Monday, the bank manager received a note: We have your wife. 2 million dollars. No police. 5th and Wilson, 7pm, or she dies. But he wasn’t married.

Tuesday’s note read: You’re hurting her. Tonight.

It scared him.

Wednesday brought a package. It contained a finger that wasn't rubber with a red that wasn't ketchup.

He called his partner and said he would be late.

***

The kidnappers politely tasered him and took the money.

***

"Why did you do it?" asked the woman.

"Your husband didn't know. I had to try for him."

"You’re crazy," she said.

"Why did you do it?" asked the bank.

"I believed them about the police."

"You're fired," it said.

"Why did you do it?" asked the police.

"She's as human as my partner. I couldn't do less for her than I would for him."

"You're an idiot," they said.

"Hon, why'd you do it?" asked his partner.

"Because for somebody else out there, she's you. I had to try to make that come out all right."

"You're unbelievable," said his partner.

“Why did I do it?” asked the bank manager.

“Because I had to believe that I would,” he said.

“I must be crazy,” he said.