Milton Young Documentaries received approval to send a journalist crew to the Ridge City Bank in Ridge City, Silverton. Six weeks after 9/11, us journalists document a full work week at the crumbling financial centre. This is what happens In Da Bank.
October 29, 2001 • 9:38 AM
Phillip Staunton (General Manager)
Interview by Grace Windsor.
"Money, it makes the world go round." The middle-aged man in oversized clothing and a cheap novelty tie says in front of me. "And that money is dispensed here. So in a way, I keep the world rolling, y'know? Uhh, I've been working here since '98. I single-handedly kept this bank going on Y2K, the dot-com bubble, and what happened last month."
He winces through his teeth as he stares at me for a long while. I sit, not knowing what to do as an awkwardness fills the room. I try to ask another question but he cuts me off before I can even breathe in.
"I am the brains here, general manager. General, that's key word. That means I run this regiment of finance. So... let me show you around."
With that, he stands up, walks to his door, and opens it. I stand and walk out the door with him. Awards given to Philip decorate the office walls along with corporate 'inspirational' quotes. An image of a drowning man reaching for a man on a boat with the words "Cooperation: you never know when you need to be saved" catches my eye. Phillip stops short in front of me as I accidentally walk into him. He quickly turns to me.
"Was that a question?" He asks. I shake my head 'no'. He nods and walks us to the accounting department. He turns to me as we approach two workers.
"We believe in inclusivity here at Ridge City Bank. That's why we've got Rochelle. She's, uh... Native American. She is the head of accounts. If you've made a payment here then she will know about it."
He turns his head to her. "No embezzling, alright?" He snickers and looks at me. Rochelle Little Bird looks at him. "What do you mean by that?" She asks him. He quickly tries to pull himself out of his self-dug hole. "I mean, not because— Not that you would! It's just, you know...Native..." He chuckles nervously, "Just jokes."
He then looks to me, clearly flustered and thinking of what to say. He turns back to her,
"I am a Democrat. So it's... you know. Power to the people. Their people, HER people."
Rochelle and her deskmate, Hunter Gardner, stare at Phillip in disbelief. He stares at me before swiftly turning his head to Rochelle.
"What'd you say?" He asks. No reply. She only stares. "Y'know? I've watched Dances With Wolves... I also love Iron Eyes Cody." He exclaims. Hunter nods in approval as Rochelle shakes her head, "Just... just stop, Phil." "Alright. Back to work" Phillip announces as he claps his hands together. He trudges back to his office, walking right past me. I stand as Rochelle and Hunter sit and stare at me. I turn on my heel back to Phillip's office as his door slams in front of me. I stand and turn back to the bullpen as bank workers go about their day.
10:30 AM
Ridge City Bank Workers talking to clients
Recorded by microphones
"Your life does suck, Mrs. Abrahams, but your credit score sucks even worse"
"Your light bill is now paid for, Jerry. Tell the Mrs I said 'hello'. You're still getting stationed in Afghanistan next Tuesday, right? Yeah, great. Tell her that I will stop in on... let me look at my calendar. Next Wednesday."
"Nothing to worry about. The market is just being a bitch right now... pardon my Latin"
10:52 AM
Phillip Staunton, Zoey McKarton (Mortgage Loan Officer)
Recorded by Grace Windsor
"Zoey Angela McKarton" Phillip starts, looking at me. "One of the hardest workers here at the bank. She has come to ME to help her-" Before he can finish, Zoey cuts him off, "You told me to come here." Phillip stares at her for a moment before speaking and looking at me again. "To help her get ready for an interview with our CEO, Betty Lowery. Uhh, she is hoping to be made Senior Loan Officer of the Silverton Bank Association. Meaning, she is applying to kick your grandma out of her past-due home." He snickers and looks at both me and her. He quickly drops his smile and sits up while looking right at Zoey. "Now, Zoey. It is important to know, or at least, pretend to know any questions she will throw your way. Being unprepared is unacceptable, that woman will have you pinned against the wall with questions while she has her way with you."
