<jest/>

A few months ago, I was given a project car. You know, one of those kit type cars that you build. The cars I am used to today have EFI fuel ejection, ABS brakes, etc… top of the line stuff, but this was different. This kit came with a duel barrel carburetor, no power steering, drum brakes, old technology. That’s ok, I know this stuff like the back of my hand and it is easy to work on (what I learned in high school auto shop).

The car has gone some phases and its first full iteration where I can actual drive it on the street (not quite safe though). Now it runs, I decide it is time to go get some rims. Well, I drive past “Consulting Hot-Wheels” and head over to “Pep Boys” to go look and see what they have. So, I go to the first sales person hanging over at the tire rack…

Me - “Hey, I want to look at some rims”

Tire guy – “Hold on, I want to bring in some new guys so they can learn and be part of the discussion”.

(two new Pep Boys guy from out of town show up. Both spark plug experts #1 and #2).

Me – “You guys ready”?

Tire guy + #1/#2 – “Yup. What do you need”?

Me – “I would like to have some rims, you have anything good”?

Tire guy – “Over here, we have all of this stuff. Pick what you want, I know about tires more than rims”.

Me = “something that fits my P-zero Pirellis”. “I like this over here… what does it cost”.

Tire guy – “I will have to get back to you” (waiting)…. “expensive, you want them”?

Me – “Yes, can I take it home today”?

Tire guy – “No, they are on backorder. However, you can get them today+90 days. You still want them”?

(meanwhile #2 is grabbed by a manager and is carted off to work on brake pads)

Me – “No, I need them now. What do you have instead”?

Tire guy – “Got some plastic hub caps with spinners. We stock those”.

Me- “Not what I want, but ok. I don’t have much time. Maybe when I build another car (let’s call it C2ar), I will do it right”.

#2 – “I’ll go get it. Which isle are they”?

Me – “Sigh…. Isle 7 next to the spark plugs”.

#2 – “Here you go”

Tire guy – “come back and see us again”!

(another Manager in background congratulates the tire guy for a job well done. Spark plug guy #2 is promoted to tire guy #2)