Timothy McSweeney's Header Image

REVIEWS
OF A STRUGGLING
ACTOR'S FIRST THREE
BANK HEISTS.

BY MATTHEW SUMMERS-SPARKS

- - - -

First National Bank
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
APRIL 2, 2008

"What a performance! Even though he had a gun and told us to lie down and stare at the floor and not look at him—or else!—it was impossible to not follow his every move and give two thumbs up!"
—Customer

"We've been robbed I can't tell you how many times, but this thief's inspired performance really made this one special."
—Teller

"He was a one-man Bonnie and Clyde, wielding Warren Beatty's panache and style, and a touch of Faye Dunaway's glamour to keep you intrigued. This heist was very, very entertaining and very, very real: he took us for $24,812!"
—Branch manager

"A robbery of the highest order. This one is for the ages. Bravo!"
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle editorial board

"We're happy that no one was shot or killed."
—Police sergeant


Commerce Bank
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
APRIL 5, 2008

"Brilliant and unexpected, like using a change-counting machine at the opera, or hearing a loan officer soliloquize about why my home-refinancing loan will be approved."
—Customer

"The overall effect was impressive, although this actor's mania led him to take every cent from the institution, including a bag of change from a 6-year-old."
—Customer

"I carried a lucky quarter for 28 years, determined to use it only in an emergency. When I saw this deft, charismatic actor in action, I knew who would receive my quarter. It was fate. And I am happy he did not maim or kill me. Good show!"
—Account representative

"I feel lucky to be alive—this was a very life-affirming armed robbery."
—Customer

"Most times, robbers steal our cash. Rarely do they also steal our hearts. Our bank team really fell big for this guy. We welcome the return of the robber we've taken to calling Rob!"
—Branch manager


Wachovia Bank
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
APRIL 7, 2008

"In terms of acting, it was Ocean's Eleven meets Ocean's Twelve meets Ocean's Thirteen—and then fork over all your cash."
—Teller

"As surely as he stole our daily deposits and our savings, he has also swiped our hearts. Huzzah!"
—Customer

"As I lay on the floor with my hands above my head, I kept thinking, 'I love my wife. I love my daughter. I want to see them again.' The robbery really reminded me of what's important in life."
—Customer

"His conservative charcoal suit and elementary pistol were more awkward than I'd expected. But he made it work—he got away with $15,300."
—Teller

"Sheer, disorienting brilliance that left the mind reeling and the vaults empty."
—Branch manager

- - - -

OTHER McSWEENEY'S FEATURES:

- - - -

Reviews of a Struggling Actor's First Three Bank Heists By Matthew Summers-Sparks
Other Dangerous Historical Events Hillary Clinton Experienced as First Lady By Nick Ripatrazone
The Most Dangerous Game: New Times, New Rules By Ralph Gamelli
Underground America
The Monroe Family Bed Wishes to Die By John Jodzio

- - - -

MAIN PAGE   |   ARCHIVES

 

Memories of Amanda Davis

 


Red dot denotes content that is new today.

Black dot denotes newish content.

McSWEENEY'S STORE

SUBSCRIBE TO:
McSWEENEY'S
THE BELIEVER
WHOLPHIN

FUTURE McSWEENEY'S BOOKS

THE AMANDA DAVIS HIGHWIRE FICTION AWARD

INVITE A McSWEENEY'S AUTHOR TO SPEAK IN YOUR TOWN OR COLLEGE

McSWEENEY'S MONTHLY MAILING LIST

McSWEENEY'S-RELATED EVENTS AND VARIOUS TOUR DATES

ORDER INQUIRIES AND ADDRESS CHANGES

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
FOR BOOKS
FOR THE QUARTERLY
FOR THE WEBSITE
FOR WHOLPHIN

McSWEENEY'S INTERNSHIPS

CONTACT US

- - - -

LETTERS TO McSWEENEY'S

LISTS

McSWEENEY'S PREDICTS

McSWEENEY'S RECOMMENDS

NEW WHOLPHIN FILM

DAN LIEBERT, VERBAL CARTOONIST

JOKES BY BRIAN BEATTY

REVIEWS OF NEW FOOD

DISPATCHES FROM MOSCOW

SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT?

DISPATCHES FROM THE ANACOSTIA

THE WINNER'S CIRCLE WITH ERIC FEEZELL

BEN GREENMAN'S FAKE CELEBRITY MUSICALS

DISPATCHES FROM A HUMANITARIAN JOURNALIST

DISPATCHES FROM IRAQ

SHORT IMAGINED MONOLOGUES

PHILIP GRAHAM SPENDS A YEAR IN LISBON

STAINED TEETH: A COLUMN ABOUT WINE

DISPATCHES FROM THE NAPOLEONIC WARS AT THE MET

KEVIN DOLGIN TELLS YOU ABOUT PLACES YOU SHOULD GO IN EUROPE

SONGS OF ENEMIES AND DESERTS: LIVING WITH THE SUDAN LIBERATION ARMY

LAWRENCE WESCHLER'S EVERYTHING THAT RISES: A BOOK OF CONVERGENCES

THE CONVERGENCES CONTEST

ABOUT WHAT IS THE WHAT

ABOUT BOWL OF CHERRIES

ABOUT COMEDY BY THE NUMBERS

ABOUT JOHN BRANDON'S ARKANSAS

ABOUT MICHAEL CHABON'S MAPS AND LEGENDS

LETTERS FROM AN EARTH BALL TO, OR CONCERNING, SEAN HANNITY

DISPATCHES FROM ADJUNCT FACULTY AT A LARGE STATE UNIVERSITY

ADVICE FROM A PERSON WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

DISPATCHES FROM THE NBA ENTERTAINMENT LEAGUE

JOHN MOE'S POP-SONG CORRESPONDENCES

B.R. COHEN'S ANNALS OF SCIENCE

INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL JOBS

OPEN LETTERS TO PEOPLE OR ENTITIES WHO ARE UNLIKELY TO RESPOND

DISPATCHES FROM A PUBLIC LIBRARIAN

MICHAEL IAN BLACK IS A VERY FAMOUS CELEBRITY

DISPATCHES FROM ROY KESEY, AN AMERICAN GUY MARRIED TO
A PERUVIAN DIPLOMAT LIVING IN CHINA


STEPHEN ELLIOTT'S POKER REPORT

- - - -

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL