The teller typed on her dark gray keyboard for half a minute, her fingernails clicking against the plastic keys.

She paused, looked at her screen, and then leaned in to read the small print.

“Is there an issue with the check?” I asked.

“No, ma’am,” she said softly.

“The check is fine.

But I can’t process a direct deposit into this account without a manager’s override.”

“Why would an ordinary deposit need an override?”

“The balance is currently below thirty-two thousand dollars,” she said, looking down at her desk.