What is money?
"Ah..."
"It's freedom," a voice chuckled softly.
"That's all it is."
And loans?
"They're a chance. A choice."
The banker leaned forward, his smile cold but practiced.
"The system is simple, it's your choice. No one's forcing you."
"Everyone who takes a loan is doing very well," he added with a tone of reassurance.
Gun Tager sat at his desk nearby, processing a customer's savings account. He cast a side glance toward the conversation unfolding at the next table.
"How much do you need?" the banker asked the boy sitting across from him, no older than nineteen.
"Just $10,000," the boy stammered, desperation evident in his voice.
"I swear, I'll pay it back in time. My sister needs it for her college fees. I'm useless; I don't have a future...but she does. She's smart, she can become a doctor if we just get her through medical school."
His voice cracked, threatening to dissolve into sobs.
The banker reached across the table and tapped his hand gently. "It's okay. We're here to help. Happy Bank is here for you. Now, what can you offer as collateral while you repay your debt?"
The boy hesitated, rubbing his hands against his jeans. Finally, he withdrew a Rolex watch, placing it on the table.
Gun observed from the corner of his eye, it looked authentic, even valuable.
"This...this will have to do," the boy mumbled.
The banker nodded, sliding the papers toward him.
"Sign here, and we'll take care of the rest."
"How long do I have to pay it back?" the boy asked nervously.
"Three months," the banker replied, his plastic smile never faltering.
The boy's face paled.
"Th-three months? How am I supposed to pay back $10,000 in three months?"
"That's for you to figure out, sir," the banker replied smoothly, dropping a brown envelope filled with cash onto the table.
The boy peered inside, his eyes widening at the sight of the crisp bills. Greed flickered in his eyes as he swallowed hard.
"I can do it," he said, grabbing a pen and signing the papers.
The banker smirked.
"You didn't read the terms."
"It doesn't matter," the boy muttered, standing and clutching the envelope tightly.
"If I can't pay it back, you'll just take the watch anyway."
The banker nodded, his smile unwavering.
"Of course, sir. Pleasure doing business with you. Please bank with us again."
---
Gun shook his head at the scene as he returned to his customer.
"Your account has been successfully created," he said. "Do you have $20 to activate it?"
The woman nodded, transferring the amount. But suddenly, her screen flashed red.
"Ma'am, it says you have an outstanding debt of $5,000 with another bank, and you're unable to open a new account. Your repayment time is...30 seconds."
The woman froze, then dropped to her knees, pleading.
"P-please help me! I have kids, don't let them take me away!"
Gun's hands hovered above the keyboard, powerless to intervene.
"Ten...nine...eight..."
The countdown echoed through the room.
"Seven...six...five..."
The woman sobbed uncontrollably, her voice breaking with each plea.
"P-please!!! Please help me!"
"Four...three...two..."
The bank fell silent as two men in black suits approached her.
"Ma'am, this is a corporate facility," one of them said calmly. "Please come with us."
The woman rose shakily, tears streaming down her face as she followed the men out the door. Whispers filled the bank in her wake.
Gun's next customer stepped forward, visibly shaken.
"You know what happens to people who don't pay their debts?" she whispered, her eyes darting toward the door.
Gun flashed a reassuring smile.
"Nothing much. The bank just takes what's owed, houses, cars...whatever they signed for."
The woman forced a laugh, though her eyes remained dark with worry.
"Right...I guess I'm overthinking."
Gun's practiced smile returned.
"So, how may I assist you today?"
"Yes," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'd like to take...a loan."