Day 2 - Morning - A chat with Albert

[Preston A. Lodge III]

(Preston noticed Myra’s glance towards Mr. Gormley and with a low grin he looked in her direction. Mr. Gormley quickly turned his back and lowered his head further down and began looking at some papers. Preston turned his head back to Myra)

Preston: A year you say. I surly hope your stay won’t affect your former husband’s attitude. I heard he tried to commit suicide at one point.



(Myra looked shocked at Preston, but before she could answer him, he came with another comment)

Preston: This friend of your daughters - Oliver. This wouldn’t by any chance be Oliver O'Neill? A young employee of mine, he has been working for me since the age of six and continues to surprise me. I see a huge future in him.

(Myra’s expression seemed less shocked, but still enough for Preston to carry on, so that his words, that apparently were improper, would go by without further discussion)

Preston: Now, enough small-talk - Your reason for seeing me?

[Myra]

She grinned, upset that he bring this details after all the years which also wasn't of Preston business. She wasn't sure yet if it was a good idea to come to the bank this morning, but she didn't wanted to stay in home with nothing to do. The idea of returning to St-Louis right now wasn't her priority to - she remember how her grant aunt insisted every days after days about her to find a good husband to marry because she repeated that it wasn't proper for her to stay single with Samantha.

Myra: Well, I was wondering if you may need some of my services here at the bank, partial or full time. My schedule isn't overload at this time and you already know my skills, with more experiences since the time.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

(Preston was amused by Myra’s statement, but also a bit annoyed. He remembered quite well, her short time employed, seven years ago. He did not like the fact that she just took a break and never returned. Months after her departure from town, he received a telegram from her, asking him to confirm her employment at his bank, which he provided)

Preston: With only one year assurance of settlement in town, I’m afraid that it’s highly meaningless of me to be re-employing you.

(Myra looked disappointed at Preston)

Preston: You must understand I can’t have employers coming and leaving just as they please or employments for short period of time - that’s not healthy for any business. If you had decided permanently to settle in Colorado Springs, I might have been willing to offer something.



(A brief moment of silence occurred between Myra and Preston. Myra was unable to speak, while Preston thought about the circumstances. Just as she was about to leave, Preston suddenly reacted)

Preston: Perhaps I spoke too quickly! I may be in need of some help around the bank...

(He looked directly at Mr. Gormley, who nervously glanced discretely at Preston. He then quickly moved his head back to Myra with wide opened eyes like he had just struck a gold mine)

Preston: I’m not going to lie to you. Unexpected circumstances have occurred, therefore in this period of time, I am in need of some extra help, seeing as I won’t be able to work regular. So here’s what I’m prepared to offer …..
A fulltime job for a year, here at the bank. But due to your limited obligation, I’m afraid I’m forced to provide a lesser salary – say, the same salary we agreed to at your first employment.



(Preston’s expression changed to determined and demanding. He was going to stick to his offer and was not about to change it. His expression spoke clearly - it was either take the offer or leave with nothing)

[Malvin Gormley]

(Mr. Gormley looked terrified up from his papers when he heard Preston’s job proposal. He knew that a fulltime job at the bank would interfere with his employment)

[Myra]

Myra try to hide her joy and simply smiled to Preston. She was happy about he could trust her after all this time and appreciate it.

Myra: Well Mr. Lodge, I understand, that would be fine.

She moved her hand toward the banker for shake his own.

Myra: So, when I start?

[Preston A. Lodge III]

(He shook Myra’s hand gracefully with a pound attitude)

Preston: Ah, please it’s still Preston. I’ll like to see you same time tomorrow, 10 o’clock, when the bank opens.

(Mr. Gormley became more and more unsteady behind his counter. He shivered to the fact of Myra taking over his job. He had been a hardworking and trusted employee for so many years and now he was getting replaced by a woman. Well at least for a year he thought, but that was a very long time, when considering the payment)

Preston: Now, let’s take a look at your new employment papers.

(He pulled some papers out from under his drawer and began filling them out, while trying to think about something unimportant, to not make Myra wait in silence)

Preston: I assume you won’t require the back room for Samantha again?