Zoey looks at me with a look of disgust, she then looks back at Phillip. "Could you reiterate, sir?" She asks. He throws his hands up, "Poor terminology, I know, but that is how it is going to feel." "I don't think that is how it will feel, Phil," Zoey calmly states, "it will be a professional interview in which I get the job." Phillip smiles, "Oh, confidence." He looks at me, "If there is one thing a woman deserves, it is confidence!" Zoey stares him down, "Or, I just know I am qualified enough to get the job?" Phillip grabs for some files, "Whatever you think." Zoey crosses her arms, "It is what I think. Hold on, did you say 'one thing a woman deserves'?!
11:05 AM
Rochelle Little Bird (Head Accountant), Hunter Gardner (Senior Accountant)
Interview by Henry Scott
Rochelle Little Bird sits across from me, her gray oversized suit jacket loosely hanging off of her. "How long have I been working here? Um, around 5 months. I got my bachelor's in economics and I turned to here. Child's play, basically," she states. I press more by asking what she does exactly. "Accounting, uh, financial reporting, recordkeeping, tax considerations, financial modeling, and... I sell weed behind the building. Side hustle to my side hustle," she giggles. Her deskmate, Hunter speaks up, "You can't sell weed here." "You can't watch porn on the bank's computer," she quickly states as her rebuttal. Nearby workers look at Hunter. His face flushes as he tries to speak, "It's art".
11:35 AM
Betty Lowery (CEO: Northeastern Branches)
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Betty Lowery walks in, and immediately the atmosphere changes. This 5'1 woman holding a Palm Pilot carries more fear than death itself. "Phillip." She simply says as she shakes his hand. They both walk to his office.
11:36 AM
Phillip Staunton
Interview by Grace Windsor
"Funny coincidence, me and Betty both went to high school together in Newburg. People tell me 'Oh Phillip, aren't you afraid of her, she is the big boss' and to that, I say 'No' I remember her pigtails and braces. She was a nerd, loser, outcast, dontcha know?"
I asked him, "What were you?"
He thinks for a minute and responds, "Dreamer."
11:39 AM
Betty Lowery, Phillip Staunton, Zoey McKarton
Recorded by Grace Windsor
"Zoey, I assume you are alright with Phillip and Ms. Windsor being here during the interview?" Betty asks Zoey. "Yeah, I get to show the world and my boss how I nail this, and get the job," Zoey says, self-assured. "Oh, confidence. A woman needs confidence," Betty lets out as she checks her pager. Zoey sits up and points to Betty, "There it is again. It's not confidence, it's intuition." "Or egotism," Phillip chimes in. Betty puts her pager down, "Either way, are we ready?" "Yes," Zoey huffs.
11:40 AM
Workers gathered by a photocopier
Recorded by Sarah Mason
I see employees gathered around a copier and get curious. I approach the group and ask what they were doing.
"The bank requires us to pay 25¢ for each copy we make. Some geriatric decided to throw in nickels instead. Causing the damn thing to stop working!" A worker says loudly. An elderly worker with a white scruffy beard turns around, "Hey, five nickles makes a quarter, dummy. And I'm not old, I'm 46."
The worker slowly turns to me, "Oh my God."
12:04 PM
Rochelle Little Bird, Hunter Gardner, Gerald Scott
Conversation recorded by Henry Scott
Rochelle works on a stack of papers as Hunter reads an 'Archie' comic. "Hunter, remember when I told you to finish balancing before you went home last night?" Her question is net with a quick "No" from Hunter.
"Well, I did. And now we're not only behind on today's entries, but the whole month's financials are off."
"Not a me problem"
Rochelle lets out a groan, "It's not that hard to see if the credit and debit columns match."
Hunter finally takes his eyes off of the comic and looks at Rochelle, "There were too many unaccounted liabilities, and honestly, I wasn't in the mood to go back and forth with corporate about them." Rochelle furrows her eyebrows, "What do you mean 'unaccounted'?" Gerald speaks up from his desk, "Corporate is taking money from our branch to pay back investors." "Ohhh, so they left it unaccounted to not trigger panic?" She asks. "And not to trigger an investigation from the OCC."
"Is this legal?"
"Doesn't matter. We're just accountants."
