A FREE-BE ?

My ‘07 Camry is in for a quick free check-up, The all new waiting area is at least 10 times larger than the old one and is now in full stainless steel regalia. Too many door frames galore with an overage of heavy glass, that my directions to the manager’s office lead to the outside. I caught what looked like a salesman who helped a lot, ‘That’a way’ he said. Following his instructions I had to go through 3 more doors, getting a dirty look from each ‘proprietor’. At last I located the manager’s office and he had not yet arrived.

My quest continued. Another wandering soul appeared and I asked if he knew where the Finance Dept. is. ‘Sure, right thru that door,’ Wrong. That turns out to be 3 large sales rooms, where I am immediately approached to look at the new ‘2010s. I brush him aside. He takes his time and leads me back to the waiting room where I decide to wait.

The waiting area has as many handsome gray and mauve leather chairs as the building has doors. I pause for a cup of coffee, choosing decaf from four other more exotic blends. The black shiny urns gleam, mirror the chairs. There are ample trash cans in strategic places that look like Frank Lloyd Wright designed them. I am impressed, but not happy.

The hour my cheap job was to take now if an hour ½. A large, sloppy looking black woman fills one of the new chairs. She wears a long, slippery dress with a large black and white print. Her spaghetti shoulder straps are twisted and soiled, barely hold on to her extremely low blouse., a blouse which does not cover her sagging, bulbous breasts.No girdle, no corset could retain her huge belly. Any minute I figured she’d give birth. With 4 noisy children running wild in and out of the chair area, she didn’t once ask them to sit down, behave. One ran right over my foot.

The rest of us still waiting customers are sedate, quiet. We stare into space, have more coffee, read the newspaper, perhaps go hog wild and buy a bun. Four large t.v. screens hang in an an artistic square that can be seen from any part of the area. I don’t need them. I have the lady and her belly to watch.

I’m getting perturbed and start asking questions. ‘Is my car ready yet? Can you locate Al?, Will you find out if the manager is in yet?’ I add ‘Please.’ Al finds and stuns me. My 2 ½ year old car needs a few things attended to and it will cost about $400 (which rings up in my head at $500 minimum.) ‘Al, I have another appointment in 15 minutes and can’t stay. I’ll make an appointment when I get home.’ My car is waiting outside, thru 3 more doors.

For my next appointment I’ll bring an extra pen to perhaps begin chapter one of a book that I have been thinking of doing, a new writing book and MY CHARGE CARD!