October 30, 2001 • 6:12 AM
Phillip Staunton (General Manager)
Interview by Grace Windsor
Phillip sits at his desk in front of me, working, as I set up my recording equipment. He puffs on his cigarette. "You want one?" He asks, holding the cigarette box to me. I decline stating that I have asthma. "I do to, don't feel bad about it," he smiles to me. Wanting to keep the conversation moving, I ask him what he was doing.
"Going through old applications." I nod in agreement. He takes another puff, "See now, we have the position filled already and instead of telling them that. We have to push the blame onto them by putting 'Applicant is Not Interested'. It all works out in the end, either way." His Nokia begins to ring. He picks it up and speaks to me, "Ah, it's the old man." He answers it and I ask him if I should leave, "Oh, no, it's all good. It's probably nothing." I agree and continue to set up my equipment as he talks on his phone.
"Hello Mr. Staunton senior," he smiles to me. I smile as the other line speaks, Phillip's smile fades as he sits up. "Dad, Dad, listen, please. Look, I am a manager of a bank for Christ sake." He fixes his tie and I avoid eye contact. "The nursing home workers are there to help you," I cringe and don't know whether to leave or stay. The man on the other line yells more and Phillip tries to hold himself together, "No, don't say that. I am not..." He smiles reassuringly at me as he fiddles with his necktie. "Mom would not have been disappointed in me, momma loved me. Dad...don't-" I hear a hang up dial buzz as he puts his phone down. I look up and see him with tears in his eyes. He notices me staring and wipes his eyes, "He's just cranky is all." We both sit in a painful silence as he takes a weak puff of his cigarette.
________________________________________
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.
________________________________________
9:08 AM
Ridge City Bank workers speaking to clients
Recorded by Henry Scott
"If you pull your money, 9/11 would be the second worst disaster you went through." He looks at me and asks "What does fear-mongering mean?"
A male worker looks around as I approach him, "Mom, I think we need to move back to Nassau. America is getting too scary."
"I can't deposit just five cents, Mr. Richards."
9:16 AM
Zoey McKarton
Recorded by Sarah Mason
Zoey begins to pack her items from her desk. I asked her what she was doing she turns to me, "I got the job, uh, and I knew I would get it. Now watch, Phillip is going to try and take all of the credit for it." We both laugh.
9:17 AM
Breakroom conversation
Recorded by Henry Scott
"She got the job, and all she did was follow my advice," Phillip gloats as he pours himself a mug of coffee. Gerald speaks up,
"What kind of advice did you give her?"
"Oh... plentiful," Phillip mixes sugar into the mug.
"Like what?"
Everyone in the breakroom stares at Phillip as he thinks of what to say, "... Never stop, even if she says 'no', never stop." He holds up both of his hands making peace signs.
"No, Phillip. You can't say that."
"In the context of Betty!"
"Even worse!!"
"I meant, persuade Betty to get the job... that is what banking is all about. Persuasion."
Hunter puts his hand up to Gerald and Phillip, "Quiet down, I am trying to watch the television."
I look at the TV as Gerald speaks up, "Hunter this is a rewatch of the plane hitting the North Tower." Hunter smiles, "So much calamity." Phillip looks to Hunter, "Hunter, that was a tragedy. Turn it off," Never before did I think I would agree with him. "It is still a cinematic masterpiece" Hunter responds. Gerald quickly turns to Phillip, "Phillip, why would you hire this sociopath?" Phillip stares at the ground, dissociating, "It was the 90's," he takes another sip of his coffee.
What?
9:24 AM
Lori Pathouson (Corporate HR Representative), Clair Benedict (Ridge City Bank Receptionist)
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Corporate HR Rep, Lori Pathouson walks into the bank. She was the one who permitted us to document, so we have to walk on eggshells around her. She walks to reception, "Hello, I'm Lori Pathouson, is Mr. Staunton in?" The receptionist, Clair, speaks, her words slurred and slow. "Yeah *hic* he is appointment only." Lori nods then stops, "Well... are you drunk?! You cannot drink on the job! In accordance with Document 12 of the employee handbook-"
"HEY BOY, my husband died in the World Trade! No one tells me what to do, I have to raise three kids on my own!" Clair drunkenly yells.
Lori closes her eyes in annoyance, "Just... can you let Phillip know I am here?"
"PHILLIP! PHILLIP! MR. STAUNTON!" Clair yells, Lori looks at me and my notes. "Could you erase that part there?" she asks me, I oblige. Phillip runs out from the breakroom, "CLAIR, WHAT?! ARE YOU WELL?!"