Rochelle lets out a laugh, "Yeah. Who's going to listen to us?"
"I sure the hell ain't, " Hunter adds.
"Fix the damn columns!" Rochelle throws the paper in front of him, agitated.
12:18 PM
Betty Lowery, Phillip Staunton, Zoey McKarton
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Betty has her notes set up and sends Phillip to fetch her coffee, and the interview begins.
"Alright Zoey, what loans have you primarily worked with?"
"Real Estate."
"What is YOUR approval rating for clients?"
"22. Anything under I recommend them to US Bank."
"Very good. We can't risk throwing around loans, remember Black Monday? How do you balance building relationships with clients while maintaining a strict adherence to lending guidelines?"
"Same way with my friends. Act like I care about them while they are a great asset to me, then throw them to the curb when they are obviously a liability."
"That is the attitude we need for the SBA. Your first impressions are nice."
Phillip walks back into his office, holding two mugs of coffee. He hands one to Betty, Zoey extends her hand to grab for the other one but Phillip begins to drink it. Betty keeps the interview going.
"During stressful times, how do go about dealing with it professionally?"
"I pray and let Jesus take the wheel."
They both laugh in agreement. I look at Phillip, he opens his mouth, and I brace for impact.
"Jesus is my lord and saviour. He turned water to wine and my Tylenol to Xanax."
Silence. Betty, Zoey, and I stare at him. An uncomfortable silence penetrates through the room. Betty slowly looks back to Zoey, "Anyways, as we were."
12:25 PM
Gerald Scott, Hunter Gardner
Overheard conversation in employee breakroom
"Hey, Hunter, did you see the game last night?"
"No, too busy"
"Doing what?"
"Doing your mom"
Hunter laughs and tries to high-five Gerald.
"Are we 40 or 12, Hunter?"
"We are doing your mom!"
Hunter laughs more and walks out of the breakroom.
12:29 PM
Betty Lowery, Zoey McKarton
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Betty and Zoey both exit Phillip's office.
"Well Zoey, do expect a call from us. You are someone who we would like to see on the big floor in Silverton City."
"Thank you for the opportunity, Betty"
Betty goes in for a handshake and Zoey goes in for a high five. Betty then changes her handshake to a high five and Zoey does the opposite. They both go back and forth with this for a minute. Betty stops and walks back into Phillip's office. Phillip walks out and approaches Zoey.
"Thanks to me I think you nailed it!"
She rolls her eyes and walks to her desk.
"PHILLIP!" Betty yells, he turns and motions for me to follow.
12:34 PM
Phillip Staunton, Betty Lowery
Small meeting recorded by Grace Windsor
The two sit in silence for a minute, Phillip opens his mouth and Betty cuts him off.
"Now, Phillip I am sure you're aware of the toll the SBA has taken."
"Investors pulling out en masse? Tragedy hit the markets and ASSQAQ thinks they control everything?"
"Yes, they do, actually. Now it does seem bad."
"Could be worse, we could be Dunbar Armored." He snickers and looks at me, "Write that down!"
"Dunbar Armored also affected us. They were a main stockholder."
"I knew that... I just wanted to check your knowledge of... um, history."
"Yes, well. I can assure you and people watching, we are in harsh waters right now but we will precede before the instability and come out on top."
"Has anyone seen my thesaurus?"
I stifle my laugh, this wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the fact that these people control our finances. The door to Phillip's office opens as a younger, overly dressed man walks in. Phillip springs up to greet him.
"Ohhhh, this guy! Lark Lark Lark! Meadowlark Lemon."
"Ayyy, Staun-ton of fun. Surprised you haven't bombed this place worse than the Taliban."
"Ohhh, here we go. Lots of talk from the Credit Analyst, the lowest rank of the financial system."
Phillip snorts and looks at me and Betty. Lark speaks up, "Credit analysis isn't just a job—it's a lifestyle. I make or break people, Phil. And speaking of breaks, your receptionist looks like she needs one with me."
Betty turns to me and mouths an 'I'm sorry', she turns to face the two men children.
"Phillip, this is a meeting."
Lark looks to Betty, "Sorry, babes, just came to check on the branch I'm about to save with my...what do you call it...oh yeah, brilliance."
