"I want to show you something," she said in a conspiratorial murmer, her eyes bright with the mischief we were foolish enough not to notice. A moment before we had been weaving our way warily through the crowds of shoppers in our very own Bellis Fair. What caused us to turn aside to sample her wares, you may wonder? Simply the pleasing sight of a smiling young woman innocently offering a dab of hand lotion to anyone who would accept its soothing smoothness. With an answering smile of acceptance, the dispensation of a small pat of lotion, and the ensuing delighted relief of weather-worn hands, we had been ensnared.
"I want to show you something," she said. Her voice was warm and delightfully tinted by the lilt of some unrecognizable eastern accent. In, in to the lare of the hawker we were drawn and there she began to weave her crafty spells upon we poor, unsuspecting gentle-folk.
"Have you ever been to Israel?" she asked, and looked enquiringly into first my mother's and then my eyes.
"No," said my mother
"No," said I.
And then it began. Perhaps we are more gullible than most people--more easily taken in. Or perhaps (this option being my preferred choice) she was more clever than most sales-creatures. I don't know which is more accurate, but I do know one concrete, undenyable fact: My mother was cajoled into paying $____.__ (amount witheld to protect privacy of persons involved) in exchange for the bane of every penny-pinchers life--stuff. The rest is a blurr in our befuddled memories. The next thing we knew, we were walking away from the hawker's hut with dazed expressions on our pitiable faces. All I could say was,
"She's brilliant!" and all my mother could say was,
"Haaaaaaah..." in a manner disturbingly like the oval-opening mouth of a fish out of water. Her eyes were glazing. I can only imagine that mine were over-bright with a strangly delirious tendency. We then began to mutter simultaniously something imcomprehensive about mud, the Dead Sea, and gypsies.
Thus was the wreck of our pocket-books. Oh that mortals may be spared such a fate!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
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8 comments:
I too have fallen prey to such devices in the past for exactly the same items! On the other hand I have been happy with what I bought so I didn't have too much buyers remorse. But it is interesting the power that they have over you when you had no intention of purchasing any items of sort when you walked by. I wonder if such power is really a blessing or a curse???? Loved the description! make me smile and think about the times I too have fallen prey to such sales tactics.
Your story was quite funny. I don't tend to fall for things like that, I think its the fact I hate spending money. But I really do feel for you.
Does this mean that you aren't mortal?
Good call, good sir. However, the body as you may recall, is mortal. The spirit is eternal. So my very essence you might say, is NOT mortal. Hmmm...
Nevertheless, I did not mean to imply that I am in any way set apart from others of my race. I merely meant to warn all such away from the snares previously posted upon.
So there.
And your warning was taken. Honestly.
Hey at least it bought me some free entertainment. It looked like some sort of oriental play at work.
What? The distinguished charlatan made no mention of her elixar's immortal qualities? I'm surprised! Oh, if only all salesmen were abrupt and belligerent, I'd easily avoid their spell... It's the nice ones that get you :S
Too true my dear Ruth, too true.
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