1965
‘No, we’re not joking. At least, I’m not; I’m deadly serious. I don’t just think it’s a good idea, I think it’s a great idea. Practically risk-free.’
He slammed down his mug for emphasis, as if adding an invisible exclamation mark. The coffee he’d made for his guests was far too strong, but perhaps strong coffee was exactly what was needed to put heart into them.
‘You’re talking about robbing a bank!’
‘You make it sound bad, but I’ve looked into every angle.
Listen, I go to that branch all the time: it’s a long way from the nearest police station, they don’t have a security guard, and lots of big businesses have accounts there, which means large sums are paid in regularly.
We’ll find a quiet time, early in the morning, not right at the beginning of the month, and it’ll be a piece of cake, guys – a piece of cake. ’
‘And just how do you two see it happening? Because there’s absolutely no way I’m taking part; no chance you’re going to fool me into joining you. I’m not spending the rest of my life in jail.’
‘I reckon we’ll need a gun; I can provide one.
My family owns a shotgun. I don’t think anyone knows I’m aware of its existence.
Afterwards, I’ll just quietly put it back.
It’s kept in an outhouse at our summer cabin – it belongs to my uncle, but he gave up shooting years ago. The whole plan’s completely foolproof.’
‘OK, I’ll take the gun and stand behind you. You do the talking. I bet it’ll go like clockwork.’
‘Why are you two talking like this? You are pulling my leg, aren’t you?’
‘It’s so much money – it would take us years to earn that much. All it would require is guts and half a morning’s work, then we’d be set up for life; no more money worries ever, and…’
‘For God’s sake, money doesn’t matter, not in the great scheme of things.’
‘We’re not doing it just for the money. We’re doing it to prove to ourselves that we can. To feel that we’re – oh, I don’t know – that we’re alive. You only live once.’