(He gave a short, low laugh while finishing up what had to be included in the employment papers)

Preston: There, now all there needs is your signature at the bottom.

(He handed the papers with a pen to Myra with a smile)

Preston: Please take your time to read threw the papers to see if everything is in order, before signing.



(While Myra took the papers, Preston began looking after a spare key for the bank, to give Myra)

[Myra]

Myra read the papers quickly, in despite of what soem peopel could said about Presotnin town, as a boss, he always play faithful with his employees.

Myra: Well, everything is fine for me. It will be a pleasure to work for you again Mr. Lodge.

She smiled while signing the papers.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston: The pleasure is on my side, and now that you are to be working for me again, I insist that you call me Preston.

(He gave Myra his largest smile and then glanced down on the signed paper)

Preston: You do realize, now that I have your signature that you are bond to maintain in Colorado Springs for an entire year. That means, no time off, no running off to see some sister.



(Myra gave a nervous smile while Preston handed her some keys to the bank)

Preston: Here are your keys, and things don’t change that much around here. Our hours are as they were, 10:00 to 3:00, and lunch at noon – closed Sundays. I’ll see you tomorrow at 10.

[Myra]

Myra: Thank you. I'll be there.

She smiled to herself - not that it was annoying in Colorado Springs, but now she will have something to do while Samantha would be at the school.

While walking back toward the door, she looked at Gormley.

Myra: Have a nice day.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

(Mr. Gormley just nodded while Preston’s eyes followed Myra as she departed the bank. Mr. Gormley found himself eager to speak about the situation, but was nervous how to express himself without getting Mr. Lodge upset)

Malvin: Mr. Lodge sir?

Preston: Something important you wish to discuss with me Mr. Gormley?

Malvin: Well, yes for a matter of fact there is…and that’s…

(Malvin became very nervous – he should never have started a discussion. Preston found some important papers that he had put aside on his desk and was now studying them intense and forgot all about Malvin)



Malvin: Sir?

Preston: What!!? What is it? If you have something to say, then don’t hesitate to come forth.

(Preston continued to look at his papers, not at all interested in what Mr. Gormley had to say)

Malvin: Well sir, I was just wondering, now that this lady will start working at the bank, that ...w-well it’s just.... what will happen to my job?

(Preston looked up at Malvin and realized he had made the situation a bit confusing, but was ready to explain how the new circumstances would be worked out)

Preston: I’m glad you pointed it out. As you’ve heard, Myra will start work tomorrow, now having a fulltime job at the bank for a year, that means I won’t be needing your assistance here, only to fill-in when Myra is ill and…

Malvin: But?

Preston: And so, that means your schedule will be fulltime at the Chateau. That reminds me. The change I made earlier today regarding your employment schedule, I’ll need that back, seeing as the situation has changed.

(Preston stood up and put out his arm, demanding the paper from Malvin who wasn’t thrilled to give it back)

Preston: Mr. Gormley I will need that paper now. Would you please hand it over?

(With hesitation, Malvin handed the paper over to Preston, who took it quickly and began ripping it into small pieces and afterwards threw it in a small dumpster nearby)

Preston: You’ll have your new employment papers for this year some time later today.

Malvin: Thank you sir, but by all means, wasn’t it a rather rash decision you made by employing this lady? I’ve always provided the highest service for this bank and if I may say so sir, wouldn’t it be better having someone reliable manage this position?



(Preston was shocked by Gormley’s feelings on the subject and made an angry expression towards the bank clerk)

Preston: It is not for you to have a concern for what will be suitable for this banks administration. What goes for Myra….

(He took a deep breath while quickly trying to figure something to put an end to this)

Preston: She has been able to pull in more prosper to this bank, under her first employment, than you have these past six years.

(An elder woman came into the bank, not aware of the heated discussion and went directly over to Mr. Gormley, and began to pull her purse out)

Preston: Now, I’ll have no further discussion in this matter, so I suggest you deal with your costumer and if you’ll have me excused, I have an errand to run.

(Preston turned his back at Gormley and departed the bank)

**Continues at the Train Station: Click Here**