Escape - Leaving It All Behind

<<Table of Contents>>

Chapter 1

A cool, cloudy September 2021 day in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, in a town nestled between hills and an overflowing river, it appears much like any other late Fall day to the average Joe or Jane towns’ folk. But appearances are deceiving. Just ask any staff member at the local bank located in the town’s presently largest plaza of the man seen leaving their premises.

Shortly after departing the branch, said unnamed person quickly opened his satchel. Withdrawing the contents from therein, out of one plastic bag as he walked past one trash container he tossed his Oilers ball-cap into the bin and donned a beret.

Continuing walking towards the plaza, and another trash receptacle, he pulled out another grocery bag. Shrugging off his hoodie, he quickly donned a woolen pea-coat which dropped to mid thigh.

Onwards he walked, quickly picking up the pace. Now on the parkade boulevard, and nearing its end and the last trash bin, he takes a small drawstring bag from inside the satchel tightening its strings after which he tosses the satchel therein.

Sauntering now, taking his time, as the clouds darkened further, rain started to fall like a mild spit or dash. Though, within less than a minute, the rain hastened into a mild drizzle and then a subsequent downpour, if not torrent or monsoon.

Seeking the cover of a shop awning, "he," known only by friends as Grey, leaned back against the outside shop window glancing to and fro'. It didn't take long - about 6 minutes - as he looked across the plaza parkade until police cruisers pulled up outside the branch.

Pulling his medi-mask back up over the bridge of his nose, Grey enters the adjacent grocer to wander its aisles. Down one aisle and back another. Repeating twice this amble along the aisles, he then walks to the deli near the entrance where he can gaze out into the parkade and across towards the branch.

After about twenty five minutes of being in the grocer, Grey purchases an inconsequential item and walks out. He continues his slow walk back - towards the branch - until he is outside the auto-glide doors.

With the drawstring bag hung over his right shoulder, he enters and approaches the customer service desk at the front. An employee looks up, rather startled at first but then calmly asks, "How I may help you, sir?" Grey responds, "May I speak with the manager, please. I need his services regarding a pre-authorized withdrawal. He and I spoke of it on the phone recently." The employee, looking somewhat perplexed obliges and picks up the telephone on the desk. Little does she know what is about to unfold.

Within 2 minutes, the branch Manager, a Mr. Adams, walks out of his office and hurries to the branch front customer service desk. He extends his right hand; "Mr. Simon, so nice to meet you again," he says to Grey - Simon not his real last name. Greg extends his own right hand and after a firm hand shake, he swings the draw-string bag forward towards the manager who looking almost as perplexed as the customer service desk woman did a few minutes ago, asks, "What's this? I thought your visit was about a pre-authorized withdrawal?" To which Grey quickly replies, "You don't remember, do you? If that is the case, maybe I should just leave and go place a call to your regional manager."

Grey does an immediate about-face and walks out the front door. He's not taken two steps outside when a police cruiser stops at the curb and an officer climbs out the driver's side door. The manager appears to follow Grey but no words are spoken further and the officer, after a glance at Grey, directs his attention to the Branch Manager.

<<Table of Contents>>

<<Next Chapter>>