Second Prize
'Monty'
Sharon Goodwin
Second Prize
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The dealership was clean and new. Chrome and glass spread out for most of the city block and any vacant space had been filled with landscaped greenery. There were VW's parked in every manner in every direction. Every color, every style, every size offered by the company was represented here. "The Biggest Selection In The South" was not an exaggeration. Monty walked slowly past all the models. His old flops made a slight squeak every time he stopped. He had read consumer reports and auto magazines for months to establish just the vehicle he needed and he had his notepad in his hand for easy reference. He was making his way toward the camper section when the first salesman approached him."Hello, Sir. My name's Frank and welcome to North Florida Volkswagen." Frank extended his hand to Monty, who took it and gave a firm shake. "How can I help you today?" Frank had been sizing up Monty as he covered the expanse of black flecked gray-green carpet. The black flecks made the carpet look cleaner than it actually was. It was hard to tell dirt spots from black flecks. Frank could tell Monty was a "buyer" not just a "looker". Frank was trying to decide just how much vehicle Monty would be able to afford, when Monty said, "Frank, glad to meet you, but does your company have any lady salesmen?" Frank looked like he had been slapped! "Excuse me," he mumbled, "We usually rotate the customers as they come in and everyone else is busy so I came on over. But, yes, Kate's working today. I'll send her over." Frank had just lost a "buyer" and he knew it! "Why does he want a woman?" he wondered.
Monty continued his slow cruise over to the vans. His notepad had 'Westfalia' clearly listed at the top of the page. Everything he had read about the vehicle had been positive. His list contained all the options and special packages he wanted on the one he would buy, but he couldn't decide on the color. What he drove now was the typical "hippie van of the seventies". The color scheme was bright splashes of free form paint blobs added over the years as the van had gotten older and more beat up. There were too many memories tied to the van to ever get rid of it. It was way past being 'retired'; it was nothing more than moving junk and, more often than not, it didn't even move. He planned on blocking it up and getting some 'on-line' info so he could restore it, but he had to have wheels so that is why he was here.
Her voice broke his train of thought, "Hi there, I'm Kate. Frank said you were looking for a lady salesperson and around here I'm the only one so how can I help you?"
Monty judged Kate to be in her early twenties. Slightly built, she wore her long, dark hair loosely thrown back off her shoulders and wore very little make-up. Chinos, a blue turtleneck covered by a black blazer and flat loafer-type shoes gave her a very casual appearance. Her gaze was direct, her hand hake firm.
"I'm interested in buying this 1998 Westfalia. I've done some research but I was hoping you could fill in a few gaps in my information," here Monty paused, " and I'm not certain exactly what color is 'me'. Know what I mean?"
Kate spent the next forty-five minutes with Monty answering questions, talking specs, opening doors, slamming doors, and investigating every nook and cranny on the van. Monty could tell she understood the information that she was giving out, that it wasn't just a speech, she had a good working knowledge of the van's technical aspects and selling points. She finished by saying, "White."
"What 'white'?" Monty seemed puzzled.
"Well, you were wondering what color was 'you'. It's white."
"Well, white it is," Monty agreed. "Do you have a white one here on the lot?"
"Of course," Kate assured him. "Let's go."
It took another hour to complete the deal. All the while, Frank was kicking himself that he hadn't been the one to make the sale. He had known this guy was a buyer, but Kate was the one who would get all the credit. Frank had been at the dealership three years, Kate had been there three weeks. Frank had closed hundreds of deals, Kate hadn't closed any. It just didn't seem fair.
The Westfalia was brought around to the front parking lot. It's whiteness and newness gleaming in the bright Florida sunshine. Monty felt confident as he and Kate walked out of the glass and chrome showroom and made their way toward the van. Not a smidge of buyers remorse for him. This was an idea come to full fruition.
As Kate handed Monty his set of keys, she gave him a big hug and whispered, "Thanks, Dad. Selling you this 1998 will give me a great start here."
Monty hugged her hard and wondered if she would ever know that in the back of the 1977 Westfalia is where she really got her start. Ah, the memories......
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