucrat to convince Sam that her dad
was dead.
"Right." Jacob said clearly not too happy with this line of conversation. The less he
recalled the months and weeks leading up to his blending the better; Jacob Carter
had been preparing for death and he was very, very thankful his daughter just
happened to be one kick-ass galactic explorer.
"So you believe me when I say I'm Sam's dad?" Jacob asked.
"I have no reason not to." The banker said wryly. "Hold on, let me get her card."
With that the banker stood up and swiftly walked out of the room.
"Where's he going?" Jack asked.
"No idea." Jacob answered.
The banker quickly returned with a long rectangular box packed tightly with small
index cards. "Callahan, Carlyle..Carter. Here we go, Doctor Samantha Carter."
"What's that?" Jack asked pointing to the small card hidden behind the banker's
hand.
"This is Dr. Carter's privacy card."
'Privacy Card?' Jack mouthed to Jacob. Jacob just shrugged.
"For simple bank accounts, we ask just for a simple password, usually a mother's
maiden name. But with each subsequent account, we try to gather additional
information. Dr. Carter has a checking and savings account with us, as well as
several Certificates of Deposit and a safety deposit box."
"Wonder what's in the box." Jack murmured. Again Jacob ignored him.
"So Sam's given you some personal information." Jacob said catching on.
"Yes."
"Lay it on us." Jack said eagerly leaning back in his chair. After spending a little
over three years with Samantha Carter, Jack was certain he'd know most of the
answers. Well maybe not most, but he'd surely know some…
"The questions are for General Carter." Earnest said pointedly.
"Sorry." Jack muttered holding up his hands as he leaned back.
"Mother's maiden name." Earnest said reading the top question on his card.
"Jensen." Jacob said with a small smile. Enough time had passed so that now when
he remembered his wife, it was with nostalgia and love rather than guilt. Jacob was
fairly certain Selmak had a hand in that.
"First love."
"You have GOT to be kidding me!" Jack said incredulously.
"Dr. Carter chose these questions."
"Somehow I don't think she meant Toby Samuels in the 2nd grade, so I'm going to go
with a Harley XR750."
"Year?" Earnest prompted.
"Ah man… I don't know. It was either a '68 or '69."
"I'll except that." Earnest conceded. Jack was suitably impressed. Jake had
remembered a 30+ year bike?!
"Pet's name?" The banker asked as he continued to read off the little card.
"Sam has a pet?" Jack asked clearly stunned that Sam would keep a pet. It wasn't
as if she had a 9-5 job or anything…
"Had." Jack corrected.
"Did he…she die?" Jacob asked hoping it wasn't of starvation or something.
"Uh no-ooo." Jack said cocking his head slightly to one side. "Carter gave the cat to
a friend before he went on a trip. A really, really long trip." Jacob's eyebrows
arched upwards in understanding.
"Well, knowing Sam, the…cat you said?" Jack nodded. "The cat would most
definitely have to be named after a scientist. So it would be Einstein or Schrödinger
or something." Jack grinned.
"Correct." Earnest said with a nod. "Father's Rank."
"Ooo, a hard one Jake!" Jack said sarcastically.
"Here, let me check my ID," Jacob said reaching for his wallet. "I'm a United States
Air Force General (Ret.) sir, could you please cut the crap and just let me know if we
can withdrawal the money or not!"
"You cannot." Earnest said with a small sigh.
"Why the hell not?" Jacob said angrily. "Do you doubt that I'm Sam's father?"
"Jacob.." Jack said laying his hand lightly on the Tok'ra's shoulder. Jack was afraid
that at any moment Jacob might do the glowy Tok'ra eye trick and scare the hell out
of the dignified little banker.
"I believe you are Dr. Carter's father sir, but I am sorry to say that I cannot release
any of her funds to you."
"Even though some of that money was mine."
"Yes."
"Great plan Jack." Jacob said with a heavy sigh as he shook his head in defeat.
"Hold on, hold on." Jack said not ready to admit defeat. "Mr. Meriwether, what
would happen if Major Carter had been seriously injured and needed that money?"
"Her designated contact could gain access…"
"Great!" Jack said interrupting the banker. "Who is it?"
"I really can't divulge that information sir." Earnest replied stiffly.
"Look, it's either Mark her brother, Doc Fraiser or Daniel and…"
"Daniel who?" Earnest asked.
"Dr. Daniel Jackson." Jack answered trying hard not to grin. If it did turn out to be
Danny, they'd be home free!
"It is indeed Dr. Jackson."
"Well just hold on 30 minutes or so and I'll get Danny.." Jack began as he reached
into his jacket pocket for his cell phone. Suddenly he froze. Daniel was still in
recovery. There was just no way Jack would risk Daniel's health like he had Sam's;
Daniel needed to stay put. "Would a faxed request work for you?" He asked
hopefully.
"Colonel O'Neill if you would let me finish," Earnest began. "Although Dr. Jackson is
indeed her emergency contact, he would only be allowed to withdrawal money after
it was determined that the funds would be used in her best interests."
"But that's what we're telling you!" Jack said in frustration.
"Please Colonel O'Neill!" Earnest said raising his voice for the first time. "It would
take either a court order or a doctor's signature.." Jack began to open his mouth to
let the banker know that they had indeed a doctor's signature. "A doctor's signature
AND a signed legal affidavit before the money would be released. These things take
time."
"But we don't HAVE time." Jack growled; he had clearly reached the end of his
patience.
"I am sorry." Earnest said sincerely. He didn't doubt the veracity of the pair before
him but when it came to banking, he always followed the rules. And the rules in this
case were perfectly clear. Before he could say anything more Jack abruptly stood
up.
"General, we should be going." Jack said formally as he straightened his jacket and
put on his sunglasses. "Thank you for your time Mr. Meriwether." He said offering
the befuddled banker his hand. Earnest was indeed confused. One minute the
Colonel was yelling at him, and now he was being polite?
Jacob stood alongside Jack and also shook the bankers hand. He never really
thought Jack's plan would work in the first place, but he was still disappointed.
Silently he followed Jack back outside. Jack had just finished unlocking the doors
when he snapped his fingers. "Damn! Forgot my hat Jacob. I'll be right back."
Leaving the Tok'ra/General (Ret.) in his truck, Jack headed back into the bank.
"Mr. Meriwether!" Jack yelled before the banker could disappear behind the bank's
backroom doors.
"Yes?" Earnest said as he turned around to face the disheveled Colonel. Just
moments ago, the man had looked pristine, and now he was madly pawing at his
pockets!
"I'd like to withdrawal $4,500 from my personal account please." Jack said pulling
out an already filled in withdrawal slip. "And can you make it a cashier's check made
out to 'Eagle Real Estate'?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Big Stupid Grin* Did you see that coming? Heh heh- God, I love writing!
I will make no promises about when I will post the next chapter, but I will do my
sincere best to finish this before school starts again at the end of the month.