Salesman in Coffee Shop

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

“I’m just trying to stay dry.”

Bland, please-go-away response.

“What do you do?”

His face is defined by a narrow, upturned nose and broad cheeks. His forehead is high and wide. He’s well-shaven and studies each person as they walk in, trying to decide who to pounce on. He’s drinking a grande hot chocolate and does things to draw attention to himself like yawning or making noises. He wears a white short, freshly laundered and a gray tie with pink tones. His shoes are dark burgundy and his watch has a gold band with a black face. His face is freshly shaven and he practices smiling. He laughs at anything anyone says and talks to anyone who walks by.

The rain is what brought him into Starbucks—he’s a salesman for Affleck (the duck company, as he loves to describe it). He makes small talk with anyone and everyone except young, un-professionals, or couples. He waits for an individual to set up his coffee at the bar and he starts a conversation. It smells of spring rain. His pants are gray and he’s a little pudgy. He comments to the Starbucks’ lady, “I thought all the salesmen would run to Starbucks when it started raining.” She barely responds. He uses this line on lots of other people.

 Houston, TX | ,