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The bank was bustling with people, long lines of people waiting to either leave money or leave with money and then get on with their day, while a single harassed looking clerk was trying to keep up with it all. Mrs Hudson sighed, she was in for a long wait. The shopping would probably have to wait until tomorrow if she wanted to be on time for tea with Mrs Turner. At least she had something to do while she waited, bless John for introducing her to audiobooks.
Fifteen minutes later, during a very unrealistic but nevertheless exciting car chase, there seemed to be some kind of commotion at the doors, heads were starting to turn and just as Mrs Hudson was turning around herself to see what was going on, someone jostled past her. Well, that was just rude! Really, no one had proper manners anymore, but she wasn’t going to let that ruffian get away with jumping the queue.
Grabbing him by the arm, before he could get past her completely, she admonished him: “You can wait in line like everyone else, young man. You’re not the only one who –“ the words froze in her throat as she looked up and saw the black stocking pulled down over the mans face. Had she just told a bank robber to get in line? Surely not, especially since the man apologised politely and meekly made his way to the end of the line. Maybe the mask was some weird new fashion fad? When she looked around, she only saw shocked and disbelieving faces, though and the clerk had one hand under the table where Sherlock had told her the panic button was located. He too was staring at her like she was crazy. Well the police was probably already on their way, so naturally, Mrs Hudson texted her tenant.
Don’t be alarmed, but I
may be caught up in a
bank robbery.
The response was almost instantaneous.
Where are you?
SH
And more texts were coming in before she could even start on replying to the first.
Never mind, Lestrade is
tracing your phone.
SH
Are you alright?
SH
And what do you mean
‘may be’?
SH
Meanwhile no one seemed to know how to handle the situation, but since there didn’t seem to be an imminent threat, the clerk continued calling people to the counter. A few people left the line, apparently not willing to put up with a botched robbery on top of the ridiculous waiting time, and slowly inched towards the exit. The robber made no move to stop them.
Oh I’m fine, I was at the
bank depositing your
rent check. And this
young man barged in
with a stocking pulled
over his face and
everything, but he’s
waiting in line now.
We’re on our way.Is he
armed?
SH
I don’t know. Looks like
he’s holding something
under his coat.
Gun?
SH
Too small, looks like it
might just be his hand.
A bluff? Not a knife?
SH
That would have to be a
very small knife. I don’t
think he’s thought the
whole thing through. He
looks terrified.
Terrified?
SH
And skinny, even worse
than you. I don’t think
he’s really dangerous,
do you?
[picture attached]
He does look rather
pathetic. We’re almost
there.
SH
It’s my turn anyway.
Have to go.
Sherlock entered the bank with John in tow just as Mrs Hudson was finishing up at the counter. He strode right up to her and once he’d determined that she was in fact fine, made to lead her to the exit. Before they got there, though, she stopped him with a hand to his arm: “Oh, do you think we could stay a little longer? I want to see what he does when it’s his turn.”