>>> Item number 33509 from WRITERS LOG9407B --- (54 records) ----- <<<
Date:         Tue, 12 Jul 1994 18:35:02 JST
Reply-To:     WRITERS <WRITERS@NDSUVM1.BITNET>
Sender:       WRITERS <WRITERS@NDSUVM1.BITNET>
From:         Mike Barker <barker@AEGIS.OR.JP>
Subject:      SUB:  The Customer Is Always Right!

I'll finish these Reader's Digest sparks some day...
tink
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                     The Customer Is Always Right!
                       Copyright 1994 Mike Barker

    "Let me try the Rocky Mountain."
    I pushed the white paper hat up a bit with the back of my hand
and smiled at the well-padded lady in front of me.
    "Yes, ma'am!  With lemon, ice, or straight?"
    "Lemon."
    I picked up the clear plastic glass and pushed it under the bottle
of water labeled "Rocky Mountain Spring Water."  My little finger
pressed the trigger and water bubbled into the fake "crystal." With my
other hand, I caught the tongs and grabbed a slice of lemon and floated
it on top of the water. I still thought it was silly for me to be
selling bottled water in the middle of a department store, but I had to
admit that it was selling quite well.
    I set down the Rocky Mountain and picked up her three dollars with
my right hand, while my left hand picked up and handed her two quarters
from the ledge as I slid the dollar bills into the cash box.
    "Thank you, ma'am, and hope you'll come back soon."
    The next customer stepped up.  Big man in a leisure suit.  His mouth
was twisted, and he was looking at all the bottles behind me.
    "Yes, sir, can I help you?"
    His mouth puckered, then he nodded.
    "Waters of the World, right?"
    I nodded.
    "That's what our sign says, sir.  And what would you like?"
    He glanced at the bottles again.
    "Are those all you have?  Kind of a small collection, isn't it?"
    "No, sir, those are just the most popular kinds of bottled water.
There are more in the storeroom around the corner.  We have what we
think is one of the most complete collections of waters from around the
world.  As a matter of fact, we'll pay you if we don't have your
favorite."
    He blinked.
    "You really pay people?"
    I sighed and got one of the company cards out.  I put my finger on
the guarantee, then held it where he could read it.
    "Yes, sir.  That's the company guarantee, right there."
    I let him take the card and look at it.
    "Were you looking for something special, sir?"
    Now he grinned.
    "Yeah, kid.  Let me have some ocean water."
    I shrugged.
    "Certainly, sir.  Atlantic or Pacific?"
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