I dismissed him as a sample giver

Triumph, I was thinking pleased with the next steps of my current project at work…walking to the BART station. I’ll pick up the mojito mix for this Friday birthday party. I like mojitos. Should I buy expensive mint at Bristol Farms?

I idly strolled through the bottom floor of the Westfield. In between the old food court and the new one, there was a booth. As I approached, I dismissively thought it was some new lotion stand. A guy held out a large plate to me asking me if I wanted a sample. I thought, sure, these lotion packets come handy when I am feeling dry and can fit into my bag…it’s not like he’s going to ask me to buy anything

I absentmindly put out my hand, reaching for the samples. He suddenly pulled the plate away. Confused, I simply stared at the plate.

“You have nice fingernails,” he said. “Let me see.”

I cocked my hand to the side, still staring at the plate which seemed out of reach. Where’s my lotion?? Confused, I leaned forward gazing at the plate of samples wondering why he didn’t give me a packet. Did I have to earn it?

“Uh….” I responded. I knew people thought I had movie star-like fingernails because they weren’t stubby at all. Then I remembered a comment someone made about my uneven nails because I didn’t care enough to keep things perfectly manicured. “Um, I don’t think so. It’s uneven. I don’t want to show you.”

“Oh just let me see!” he said and brought out a nail buffer.

Oh no, I thought. What did I get myself into? Fortunately, I had been training myself for the last year not to be a pansy. So I said simply, “I don’t care about my appearance. Why do we have to define ourselves by appearance. I prefer defining myself by the things I do.”

Regardless, a moment later, he was buffing my right thumb saying things like…now this side is made out of silk and if you don’t take care of it, then it will have ridges showing age.

Then he said like he was about to reveal something shocking, as he buffed my thumb, “Now I am sure you’re going to be surprised.”

I didn’t have the energy to be nice, “Well…no I think I already know how it’s going to be.”

After telling him that I appreciated his efforts and that it was his job…and I should stop being a difficult customer…I walked away with one single shiny nail.

I have always wondered if The Game could work on me when I am in a daze and sleepy.

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