"Marcus." Morrison's voice cracked. "Thank God you waited."
Marcus looked up with the serene expression of a man who had just completed a satisfying day's work.
"Punctual as always, Robert. How was the trip?"
Morrison glanced around the lobby at Emma's livestream, still running with tens of thousands of viewers, and at the customers whispering and pointing toward his employees.
"We need to talk privately."
"Everything happens publicly today, Robert. Your staff made sure of that when they turned my simple banking request into performance art."
Morrison winced, but nodded. He approached Marcus like a man walking through a minefield.
"I've reviewed the security footage," Morrison began, his voice carefully measured. "What happened here was completely unacceptable, inexcusable, a fundamental violation of everything our institution claims to represent."
Klene looked up with desperate hope, as if Morrison's words might somehow reverse the catastrophe.
Morrison continued.
"Effective immediately, David Klene is terminated for cause. No severance. No benefits continuation. Personal belongings will be mailed."
Klene's face crumpled.
"Robert, please. I have a family."
"You should have thought about your family before you called the police on our most valuable client," Morrison replied. "Security will escort you out now."
Two guards who had been waiting nearby stepped forward.
Klene struggled to his feet, his expensive suit wrinkled and damp with sweat. As they led him past Marcus, he stopped.
"Mr. Washington, I'm sorry. Truly sorry."
Marcus studied him for a moment. "Mr. Klene, you're sorry you got caught. That's not the same as being sorry for your actions."
Klene opened his mouth to protest, but the guards guided him toward the exit. The revolving door spun one final time, carrying away his twenty-year banking career.
Morrison turned toward Sarah Mitchell, who was still slumped against the wall.
"Sarah Mitchell, terminated immediately. Same terms as Klene."
Sarah did not even look up. She simply nodded and whispered, "I understand."
"Jennifer Hayes, suspended without pay pending full investigation. You'll be contacted by HR within forty-eight hours."
Jennifer's phone clattered to the marble floor.
"Mr. Morrison, I was just following protocols."
"Protocols do not include suggesting customers visit different branches based on racial assumptions," Morrison snapped. "Consider yourself fortunate that suspension isn't termination."
Emma's livestream captured every moment of the corporate reckoning.
Her comments exploded.
"Heads are rolling."
"This is what accountability looks like."
"Klene walking out like a defeated Napoleon."