The money would automatically be transferred by CHIPS, the Clearing House Interbank Payment System that kept track of the $220 billion shifted from bank to bank every day.
The store clerk was approaching Tracy again, frowning. Tracy hurriedly pressed a key, and the screen went blank.
"Are you interested in purchasing this machine, miss?"
"No, gracias," Tracy apologized. "I don' understan' these computers."
She telephoned the bank from a corner drug store and asked to speak to the head cashier.
"Hola. Thees is Rita Gonzales. I would like to have my checkin' account transferred to the main branch of the First Hanover Bank of New York City, por favor."
"Your account number, Miss Gonzales?"
Tracy gave it to her.
An hour later Tracy had checked out of the Hilton and was on her way to New York City.
When the First Hanover Bank of New York opened at 10:00 the following morning, Rita Gonzales was there to withdraw s8 the,money from her account.
"How much ees in it?" she asked.
The teller checked. "Thirteen hundred eighty-five dollars and sixty-five cents."
"Sí, that ees correct."
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