So I opened The Last Drive randomly to page 271 and, without looking, pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger is clothes, which is our prompt today.
Clothes by John W. Howell © 2023
“Well, sir, we can certainly measure your waist, but I think it will still be an extra, extra large.”
“That simply can’t be. The last time I bought trousers, I was a large.”
“Looking at your trousers, sir, I imagine that was a while ago.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I’m just saying that you need larger clothes, sir.”
“I can’t understand it. I don’t eat more or drink more. Why do I weight more?”
“Only the gods know for sure, sir.”
“How old are you?”
“Pardon?”
“You look about my age, and you are like a rail.”
“Lots of worry on my part, sir.”
“Worry?”
“Yes, sir. I have responsibilities that would crush the average person.”
“Oh my. This is distressing to hear.”
“It must be hard on you, sir. There is illness, house repairs, and car repairs. Some days I don’t know how I can survive.”
“There, there. It can’t be all that bad.”
“No, not for you. You have everything. I, on the other hand, am pressed to cover the costs each day.”
“You have this wonderful job in this men’s store.”
“Yes, men come in and decide not to buy more clothes since the size they insist on stuffing themselves into won’t fit.”
“Here, let me take these extra, extra, large sizes in the changing room and try them on.”
“Oh, sir. You don’t have to do that even though that would save me today.”
“Get me several other suits. Today is a day to step out of the comfort zone and live.”
“Sir, your positive attitude is an example for us all. I’ll be right back with a few more things for you.”
“You take your time. I feel reborn.”
“As you should, sir. As you should.”
Fiction Favorites 
A good salesperson!!
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I suppose he is. Thanks, Darlene.
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It’s ALL about the sell!
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Absolutely.
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These days, it’s hard to find salespeople like this guy! Good one, John!
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Thank you, Jill. Most are in the “Can I help you,” but can’t category. 😁
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Salesman of the century there.
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Ha ha ha. Seem that way. 😁
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Guy is bucking for the employee of the month parking place.
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For sure. I would give it to him.
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Now THAT is a salesman!! Betcha he has zero trouble making ends meet at the end of the month…
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He also has an aluminum can recycling route. 😂
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Hahahahaha! Riiiight!
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😁
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Whatever it takes to make the sale.
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It seems that way.
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I swear I have the opposite problem. What used to be a size 10 in womens is now a size 6. I KNOW I didn’t slim down, so I suspect manufacturers are trying to trick women into thinking we did lose weight so we’ll feel happy and buy the outfit!
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That sounds like a good thing. In men’s clothes things are getting slimmer.
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I love the twist the story took. Well done on the prompt, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Great tale of time’s effect on us, John. The salesman catches everyone’s attention, including me.
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Time is an unkind sculptor, Tim. Keeps adding clay.
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Thst is definitely one way to make a sale 🙂
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Devious bugger.
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When I was younger, I worked part-time in the men’s department of a large clothing store. Men, shopping by themselves, were always agreeable to any suggestion by the salesperson. But the woman with her man….whole ‘nother story.
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I used to work in a men’s store. I had the same experience. Thanks. Lois.
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Does the reborn come with the complimentary sticky feeling for the trip through the birth canal ? Enquiring minds want to know…
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Also a bad taste in the mouth.
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Definitely a salesman!! Hang on to yer wallet!! Great story for the prompt, John.
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Good idea to watch that wallet.
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Putting it all into perspective, John. 🙂 A great story.
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Thank you, Diana.
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I don’t think whining is in most sales manuals, but whatever gets the job done, huh, John? Nicely spun as usual!
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I used to teach sales methods and this is definitely and example of what not to do.
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Very clever salesperson, and the writer’s pretty clever as well. 😄
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Thank you so much, Gwen.
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Love the up-sell technique. 😉
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Yes he is a master. Thanks, Monika.
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I sense a snow job and a clever salesman, LOL!
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Yes snow job for sure.
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Passive aggressive? Smart salesman.
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Very of both.
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Oh my, I don’t know how you land on the word clothes, and come up with such an interesting story. You know, when we gave up the fig leaves for cotton we really changed the entire game. Hugs, C
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I would like to go back to fig leaves. Thanks, Cheryl
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Very Dickensian!
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What a great compliment, Noelle. Thank you.
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You’re welcome!
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Now, that’s salesmanship!
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Well a way to sell more anyway.
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Lol, John. Yes, that increasing waist size can certainly be a dilemma, but I’ll take that over worry. Great one!
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Thank you, Jan.
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What a great salesman and clever story, as always, John!
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Thank you, Lauren.
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