"Ms. Pathouson *hic* is on line one," she slumps over her desk. Phillip rolls his eyes and approaches Lori and I.
"Lori, what brings you by? Was it my search history?" He giggles and looks at me.
"No... is... is that something that I should worry about?" Lori asks.
"Oh, no! It was just a joke that was."
"Well, it wasn't funny."
"Never said it was... so..."
"... So you shouldn't say that in the workplace."
Phillip stands awkwardly as tension falls around us three. Lori breaks the silence, "If we could just meet in your office." Phillip nods, "Sounds like a plan, Jan."
"My name is Lori."
9:32 AM
Zoey McKarton, Rochelle Little Bird
Recorded by Sarah Mason
Zoey packs the last of her items as Rochelle walks over to us. "After two years you finally got the job?" She laughs. Zoey giggles, "After three years, you still have this one?" They both laugh. "Off to Silverton City then, are you?" Rochelle asks. "Yup, right to Trenton Financial, Stock Street, to be more exact. Clarion Tower" Rochelle nods in agreement, "Well, just look out for airplanes working up in that building," She giggles.
"Don't joke about that."
"I am so sorry."
9:36 AM
Rochelle Little Bird
Interview by Sarah Mason
Rochelle: Can we as a country just come together and realize that the attacks were an inside job?
Me: What? No.
Rochelle: Oh, I meant the highjacking was an inside job.
Me: No.
Rochelle: Oh come on, Ferret News told me that. Ferret News never lies.
9:43 AM
Phillip Staunton, Lori Pathouson
Meeting recorded by Grace Windsor
Phillip lights up a Nixon brand cigarette as Lori leans in to use his lighter flame to light her Horenborough cigarette. He brings out his ashtray and speaks up, "So what's going on? Yesterday Betty told me to prepare for changes, do I have to make a redundancy?" Lori takes a puff of her cigarette, "No, seeing as you are going to be losing Zoey Mckarton. You need to hire a new Loan Officer, or, I was thinking. Promoting Gerald Scott to the position and hiring a new accountant." Phillip nods, "Gerald... he has been in the same position since before I got here. So should I just throw a hiring note in the papers?"
"I was actually thinking..."
"That's dangerous."
"There is this high IQ individual who is extremely qualified for the job."
"Oh? Where is he? Sounds like a person who would like to be friends with me."
"Whitney County Correctional Facility."
"Would NOT ever be friends with me. That is a Super Staunton Stamp of 'NO'."
"What?"
"No. Absolutely not!"
"Why?"
Phillip scoffs at her question, "This is a bank, we don't hire criminals."
Lori leans in, "This is a bank, we are the criminals."
10:01 AM
Employees in the breakroom
Recorded by Henry Scott
I and others sit, eating our lunch, some asking me about journalism and how to get started in my line of work. If a banker wants to become a journalist, something is definitely wrong. "Y'all hear about corporate taking money from our branch?" Hunter speaks up as he bites into his microwave burrito. Gerald nods, "Yeah, have you seen Stock Street lately? Riots and protests every day because of the recession." I and other workers agree. "I've never seen so many angry stock brokers. I've also never seen so much Jewish culture on one street," Hunter laughs. Everyone in the breakroom stares at him in silence.
10:04 AM
Hunter Gardner
Interview by Henry Scott
"What's not to love about Stock Street? Y'know all of those neoclassical shit stains in the Silverton City skyline? Yeah, they are the backbone of America. Everyone thinks it's the everyday blue-collar worker. No, it's us upper-middle-class white collars. Nice try though, Little Timmy. Try again."
10:12 AM
Random sights as I gather my equipment
Recorded by Sarah Mason
I plug in my recorder to charge and look up to see Clair stumbling out the door, being led by the bank's security officer, Wallace Wallace. I get weirded out and try to mind my business as I hear a worker on the phone next to me. "With a 67% APR with no fixed mortgage, you are seen as a liability to the bank. Uhh, I would start to lock your doors as repo men might be paying you a visit." Jesus, this is not my America.
10: 14 AM
Phillip Staunton, Lori Pathouson
Recorded by Grace Windsor
The two sit in Phillip's office, the bright fluorescent lights buzz ahead as the building's heating unit hums. "So, what is this person's name?" Phillip asks. Lori looks down at her packet, "Pratt Jacobson." "Christ, even his name means 'ass'," Phillip complains as he puts out his cigarette.
