PHOTO PROMPT © Jen Pendergast
Salesman
Gerard busies himself applying patchouli-mint gel that holds his blonde-streaked hair in place. He dons a white shirt that twins his capped smile and contrasts so well with his tan. Cool gray pleated pants are next, finished with argyle socks and gleaming black shoes. Gerard turns and smiles before his full-length mirror. He’s ready.
He opens the CX-90’s hatchback and peruses inventory. Check. Sliding onto the white leather seat, he picks up his clipboard. Mrs. Monk is his 9:00.
She opens her front door, wearing pink chiffon and smoky eyes.
Gerard steps through it, suitcase in tow.
[97 words]
Tao Talk 
I liked the way you told us all we needed to know about Gerard through his clothes and grooming routine
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Thanks, Neil!
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Well I hope he’s got plenty of goods to show her. Though it would be a tad early in the morning for me. Lovely description!
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I am guessing she is a satisfied customer. Thanks, Sandra :)
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What a perfectly set scene. Your descriptors are visionary!
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V, many thanks, glad you like them :)
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Interesting 👍🏼
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Thanks, Sadje. Your comment didn’t show up in my notifications and neither did others. WP is up to its games again :(
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It happens with me too so I check spam every day. You’re welcome 💞
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<3
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You always leave us hanging is seems! :>)
A great visual write, Lisa!
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Dwight, when I saw the appliances crammed onto the counter, I was sparked to wonder what would possess someone to buy so many in such a limited space. The rest is history :)
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ha ha… I thought maybe he was going for other reasons!!??
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I see where your mind went, Dwight. Tsk tsk tsk ;)
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Ha ha!
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I’m sure Gerard is very persuasive :)
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I’m sure he is also :)
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Vivid imagery, Lisa! An enjoyable read, thanks.
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Thanks much, Steve.
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Are there still door-to-door salesmen? Although you’ve captured the salesman persona very well–at least the garment center salesmen I worked with 40 years ago. (K)
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K, there still are, as 2 came to my door on Monday! They were from some home improvement company out of Grand Rapids. They wanted me to agree to meet with one of their (high pressure) salesmen, but I politely refused. They left a flyer. I’m not sure there are still salesmen selling those kinds of things anymore though. I hope the salesman you worked with kept his hands to himself.
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I guess we miss them in our city apartment buildings.
All the textile companies I worked with had multiple salesman, and they were all sleazy. Indeed they were always on the make, so you had to be careful.
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Are you saying you miss them but you don’t miss them? ;) As to sleazy in the workplace, “there’s a lot of it about.”
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Exactly.
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I wonder if appliances are all he’s selling (from her smoky eyes :) )
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Joy, I have to wonder about that also. Thanks for reading :)
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loved your story…but personally i hate these salesmen who comes knocking…
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Thanks, Nandini. I hate them also, considering them an invasion of my sanctuary. As if there weren’t enough sales pushes everywhere else.
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Dear Lisa,
Not enough o’s in smooooth to describe Gerard. ;) Apparently she’s happy to buy what he’s selling. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I love your comment <3
Shalom,
Lisa
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Nice exercise. Word weight by limit. I might try it some day.
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PLEASE DO. Prompts drop every Wednesday and go for a week. A real talented and supportive group of folks write there.
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Let’s hope she’s a satisfied customer 😊- great descriptive writing Lisa 🙌
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haha! As evidenced by the number of appliance she has, I think she is ;) Thank you.
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You took me back to when I was a salesman!
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Aha! Now I have your face in there as Gerard :)
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Loved the way you took your time describing Gerard’s dressing routine to make himself look all nice and shiny.
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Shiny is a perfect word for it. The shiny shell is all for a salesperson. Thanks much, Nancy.
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You know it! Very welcome, Li.
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I think Gerard is good at what he does. Great descriptions, Lisa.
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Yes, he is, and he apparently has at least one satisfied customer, and undoubtedly many more. Thanks, Brenda!
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You wrote this so well, I could perfectly picture the scene. And methink there will be no exchange of funds in this transation…
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Don’t forget to imagine Keith’s face as the main character (see his comment and my response.) I would not guarantee no funds exchanged. I imagine she has to buy an appliance from his “sales call.”
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Hahaha!! Love it! Right.. of course, there has to be some reason to be there. She must have a lot of items if he sells so well 😉
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:)
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I enjoyed the possibilities here :P
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Of course the question is, is Gerard‘s last name Monk. by the way, quite the dapper description. do you have a background in fashion/style?
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It could be. Um, I’m about as far from fashionable as a body can be, so no.
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perhaps he is more than a salesman, no?
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Perhaps! Thanks, Someone :)
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A traveling gigolo?
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I think he could be safely put into that category. He’s definitely selling a product.
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Oh lovely character profile here. Detailed yet brief and we know everything about him. Beautifully done
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Thanks so much, Laurie :)
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He is certainly dressed for the occasion and so is she. Very descriptive. Dialogue isn’t necessary.
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Adele, thanks much for your feedback on this. I totally agree.
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You’re welcome, Lisa :)
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