“You’re welcome.” He hands me a business card. “Be at this address in the morning by ten, or I am calling the police.”
“Fine.” I get out and slam the door. I lean back down through the window. “Be careful with my license.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He drives off.
I take out my phone and instantly call my bank.
“Hello, this is banking online. How may I assist you?”
“Hi, I’m traveling, and I need to cancel a card that has been stolen, please?” I begin to pace on the sidewalk in front of the hostel.
“Of course, what is the card number?”
“If I had the card in front of me, I could tell you.”
Don’t mess with me, woman, not tonight.
“Do you know the account numbers?”
“I’ll log in to my online banking and check. Hang on.” I put her on speaker and quickly log in. I narrow my eyes as I stare at the measly one account.
BALANCE: 0000
“Um.” I frown as I try to work out what is going on here.
Where’s my $1,800?
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“It’s saying zero balance, but I know there’s money in there.”
“What’s the account number?”
I tell her, and she types into her computer.
“There was a withdrawal . . . several withdrawals ten minutes ago in Barcelona. I’m sorry, sir, the account has been completely emptied.”
“Son of a bitch!” I cry. I pace backward and forward in the dark.
“Put in a dispute, and we will try and get it back for you.”
“Oh, thank god. How long does it take for the money to come back?”
“Twenty-eight days.”
“Twenty-eight days?” I cry. “I’m in Spain. I have no money. What am I going to do?”
“You will have to get some money transferred into your backup card until we send you a new one.”
“What do you mean, a backup card?”
“Everybody knows that when you travel you have to have a second card you don’t use in case this kind of thing happens.”
Damn it, I specifically didn’t do this so I couldn’t have spare cash. I didn’t want to have a slush fund.
You idiot.
“Everybody but me!” I cry. This is the literal day from hell.
“I’ve canceled the card and ordered you a new one. Where do you want it sent to?”
I stare up at the hostel. I don’t even know the address. “I’ll have to call you back with an address.” I sigh, utterly dejected.
“That’s okay.”
“Thanks.”
“Mr. Miles . . .”
“Yes.”
“It’s a good thing you weren’t hurt in the robbery, sir. A lot of travelers aren’t so lucky. Possessions can always be replaced.”
I stare into the darkness. “Yes, you’re right.”
“Good night, sir.”
“Good night.” I hang up and look around in the darkness.
It’s quiet and still. The sound of laughter can be heard in the distance.