"Look, he is willing to work for 8 an hour."
"Oh, he is hired on the spot!" Phillip exclaims, hearing the news.
"Well... still do give him an interview for... legal purposes," she states, pointing at me. Phillip side eyes me and nods in agreement.
10:24 AM
Phillip Staunton
Interview by Henry Scott
"Most days, I pray to God that I don't wake up. But I do, I trudge my way out of bed and into Ridge City Financial. It is good, however, being one of the most important people to work in the SBA because I get to help poor saps like this Pratt fellow. And...free parking. I leave my car parked here after work and jog the three blocks home."
11:09 AM
Phillip Staunton leaving
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Phillip walks to his rusted minivan, he sparks up a Nixon cigarette before he gets in. I ask him where we were going.
"I have to go halfway across Ridge City to go see this Pratt guy. He is in a halfway house/mental institution, I am almost counting on him to rob us," he laughs. We get into his van and I keep the conversation going, "If you can't hire this guy, what will you do?" He thinks for a bit, "Look for some lowlife who wants an entry-level job." I nod, "And if you do hire him?" "Feel happy because that is less money I need to spend," he smiles.
He reaches down to the floor and grabs out a can of air freshener, "Gotta look and smell presentable." He sprays himself down and throws the van in reverse.
12:23 PM
Zoey leaving
Recorded by Henry Scott
Zoey and I grab her grab her boxes and begin to head for the front door. Zoey turns to face the bullpen, "Well everyone, it was wonderful working here with all of you!" Nobody looks up or notices her, I turn to her to see her seething. "Be mad because I will make more money than you all!" she yells. Again, no one even notices, she angrily tells me to follow her.
12:26 PM
Zoey McKarton
Interview by Henry Scott
I pull Zoey to the side for one last interview and she agrees.
"Ridge City is a tension migraine that causes you blindness. Silverton City on the other hand is like a... synaptic vessel waiting for dopamine."
"It's a what?" I ask.
She stays quiet for a second, "It's a big fun city!"
A car horn honks, frightening both her and I. We both look to see Rochelle in her jalopy. "Natives, never on time but the first ones to leave." I almost laugh but refrain, "Is she driving?" I ask. "Yeah, my car was towed."
12:35 PM
Phillip Staunton driving
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Phillip throws his finished cigarette out of the window and turns on the radio.
Station 109.7: "We mourn the thousands lost in this catastrophic attack-"
He shuffles the channels.
Station 32.1: A press conference with George Bush on Ferret News crackles in, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America-"
He shuffles the channels once more.
Station 102.4: "Here's Alien Ant Farm with Smooth Criminal-"
Phillip shuts off the radio, "Nothing good on."
12:48 PM
We arrive at Whitney County Correctional Facility
Recorded by Grace Windsor
We finally pull up to the looming brutalist monolith. Putting the van in park, he fixes his long curly brown hair and looks at me, "Confidence, is key. Either he is a man who made mistakes and wants to better himself or he is an all-knowing sociopath who will take advantage of this and kill everyone in my office... I am going with the latter." "Oh?" I ask, shocked. "Oh, I am just kidding," he rolls his eyes. Phillip gets out as I unplug my equipment, he opens my door for me and we both walk in.
(Note. Under Silverton State Law: S.L. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 7 § 51.15, Inmates confined in a facility under the Department of Correctional Services of the State of Silverton have a limited constitutional right to be visited and interviewed by representatives of the news media.)
We both walk down the corridor of the institution as ex-inmates laugh, some drawing, some reading, and others in a group talk with councilors. They look at us as we walk down the hall. Phillip smiles and hoists his hands up, making two peace signs, "Work for that freedom, all! A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits!" Some of them smile awkwardly and others just turn away.
12:52 PM
Phillip Staunton
Interview by Grace Windsor
"A culture shock, it was a culture shock. Seeing grown men go about their day, happily in solidarity. I saw some talking to councilors and amongst each other some listening to music, and some playing gin rummy." He fixes his tie, "I even saw a few hugging and kissing, that's the brotherhood of love in there- oh, wait a minute!"
