June 1, 2021 (Short Story)
What do I have to do to get a car like that?
This question changed the course of many events in my life. I was only 15 years old when this question took place. I was walking home from school, and as I approached the uphill on Carter St, where I lived, I spotted a luxurious Mercedes Benz from afar.
I didn't grow up with money, and although my dad was doing more than great during my teenage years, he never had a car that surprised me. That wasn't his thing.
Now that I think about it, this car wasn't even that amazing. I'm not a Mercedes guy at all. Nevertheless, it struck me to see this Benz parked on my driveway. I circled and did the usual lap around the car before heading inside.
I walked in and spotted my dad sitting across the table from this stranger. The stranger smiled at me, and my dad introduced us. Lets call him Al. His presence made me believe that I was walking into his house. He had that ability. He was tall, witty, and charming. And he knew he had some power. He was a salesman. At least, I thought he was.
My dad was in the process of refinancing his house, and the privileged Loan Officer was Al. We engaged in small talk since he knew that was part of the job. A good salesman is not there to sell but to engage with the people. A good salesman leads people to trust him when he does his job.
"Nice car, man," I said. "You like it?" he asked. " Immediately, I knew that he didn't mind compliments. "What do I have to do to get a car like that? What's your secret?" I continued to ask. He then sold me, but I like to think I sold him.
He said it was possible to have a car like that if I wanted. I told him that I was looking for work and that no one was hiring a 15-year-old kid.
"Do you speak Spanish?" was his next question. I told him I did. He offered me the chance to come work for him. He said he needed a Spanish-speaking guy and that my voice was deep enough for sales via phone. I happily accepted.
The following day my dad bought me some professional attire and was set to start that next week. I became a telemarketer at the age of 15 and was getting paid under the table to some extent. I didn't even have my license, so my mom would drive me to the office.
I've had a couple of life-changing scenarios happen throughout my life. This job was one of them. The job offer also was the second time in my life, where I decided to be someone else.
My dad was the first person to teach me about money. Al became the second. But only for a brief period. He was merely a stepping stone into me meeting one of the most important mentors I've ever had when I was just a kid. But he deserves his own story—another blog, perhaps.
I don't regret this experience at all, but I do often wonder how life would've played out if I just said hi that day and went upstairs to my room.
"What do I have to do to get a car like that?" changed my life.
Comments