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I'm a part-time worker at a popular
Christmas tree lot in central Florida.
"I'd like to talk with you," says 79 year old Larry the owner of
Larry's Christmas Trees.
"Me?" I say.
Eventually, they
always want to talk
with
me.
"I'll be in the
Airstream," he says
then walking away.
Larry's office is an
aluminum skinned
1965 Caravel model
Airstream
trailer.
"Be right there," I say. Of course I'll be right there
after I drag the eight foot Fraser Fir to the car trunk of the elderly woman
holding the leash hooked to the collar of the specially trained seizure
dog (The plastic coated sign saddled atop the dog says: SPECIALLY TRAINED
SEIZURE DOG...DO NOT TOUCH... I'M WORKING).
"You're so helpful," says the elderly woman then giving me a quarter
(25 cents American).
"Joy to the world," I say then smiling.
"Could you give Bandit a boost?"
"Bandit?" I say.
"He can get out but he can't get in," she says then handing me the
leash to the specially trained seizure dog.
The are over 400 Christmas trees at Larry's and while I am walking to the
Airstream trailer I am pulling dog hair from tree sap that is sticking to my
hands.
The 1965 Caravel model Airstream trailer is in sight when over the loudspeakers
I hear:
Holiday shoppers...Larry's stocks Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas
Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine and Norway Spruce Christmas Trees. Larry's
sells only the freshest trees and is open seven days a week for your convenience...
"You wanted to see me Larry?" I say then stepping up and into the
trailer.
"Have a seat Norman," he says. After a drink of something from a
coffee cup he extends his index finger then into the microphone says:
Holiday shoppers...Larry's also sells our very own specially blended tree
life extender...Just a few drops added to the water and your tree will drop less
needles and look fresher even longer...
"That should do the trick," says Larry then switching off the
microphone.
"Very nice, sir," I say. "You could have been a radio
host."
"Norman, all my employees have a dual role here."
"I see," I say, not seeing anything.
"Each employee on the lot sells trees and everything on this flyer
which changes daily," he says then handing me a white sheet of paper.
"Sir?"
"You're a salesman selling Christmas trees but as long as they're in the
buying mode pitch everything on that paper."
"A 1957 Bulova Model 100 AM radio?" I say.
"The grill is perforated brass and it has gold plated dial hands," he
says.
"A Birthing ball?" I say.
"Hardly used," he says.
"I see," I say, seeing.
"The list changes daily or not at all," he says. "It depends on
my sales makers."
"I'm a sales maker?"
"You're a sales maker," he says then asking me if I know anyone that
may have a copy of the Paris Hilton videotape.
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