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Muffins and Mayhem, Recipes for a Happy (if disorderly) Life
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Dear Reader,
I was looking back through old journals from six years ago, and I discovered this entry.
I'm facing the beast today. I'm nervous. It's refreshing to look out my window and realize I'm not alone. All of the people driving next to me had to face the beast, too. There's no other way to get a new car. You must meet the beast head-on and unfortunately on his turf. The beast doesn't make house calls. He stays close to home, in the atmosphere he's created and knows so well.
There's a greeter at the front door. He smiles, "Come in. How are you today?"
I would rather have a root canal, or give a speech in front of thousands of people, than face the beast.
The greeter and the salespeople, they look like normal people. Cardigan sweaters, eating corned beef on rye at their desks, in their cubicles with the small glass windows dividing their workspaces. I have to wait to see the beast. He's out on a test drive with someone. I'll see if he comes back with any blood on his hands.
While I wait, another seemingly kind and gentle beast tells me about free donuts, coffee, and sodas. "You can watch television while you wait for service, and we have six computers available for customers to use. And if you have to wait too long," he smiles, "we'll give you a foot massage." (It's a little beast joke.)
When I finally decide on a model, the beast inquires, "Will you be doing a trade-in?"
But I remember my friend's advice, "Don't tell them you want to do a trade-in until after you've negotiated the deal."
The beast asks again, "Will you be doing a trade-in?"
I say no. My moral compass is bothering me. I shouldn't lie, yet I say with conviction, "I will not be trading in my car." Nothing illegal about my lie. It's okay. It's a game of cat and mouse. Each party knows what part they play. So I have no choice. It feels awkward. (But I notice the beast seems to feel right at home.)
He's filling out the form before he goes to get the manager's approval. "Will you need new plates, or will you be using your current tag?"
He's probing again, he doesn't believe me. It's another question to get me to admit I plan on doing a trade-in. He's a clever beast, he is.
Then he adds, "Let me be honest with you. The reason I'm asking if you're going to do a trade-in, is because it takes less time to process everything if you tell me right up front. You could save at least 30 minutes."
'Let me be honest with you?'
I shudder. Perhaps I should leave this minute? Lick my emotional wounds and rejoice that I have options.
Maybe buy a used car from a regular guy? But then I remember the Suburban wagon years ago. "Used Car For Sale, Excellent Condition."
"Is there any rust?"
"No rust," the man assured me.
One car wash later, the touch-up paint washed off and the rust spots appeared. One, two, three, four, five . . .too many to count.
"Buyer beware of the beast!"
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
www.muffinsandmayhem.com
AUTHORBUZZ: Melody Carlson, today's featured author, writes...
Anna Larson's life hasn't turned out like she planned. Widowed in World War II, she raised her only daughter in the shadow of a domineering and spiteful mother-in-law. But when Anna's own mother dies, she returns to her childhood home and Native American roots. Empowered by the quiet strength of the beautiful Siuslaw River, Anna decides to transform her family home into a place of hope and healing.
To read more about RIVER'S SONG goto: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
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