Chapter 1
I worked the third shift, which was from 11:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M., otherwise known as (the graveyard shift). I enjoyed working at the knitting mill. There were only four others working the third shift, and we all got along great together at work, however we did not socialize outside work. The others women were all much older than I was, by at least Ten years. Andy, was in his mid to late twenties, and was our supervisor. He was the only male on our shift. Then there were Clara, late forties, Nancy, mid thirties, and Sue late thirties. I, Annie, was twenty.
Chapter 2
It was about fifty minutes into the shift, when we became aware of strangers in the mill. Four men, all were wearing black clothes, and ski masks, had entered the mill. We were all a bit shocked at the sight of them.
I thought this was definitely going to be the most exciting night on this job!
Chapter 3
Andy found the nerve to voice the question,
“What about the machines? They are all still running unattended. The material could be ruined if the machines run all night.”
The boss then said,
“Yes, you have a point.”
After a moment, he spoke again.
“One of you will have to accompany me back upstairs to turn off all the running machines.”
Chapter 4
The man walking along side me did not say much to me; I figured it was out of fear that he might give something away, such as information, which could lead police in their direction. Alternatively, maybe in order to keep his objectives strait.
I, on the other hand, did not think about anything but doing exactly what the man instructed me to do. In this scenario, it seemed the best option at hand. I had no fear, but my parents raised me to think about what could happen in a given situation.
He then held out to me one of the new $100.00 bills, one of many I noticed, and said,
“Here, this is for your trouble and in good faith to show you we are not here to hurt any of you.
Chapter 5
A lot of idle chitchat went on for the next several hours amongst the five of us. We talked about what was happening in everyone’s life. We listened and talked about every subject from marriage, to the kids, and even to some stories about grandchildren.
Chapter 6
Sometime around 5:00 AM, we heard the first noise come from the mill beyond the restroom door. I asked everyone to listen; I said,
“I hear something.”
“I hear it too.”
Andy said,
“What do you think it is?”
“Is any one in here?”
We all heard the question, but no one wanted to respond to it except me.
I heard all three of the women say,
“Shhh don’t answer.”
Chapter 7
Our boss, Mr. Simms had gotten a call from the police letting him know about the heist. He came right down to the mill. I told my Uncle all about everything that went on through the night to the best of my ability. I told him all the facts of the $100.00 bill, including the part about the large wad of bills the thief had.
Chapter 8
Mr. Simms, the owner of the mill came out of the office and joined all of us by the time clock. Each of us, after speaking to our assigned officer, went out to the time clock to await further instruction. Mr. Simms told us,
“Well there is about an hour left on your shift, so let’s all get the machines up and running. It will take your minds off all you have been through.”
We all had to check each machine out as if it was the beginning of a new shift. At 7:00 AM we shut, them all back down, punched out, said good-bye, and left for home.
Chapter 9
As soon as Ben joined me at the table, I did not waist any time telling him the story of the night’s events.
Ben, otherwise known as Benjamin Roberts, was twenty-three when we married, on November 11, 1970. He was five years older than I was. Our marriage of two and one half years was falling apart rapidly.
Chapter 10
The next thing I needed to do was to call my dad. I was hoping to talk to him before he heard the news on the television or radio. I needed to assure him, in case he had heard something, that everyone involved were ok.
As soon as I hung up the telephone, it began to ring.
Chapter 11
