A year or so ago.
It was a slow day on the car lot. I was having a slow day everyday though. I knew this job wasn't for me but it had the best pay potential for someone so lost in life as I was. Thing is, I had to sell to make that money and I was struggling. I was a month in and had the second lowest sales and the bottom guy was off last week. It didn't look like this job was going to work out and I started feeling the existential dread of what the hell I was going to do next in my life if I found myself fired with no sense of direction.
I saw an old guy leisurely looking around the lot. Shorts, sandals, floral button up shirt. Looked like a classic retiree killing time. Probably why it looked like none of the other sales people bothered with him.
Fuck it. Not like I got another fish on the line.
He saw me approach and he seemed to appraise me like I did him. Well now. He might not be here to kill time. He might actually be looking to buy. I steeled my resolve and set my personality to customer service as I got to him.
"Hello sir. My name is William. What brings you here today?"
"Hello William. Here, take my card."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old wallet. A card popped out rather suddenly from a sleeve on the outside and he handed it to me. I take it out of instinct wondering for a second why a customer would hand me his card until I read it.
Dean Rogers, sales.... Shit, he was a salesman himself. Like doctors can be the worst patients, sales people could often be the worst customers.
"What can I show you today Dean?"
"I'm looking for a simple point A to point B efficient car. It's for my niece that just graduated college and I'm trying to be a good Uncle but not trying to break the bank. What options do you have?"
I took him to the sedans. Low starting price but I might be able to get him on upgrades to up my commission. I showed him the options and features of 3 cars I felt satisfied what he was looking for and had good commission potential Trying not to give him too many because that always tended to make the customer much more indecisive and likely to walk.
He let me get through my pitch of each and then asked if he had any questions.
"Are these the only options?"
"Of course not sir. We have a vast inventory but I thought these were a great starting point and fit what you asked?"
"Why is that?"
"These come with popular upgrades that I can sell you to increase commission I sorely need."
Dean Rogers looked at me closely. He was obviously thinking about something. I hoped my honesty got me the sale.
"Why do you need the commission so much."
"I've been struggling at this job sir. I'm not sure I'm a sales type of guy. The hustle is getting to me and I find some of the sales tactics scummy. But it's potentially the most money I can make right now as I kind of flounder in life looking for a good direction to head in."
"I see. So tell me. Commission not being a factor, what would you recommend then."
"Well sir tell me a bit about your niece. Favorite color, what she's going to do with that degree and potential commute."
He told me the answers and with a couple more questions I settled on a recommendation.
"Here you go sir. This is a compact so driving down narrow city streets or in old parking garages will be way easier when she drives into the city. If you want any upgrade to this the self park would be the only thing to get if she can't typically parallel park. Despite its size it's still a safe car. Highest safety rating in its class on the lot. High dependability score as well."
"I assume we didn't start with this because. It didn't have the best commission rate."
"Worst one on the lot sir."
"Would you feel bad selling this to me."
"It may not be as good for my wallet sir, but probably best for my soul to sell you the right vehicle."
He gave a broad smile at my answer. Things were looking good!
"I like you William. Here, take another card."
I wondered why he was offering me another card as he popped another card out of the wallet's sleeve. The card looked the same but I trusted this guy in whatever he said and did naturally so I got over it quickly.
"I'm not buying a car today William." My heart sank. "I'm sorry to have jerked you around about a car but I got something much better to give you than any sale."
My eyes lit up totally believing him without question. He held up his wallet to me and I took it.
"If my clothes didn't give it away, I'm recently retired. In the beginning of my adult life I was like you. Lost. Actually outright depressed before it was common knowledge what that is. For years after I was supposed to have at least started to figure out life, I was drowning and feeling more ignorant than ever. That was until 30 years ago, I was given that wallet."
I looked at the wallet. Wait. Does it look different now?
"Good. It has accepted you. What you got there is no ordinary wallet. It influences people with the cards it spits out. I used it to make a shameful amount of money and now I can retire in luxury. I have no need for it now. You do though. I see myself in you and want to help like the last owner of that wallet helped me."
"How does it work?" I asked totally accepting what he said as the truth.
"Don't entirely know how it works or where it comes from. Just know what it does. When you hold the wallet, just think about how you want to influence the person. A card will pop out and you hand it over to them. They won't be able to decline the card and whatever magic, cosmic rays or something changes them how they see you. I made you be honest with me and then trust me. It's why I chose you and why you aren't doubting anything I say."
Holy shIt! I know this sounds unbelievable and if I heard this from anybody else I would say it's complete bullshit but I just knew this guy was telling the truth. I stared at the wallet in my hands. Completely in shock by the power I could now wield. It scared me.
"I see you're not that excited about it. Probably a good thing. I would have felt I made a mistake if you suddenly held it up like a fantasy villain holding up the magical artifact of great power he just found. Take care of yourself William. Use the power wisely. Oh, and probably a good idea to keep it a secret from everybody. So don't go hanging out cards like candy on Halloween."