"And you are?"
"Lark Benson. Credit analyst, Riverside Bank. Visionary. Some call me 'The Deposit.' I'm the last cowboy in this dying industry."
Betty scoffs, "You're more like the last horse in the glue factory." She fixes her files, "Once you're gone, we bring in a new haul."
Lark breathes in through his teeth, upset, "I see you haven't lost that sense of humor, Betty. That's why I've always liked you."
"We've never met."
"Riverside picnic, remember?"
"You weren't the drunkard who was hitting on me?"
Lark puts his hands up and faces me, "Taking advantage of a situation. When is the next time I will get to see my boss in a bikini?"
"I beg your pardon"
"You didn't say 'no'"
"I did and I will say it again. Phillip, this is a disgusting joker you have walking around your workplace."
Phillip looks away from Betty and to me, "He keeps up morale." She crosses her arms, "Is that so?"
"Oh yeah, people love me here," Lark adds.
A knock is heard at Phillip's door, "COME IN!" Phillip yells. Betty closes her eyes in annoyance. Hunter Gardner walks into the office, "Mr. Staunton, my wages haven't gone through yet."
"Someone needs to sign off on them, yet."
Betty turns her head to Phillip, "That's your job, Phillip."
Before he can say anything, Lark decides to.
"Hunter the plunker. Jesus, look at this guy. Tits for days and he's not even a broad."
Hunter stares at him for a little, "Mr. Staunton, Ms. Lowery, did you both hear this?"
Betty turns to Phillip, "I did hear that, did you?"
All of us look at Phillip as he thinks of what to say, "That was obviously a joke," he mutters. Hunter raises his eyebrow.
"I didn't think it was funny"
"It's just not your taste then."
"I didn't think it was funny, either" Betty cuts in.
Phillip raises his hands, "Alright, it wasn't funny." Betty continues, "What are you going to do about this disrespect to your employees, 'general' manager?"
He remains quiet before turning to Lark, "Lark, get out." Lark scoffs, "Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack, came straight from the top. Go back to Riverside."
"Whatever, you wastes of space. Enjoy this hell hole, I'm out."
Lark storms off, shoulder-checking the doorframe on his way out.
"Probably ruined a good friendship just then," Phillip claims to Betty.
"Phillip, don't even start with me."
"Alright, alright. Hunter, grab your wage report."
1:35 PM
Betty Lowery, Phillip Staunton
Betty leaving, recorded by Grace Windsor
"Aside from your Lark friend, that was a...progressive meeting. Um, do note that the SBA is a little unstable so be prepared for some changes." Betty explains as she writes on her Palm Pilot. Phillip looks confused, "What do you mean changes?" Betty quickly changes the topic, "And do try to find a replacement for Zoey, I believe corporate wants her for the job."
"Any other openings at corporate, you'll call me right?"
"... Sure. See you again, Phillip."
Betty walks out as Phillip stands with his hands on his hips. Rochelle approaches us with a paper.
"Phil, we need to talk about this finance report."
"I already told Hunter; foreclosed means foreclosed. No more of these sob stories, 'Ohh I'm 80 years old and my funds won't cover my house anymore.' Too bad, welcome to the real world. Get a tent."
"Not that. Corporate is taking funds from our branch."
"Shhhh, shut up."
Phillip shoots me a quick look and pulls Rochelle off to the side. I couldn't hear what he said but co-reporter, Henry Scott, overheard the two and this is what was allegedly said.
Phillip: "This is what we call reallocation of funds."
Rochelle: "Robbery."
Phillip: "As I said, reallocation. Make up a person and make the unaccounted accounted, got that accountant?"
Rochelle: But, Phillip.
Phillip steps away from Rochelle and loudly speaks up, "Thank you, Rochelle, for letting me know that the bank's funds are thriving! You are all doing a wonderful job! So proud!" He walks back to his office as Rochelle stands alone. She looks at me and then awkwardly heads back to her desk.
I pack up my mics, turned off the recorders, and try to process what I have just seen today. Until we see what tomorrow brings, Ridge City keeps running. Come hell and high APR.