Outside the "Cloud Layer Cafe," two women clad in coarse long skirts, looking anxious, tightly held their small bundles as they hurried along.
The woman on the left looked up and saw two queues outside the bank winding like the Seine River. She immediately tugged at her neighbor beside her and said, panting:
"Oh, Holy Mother Mary! There are so many people… I told Paul a week ago to come and exchange gold, but he didn't listen..."
The shorter woman looked even more worried:
"We need to hurry, Mrs. Colamo. I heard Mr. Defour say the bank doesn't have much gold left..."
"My grandfather always spoke of how terrifying the Mississippi event was back then. I hardly believed it, yet now we might experience the same disaster!"
"I brought food and water for three days, no matter how long it takes, I must exchange these banknotes..."
The two passed by the cafe and heard someone inside shouting:
