Success

                                                          Success



    Pounding the pavement for almost a year now, I decided it was time to seek some advice on landing a job.  I was still young,just out of college, but unable to find any work in my field of study.  My father, an old German from the Bavarian Forest, didn't think much of my major, Asian Studies, so he had little to say about advice.  I was offered a job parking cars at a hotel but it just was too demeaning after graduating from college and the pay was horrible.

    Finally, one dreary day, I went downtown to seek advice from a man who was well known in town and very successful.  Walking to the Neo-Gothic office building. I took  the elevator up to the 21st floor, my heart pounding.  I was about to see our town's most successful elder statesman, Sam Green.  He drove a brand new gold colored Lincoln, had an office in the penthouse of our tallest building and he frequented all the best restaurants and bars.  Being an impressionable young man, I could look up to a man of his success and maybe he could offer me some sage advice.

    As I got off the elevator, I was hit by the large gold letters of his name on the wall above the door.  Conservative in Gothic Bold, it just looked like money.  Then, opening the door, I was at once disappointed to see no secretary, let alone a beautiful one.  After all, wouldn't it be fitting to match his status in the business world?

    Except for a few dusty bowling trophies on a bookshelf and several moth-eaten books, little was to be seen in the small reception room.  Of course, there was the required desk, not too impressive, and a sofa which looked like my grandmother's.  The carpet was an old imitation Persian and I began to wonder;  What is this?  It wasn't very impressive for a man of his success.

      Suddenly the inner door swung open and a gruff voice snorted, "Yeah, whatdya want?"

      Surprised of this sudden retort, I stammered,  "Ah, I came up to see you.  I'd like to talk to you."

      Gesturing me in he said,  "Okay, but as long as you're not selling anything."

      "No sir,  I'm not a salesman."

      Cracking what could be described as a smile, he said,  "I haven't much time, but grab a chair."

      Shuffling in I sat down and was almost overcome by the enormous oak desk which seemed to fill the room.  Some glass shelves behind him were covered with an assortment of framed pictures and a few books.  What looked like souvenirs of some kind  scattered around the books.  The desk was completely cluttered with notebooks, papers and stacks of important-looking documents.  Actually I couldn't see much of the varnished top.  It reminded me of a movie I once saw;  After a tornado scene, hitting the town, this desk looked like the aftermath.

    Clearing his throat he finally said,  "Well, just what is it you had in mind son?"

    "Well sir..."

    "Son, don't call me sir, it's Sam."

    "Well Sam sir, I'm presently looking for a job and..."

    "I'm sorry but we have no openings at this time."

    "No that isn't what I mean.  You see, I've just graduated from college but I still haven't found a job.  Things seem to be slow."

    Frowning, he said,  "So what is it you are asking me?"

    "I've  admired you and your great success so..."

    " What makes you think I'm a big success?"

    "Well sir, I mean Sam, you drive a new Lincoln and you..."

    "Yeah, isn't she a beaut?"

    "And you always wear expensive two hundred dollar suits."

    "What?  Where have you been kid?  This rag set me back almost a thou."

    "Anyway you have this nice penthouse and you just look so prosperous."

    "So you're looking for some advice, eh?"

    "I was thinking you could tell me what you owe your success to."

    "Now that is a good question.  By the way, what was your major in school son?"

    "I majored in Tibetan Literature and It's influence on China."

    "Ohh, wonderful.  There must be a big demand for that"

    "Actually it's been difficult.  But tell me, did you look up to your father?"

    "My brother and me were both over six feet tall. My father, his name was Shorty.  Well, he looked up to us, but he did have a big potato farm."

    "Is he still around?"

    "Oh no.  When we were teenagers a big bin of potatoes fell on him and killed him."

    "Oh, I'm so sorry.  You must have been devastated."

    "Yeah.  It took us all day to sort the potatoes."

    "Did you mother take over the farm?"

    "Yeah she did.  We were surprised how much the farm was worth.  She took out a second mortgage and got a ticket to Las Vegas."

    "She must have worked hard all those years.  She needed that."

    "Actually she never made it to Las Vegas. She met some guy at a bar.  We never heard from her again."

      "My Lord!  You had a tragic childhood.  Were you homeless?"

      "Yeah, I'll say we were.  We found out dad had some big gambling debts and we had to sell everything to pay them off."

      "My Heavens. What did you do?"

      "We managed to put some money together,  I think it was about $53 and we started a small business."

    "Was it successful?"

    "We made a decent living.  We sold lottery tickets to disabled persons."

    "So that is how you started your fortune?"

    "Oh Hell no.  Jim, my younger brother, took off one night with all our savings and our secretary."

    "Wow, you must have been shocked.  Your own brother!"

    "I'll say. I was pissed. I was engaged to marry her."

    "Well your life sure had it's ups and downs."

    "Yeah, it did.  I was an elevator salesman, sold hubcaps at night.  I even sold chewing gum on the streets."

    "You've had a hard life.."

    "I've even tried selling toupees but I was allergic to cat hairs.  I sold encyclopedias door to door.  You wouldn't believe  how many lonely housewives are out there."

    "What did you do then?"

    "I was beginning to wonder what life was about so I went to this swami.  When I saw him making ten dollars a head I decided to try it for awhile, but business was so bad I had to quit.  My friends said my heavy Jewish accent didn't go over so good."

    "Just how did you make it?"

    "I decided to try something more meaningful, something artistic.  I hocked everything I had and got the best violin I could afford."

    "Ohh, did you become a concert violinist?"

    "Not exactly,  I practiced for years and managed to play in church ensembles.  Then one day I sold my violin and entered college.  So, I'm here."

    "Wow, What sort of advice do you remember from you mom or dad."

    "My dad said, always pick the biggest potato on the plate."

    "I see, always aim for the highest."

    "No, Dad meant, eat more and get bigger that the others."

    "Hmm, what did your mother say?"

    "She always said,  never pick your nose."

    "Thank you Mr. Green.  It's been a revelation and I appreciate your time.  I'm sure you have a busy schedule so I should go now."

    "Actually I don't but I have to clip out my stock dividends"

    Walking out I could hear him humming and snipping  away.  I envied him.  Here was a man who knew what he was doing.  I was determined to be like him.

    Stepping into the street I somehow felt better.  Maybe my life was about to change.

    And so it did.

    Walking down the street I suddenly recognized an old friend, a high school buddy. He was a drop-out and I always wondered what became of him.  In his new drip-dry suit, carrying a brief case, it was obvious he  was doing well. 

    Calling to him I said,  "Hey ole buddy. Long time no see."

    Stopping in his tracks he said,  "Oh, hi Jack. How are you doing?"

    "It's Jake, remember?"

    "Oh, that's right, Jake.  What are you doing these days?"

    "Well, I'm between jobs.  What are you doing?"

    "Me?  I'm selling stocks."

    ""Really?  Sounds good."

    "I've got something here that'll astound you ole pal.  Have you seen the price of gas lately?"

    "No.  I haven't really noticed."

    "It's almost up to forty cents a gallon.  Some say it'll be fifty cents soon."

    "So?"

    "So,  I've got an invention that will change all that.  It's a super gas economizer that will revolutionize cars."

    "What does it do?"

    "Man!  it improves the mileage by almost fifty percent."

    "But I don't have a car."

    "Well  after these stocks go up your investment will grow and you can buy one."

    "Fifty percent sounds awfully high."

    "Well, we don't know the exact figures, but we know it's high."

    "It sounds good but I don't have much money."

    "This is your lucky day.  The shares are down.a bit."

    "Don't I have to get them at the Stock Exchange?"

    These are special.  You can buy them directly from me.  They're sixty cents a share."

    "Is that all?  Sounds almost too cheap."

    :"Now that's how you're going to make your million.  These shares will be going through the roof.  How many do you want?"

    "How about forty?"

    "Forty thousand?"

    "No.  Forty shares.  I've only got about $28."

    "That's okay.  Let me see,  forty shares at sixty five cents.  That'll be $26 plus commission."

    As I paid him I was impressed by his professional manner so I had a good feeling about him..  It was about time I made some investments.  As we parted I said,  "What's your phone number?  I may need to get back to you."

    "Oh yeah,  I'll call you later,  My phone is out of order."

    Arriving home I sat down to open my mail, assorting out all the junk mail.  Then, one envelope caught my eye.  With a big :"Important" printed in big letters I quickly opened it. 

    It said I was one of the chosen few who was offered to invest in a new venture.  A brand-new car was being developed and would change the automotive business forever.  Called the "Tucker," it was a new concept in car design and shares were being offered to start the company.

    Knowing this was an opportunity of a life time I decided to make the plunge.  If I hocked my stamp collection and sold my old comic books maybe I could put together some $130, enough for a start.

    My life was changing.  I was on my way.