12:54 PM
Phillip meets Pratt
Recorded by Grace Windsor
Phillip and I reach the meeting room where reception told us Pratt would be. "Do you want to go first?" He asks me, I tell him that I am only here to document. He opens the door and we both walk in. "Mr. Jacobson," Phillip greets the younger male, shaking his hand. "Mr. Staunton, and... who are you?" He asks, looking my way. I try to answer but Phillip cuts me off, "Journalists. Only here to document." He stares at me, Pratt nods his head. "Let's sit down, ay?" Phillip mutters, we all sit at the small table. "And you were arrested for what? Manslaughter, drunken manslaughter, popping a cap in a fool's ass?" Phillip laughs and looks at me. "I killed my mom's abusive boyfriend," Pratt states. Phillip immediately drops his smile and sits up, serious, "Tragic, that is a tragedy. You did the... semi-right thing. I would've done the same if some hoser did that to my moms." Pratt nods along, "I live every day in regret, if only I hadn't been so...impulsive. But, after a long decade of therapy and being in here, I am a lot better." I smile and give Pratt my support, we both look to Phillip. "I actually wouldn't have killed him. Now that I think about it," he states. Pratt raises his eyebrow,
"Oh no?"
"No, I would've waited to catch him in the act of beating her and call the police."
Pratt leans back, "What would you have done while waiting?"
"Good question. Probably scratch him. Real bad. Get some... good slaps in, y'know?"
1:12 PM
Betty Lowery
Interview by Sarah Mason
"Phillip? He is...an exceptional branch manager. Well...after what happened in September, he hasn't been the same."
Obviously, we all haven't been the same since September so I ask her to elaborate.
"His mom worked in the South Tower where I worked and..." She lets out a sigh. "She jumped... out of a window that day. And Phillip watched it all unfold on live TV. He is a... complicated individual, someone most people would avoid, but... he just... yeah. On a related note, I lost my old office in that building. I still miss those Trenton Financial views."
1:17 PM
Betty speaking to Ridge City Bank employees
Recorded by Sarah Mason
Betty walks out of Phillip's office and into the bullpen. She puts her fingers to her mouth and whistles feebly. "Listen, everyone some announcements. Phillip is gone for the rest of the day so I am stepping in. Expense reports are to be turned in before you walk out that door, accounting. Loans department, APR reports need to be turned in. Relations... yall have nothing, don't even know why we have you all on payroll. And...did the tellers already head off?" A worker speaks up, "They headed out when they saw Phillip leaving." Betty chuckles, "Sounds about right, um... Rochelle is with Zoey, Hunter is sleeping, everything seems good. Let's crunch these last two hours, every one. Remember there is no 'I' in team but there is an 'us' in trust. Bank trust, it is a financial joke... so." Silence. "Back to work."
1:26 PM
Rochelle and Zoey driving
Recorded by Henry Scott
I review my equipment and notes as I overhear a conversation between the two women. "Do you already have an apartment up in SC?" Rochelle asks. "Yep, Centre Park East. My dad got it for me as a celebratory gift," Zoey responds as she takes a drink of her bottled tea.
"Who's your dad?"
"Hurron McKarton"
"The pimp?"
"... Socialite"
I look out the window as we drive into the Mohican borough of Silverton City. Tall skyscrapers and iconic structures overshadow the rot of the streets below. We drive through the Trenton Financial District and see the debris of the World Trade still being cleaned up, National Guards and police officers patrol the area. Passing through Chrono Square, I look at the neon and LED advertisements shining down. We finally arrive in Centre Park East and I grab out Zoey's desk items. Rochelle puts her car in park, "See you later, Zoey. I'll call you later tonight." Zoey is about to go into her apartment but stops and turns around, "My man is taking me out to The Bull, do you want to go have a few drinks with us?" Rochelle looks in her rearview mirror at me, "Scott, could you drive me back if I have a few drinks?"
On the one hand, it is very unprofessional. On the other hand, this could provide more content for the report. I agree to drive and Rochelle looks at Zoey, "Why not, it's not every day you are in Midtown Mohican."
1:30 PM
Phillip Staunton, Pratt Jacobson
Recorded by Grace Windsor
We all sit in the room, playing UNO as Pratt's parole officer, Rose Ann, walks into the room. Pratt puts the cards away as they get ready for the meeting. Before Phillip could introduce himself, Rose speaks, "So you want him...a violent offender to work at a...bank?" "Thanks for the encouragement" Pratt grumbles. Phillip sits up, "I think in my personal philosophy that every person on earth deserves a second chance at redemption." I see him take a peak at his notebook, "Oh, Second chances are not given to make things right. But are given to prove that we could be better even after we fall." Pratt looks at him,
"Did you read that?"
"Did I what?"
"Read the quote?"
"Shut up."
