Andy and The Banker

Andy and The Banker

Andy & Max

By Beej & Atonia

Andy had been walking around with the check in his pocket for two days now. He'd never had so much money in his life and wanted to be able to take it out and look at it and believe it was true. He'd called ahead and made an appointment to talk to Max Skinner about investing it. Andy had no idea what that meant except that Richie had told him Max could make his money grow.

He rang the doorbell and waited, check in hand for Max.

Max looked at his watch and smiled. Right on time, a good sign. Getting up from his desk, he stretched before tidying the paperwork on his desk and heading to the front door. He could see Andy through the etched glass panel and smiled. He was looking very nervous. Opening the door, Max held out his hand in welcome.

"Hello, Andy. Come on in. I thought we could talk in my study, I've got some paperwork for you to look over, nothing too daunting, just an idea of how we can make your money work for you. Take a seat while I go get us some coffee."

He sat Andy down in one of his sumptuous leather chairs and went off to the kitchen. He was soon back with two steaming mugs in one hand, and a milk jog and sugar sachets in the other. Handing a mug to Andy, he went round his desk and sat down.

"Right, Andy. Before we do anything, I need to know just what kind of figure we're talking about."

Andy laid the envelope on the desk, 750,000 Mr. Skinner," he smiled, "more money than I know what to do with. Well, I know Lucy and I are going to need some to fit out the flat when its finished and we're going to get married so I'll need some for a ring and all.. I'll tell ya right now I don't know anything about banking...never needed to until now."

Andy carefully added milk and sugar to his mug, wiping up the spilt milk with a napkin. He was trying not to be nervous but not doing such a good job of it, he looked up with a crooked grin.

Max smiled. "Relax, Andy. I'm not going to bite. This isn't an interview, it's a chat." Max opened the top draw of his desk and pulled out a packet of Jaffa cakes, offering one to Andy and explaining that he had to hide them from Ceri or she'd eat the lot in one go. That remark made Andy giggle and relax a bit.

"Now then," Max continued. "That's a fair hunk of cash. There are several ways we can go. You'll need a normal current account...sorry, you Americans call it a checking account don't you. Then you could put a lump sum in a high interest account, one that you can't withdraw money from left, right and centre. You could also have an investment account, not forgetting a business account, if you want to use any of your capital for any future projects you might have in mind.."

Max took a gulp of his coffee and ate a Jaffa cake before continuing. "I've written down all your options, don't worry, I've used plain English and no jargon. Perhaps you'd like to look them over with Lucy, then let me know what you decide. As for this cheque, I have a secure safe here that you can keep it in until the bank opens if you like.

Andy munched on his Jaffa cake trying to take it all in, Lucy was much better at this sort of thing he was wishing he'd brought her along."I think I'd like to take that sheet of paper with me and talk it over with Lucy. I know somewhere down the line I want to open a restaurant of my own, it's probably gonna take more than that check to do it so the investment account is something I'd be interested in." He looked up at Max, "I don't want to be washing dishes the rest of my life in somebody else's kitchen...I've got some ideas about that."

Andy touched the check one last time before pushing it across the desk toward Max. "You better keep it, sure wouldn't wanna drop it in the soup," he grinned.

Max had made up his mind. He liked Andy and would do everything in his power to help him fulfill his dream.

"It's good to have a goal in life, Andy. I'm sure that things will work out just fine. I know you're more now than just a human dishwasher, and that you have a natural talent with food. I've tasted it," Max smiled, patting his firm stomach. "I'm sure Steve and Millie would welcome a restaurant eventually. It will give them more time to run the guest house and enjoy their family. They could still do breakfast and a light lunch, whereas you could do evening dinner, and perhaps a more substantial lunch a few days a week.. But don't let me tell you how to run your business, I know how to eat, not how to cook."

Max stood up and offered Andy another Jaffa, then handed over the thin folder he'd prepared before their meeting. Walking him to the door he turned to smile at Andy. "Don't think you're only welcome here to talk business. I'm certain that Ceri would love to see you and Lucy come over for dinner one evening, or to a B-B-Q. You could give her some tips," he winked, before opening the door and walking Andy out.

"Thanks, I really appreciate the help," he took a deep breath, "that wasn't bad at all," Andy grinned and stepped off onto the walkway. Max Skinner didn't seem like a high powered banker at all...just a regular guy. Andy crossed the street...a man of some means with a bank folder under his arm.