Reed,” Arthur said in his slow, measured tone.

“How can the bank help you today?”

“I need to rent a safe deposit box,” I said.

“Safe deposit box thirty-two is available,” Arthur said.

“The fee is forty-five dollars a year, billed every October.”

He picked up an official metal clipboard and set it on the marble counter between us.

“Please sign the vault access register on line four,” Arthur said, pointing with a polished silver pen.

I signed my name on the white card and noticed my handwriting looked narrower than usual on the line.