The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Salesman, by Waldo T. Boyd

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Title: The Salesman

Author: Waldo T. Boyd

Release Date: June 1, 2010 [EBook #32636]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SALESMAN ***

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from IF Worlds of Science Fiction March 1953.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S.
copyright on this publication was renewed.

THE SALESMAN

By Waldo T. Boyd

_SALESMAN'S GUIDE, RULE 2: The modern 1995 customer who
enters Tracy's Department Store is not always right, but as
far as you are concerned, he is._

* * * * *

The little green cue light blinked three times. Trevor Anson arranged
his tie at just the nattily precise angle, waved his hand before a
hidden lighting-effect switch in the smooth marble pillar at the
entrance to the display room, and faced the elevator. This would be a
"green light" customer--a first-time prospect, and three blinks
indicated a very difficult individual. Anson quickly practiced his
most beguiling smile.

"Welcome to Tracy's Roboid Department," he said, enthusiastically, as
the elevator doors slid open. His practiced smile was just right.

He quickly noted the man's conservative dress, the flaming red tie.
Aggressive type, Anson decided. A shock of red hair that didn't want
to lie down hinted that he was stubborn as well.

"Heard you've got a sale on robots," Red-tie said, challengingly, as
he stepped aside for his wife.

The woman who stepped off the elevator smiled, showing a lovely
dimple, and Anson beamed on her. The tiny flake of a hat perched atop
her auburn hair reminded Anson of the comb on a Rhode Island Red.

"Not robots, sir," Anson corrected diplomatically. "The Plasti-Cast
Roboid is not exactly a robot."

"Well, anyhow, trot one out, and let's see what it looks like.
Millicent will never be satisfied