Rose rolls her eyes, "Ay, Dios Mio. ¡Qué idiota! ¿En qué banco trabajas? Jamás iré."
Phillip stares at her before speaking in broken and mispronounced Spanish, "Por favor caballo eres gorda." Rose stares at him, "¿Que?" Phillip scoffs, "I said; 'please my friend, don't be like that.' I took Spanish in high school, maybe learn a few lessons beforehand before coming at me in another language." He leans back in his chair. Pratt and Rose stare at him in silence. "So, when can he go?" Phillip asks. Rose grabs out her files, "...well, I will just need a Silverton State Criminal Hiring Form from the owner of the company and a letter of approval from you." "Great, we will get that," Phillip grabs out his files.
3:28 PM
Betty Lowery
Interview by Sarah Mason
"I thought that this week-long report would make a good PR stunt to show how professional we are at handling this... tragedy. Markets are down but our hopes are up."
A knock at the door is heard as Financial Director, Ferdinand Bellsford, walks into the room. "Betty, are you about ready to leave?" He asks. Betty logs off of her computer, "I am always ready to leave." They both laugh and head for the front door. Phillip walks into the bank and bumps into the two. "Hey, Betty, I have gotten confirmation and approval to start the ex-con over here tomorrow. Betty nods as Phillip stares at the two, "Oh, you two in here after hours. What were you doing?"
"I was picking her up" Ferdinand states.
"Ohhh scandalous" Phillip laughs.
Betty furrows his eyebrows, "What are you insinuating?"
Phillip giggles, "You know, he 'picked' you up."
"I like men, Phillip." Ferdinand cuts in.
"And that is amazing. I was just... making a joke..."
The two stare at Phillip as he fiddles with his tie.
Betty crosses her arms, "Did you think it was funny? Because I didn't."
All of us stare at him as silence falls around us.
"No." He mutters.
Betty drops her arms and walks away, "I'm writing you up."
Ferdinand stares at Phillip before walking off with Betty.
Phillip stands and looks at me, "Cunt, isn't she?" He laughs.
Betty turns back and walks back to us, "What was that?"
4:56 PM
Rochelle Little Bird, Zoey McKarton at The Bull
Recorded by Henry Scott
We've been at this shoddy bar for around half an hour, I spent most of it playing darts and I forgot to document. I look and see Zoey and Rochelle drunk at a booth. I sit and listen to their pathetic conversation.
"You know Zoey...Y-you know, I hate working in that place," Rochelle drunkenly slurs. "I knowww! It actually hic made me suicidal," Zoey adds as she drops her head. Rochelle takes another shot and speaks, "A-and, I hic hate myself...I work and slave for this...th-this bank. And I go home and hic be alone." Zoey pulls her head up, "I-I hear you, girl. I feel so alone, Rochelle." Zoey's sober boyfriend, Jonathan Hackler, speaks up, "You know you have me, right babe?" Zoey turns to him, "N-no one gives a fuck, boy."
Me and Jonathan both look at each other and decide it is time to get these ladies out of here.
5:21 PM
Henry Scott driving Rochelle Little Bird
Recorded by Henry Scott
After spending a while trying to get Rochelle in her car I get in and begin to drive to the highway. Rochelle sits up and stares at me, "Pull over!" She yells. I explain to her that I cannot pull over on the highway. She demands for me to pull over but I take it that she is just drunk and ornery. I roll my eyes and explain that I can't once more. She proceeds to projectile vomit all over the dashboard.
Keep in mind. This was only day two of seven, God help us all.
MEMORANDUM
To: Ridge City Bank Employees
From: philibuster55@heatmail.com
Date: October 30, 2001
Subject: New Hire Welcome & General Reminders
Team/Family (All the same),
Beginning October 31, 2001, please be mindful of your personal belongings and keep them secure during work hours.
We'll be holding a welcome gathering for our newest employee tomorrow. Clair, please arrange for a welcoming cake, and while you're out, pick up a pack of Nixons Menthol for me. Take it out of petty cash, thanks in advance.
You all know the routine for these things: be pleasant, smile, and keep things light. If you're not in the mood for socializing, the back office remains available.
Reminder to pay $5 for the chance to win a 3% raise in your paycheck for tomorrow's party raffle! Clair will be very happy to assist you with this.
Hunter Gardner, please refrain from eating fish at your desk, this comes directly from Ezney.
Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.
Warm regards,
Phillip Reed Staunton
General Manager, Ridge City Bank,
Visionary