I told a little lie to you dear reader.
In my last blog I told you I had made no sales from the ladies show. That's not quite true. I ended up making one sale, ironicly to an old man who happens to be the mayor of our town.
That is also a half tuth. We call him the mayor cuz he's popular, everyone knows his name and where he lives, plus the "mayor" always seems a little larger than life. In many cases its a derogratory term meant to poke fun at someone, and although I do intent to do that, it's done with a touch of respect. I happen to like this old man. He touches a part of my heart and through the years has touched a few more I'm sure.
"Herbert" is well past his eighties and has lived in our town for over 400 years. He owns a home that still boasts an interior worthy of the "Brady Bunch", a 70's TV Sitcom about family life. Now don't laugh becasue Herbert is happy in this atmosphere. In fact, to him it was his last and final interior redecorating project so to him it's up to date and stylish. The carpets although threadbare in well travelled spots are oranange shag, the curtain's paisly, the furniture velour and brown, and each hallway or wall has that funky plasdtic orange glass with the swirls in it. Oh the horror! But it was home for him and his small wife "Doris". It was comfy, and warm, and also home to his recentley purchased "Softub" conveniently plunked on his top sun deck beside the shoe rack, potatoes and the 6 boxes of broken electronics he would one day get around to repairing.
Herb bought the tub because his hip is bad. He's suffered a lot in his later years, his profession had him standing all day long, and because he did'nt believe in retirement, he did this well into the 70's. But over the years gravity trumps mind and he spent less and less time at work. He thought his 50 year old apprentice son was still a little young to take over, but he realized it was inevitable and so he spent more and more time in the 70's shack. He has a recliner that dates back even further than TV itself, but I'm sure its comfy and fits him just fine. How do I know all this?
Herb was at the ladies show, being dragged along by his beloved, killing some time on a Friday night. He recognized me immediately, I was busy exercising option #2, so it was'nt tough to spot me. He plunked himself on my stool, took a heavy sigh, and watched me pedal my wares. I believe he was content to spend the night. He looked comfy, and because he was the mayor, everyone knew him and tipped their hat. Well, as it turned out Herb bought a Hotub for his hip, and he lamented on how he could not use it bcuase the chemicals made his skin itch so much. He proceeded to show me all the spots where it itched but I had to cut him off after he got to areas that shouldnt be discussed or shown at a womens expos. I promised Herb a visit in the upcoming days.
A few days later I collected my wits and made the house call. I was directed up the back steps and led through the back door to find Herb in his easy chair, and his wife Doris dutifully doing dishes by hand. I must say it was a peaceful picture and the smile on Herb's face confirmed my thoughts. We spent about a half an hour talking about the features and benefits of the product. Herb was "itching" to get back in the tub, (pun intended) so we poured the product in and I gave him some specific instructions to purge, drain, clean and refill! he did this obediently. 7 days later he called with a couple of questions to confirm he had done the right thing. I asked how it all turned out and his words were "Marty I'm so happy I don't itch and my hip feels so wonderful"
Nothing like a happy mayor
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