Car sales, especially in the desert climate is incredibly seasonal. For other industries, summer proves to be a good time of year to buy and sell cars, but there, the temperatures are in the triple digits so that no one wants to get out and move around during the hottest parts of the day.
The Holiday season is also another one of those seasonal periods. It was cold and wintry out on the lot at the dealership one December night in 2002. There were absolutely no prospects on the lot. Most of us had just finished locking up the cars and facilities and were huddled inside where it was warm waiting for the final okay to leave for the night.
Blast From The Past
It was a Friday night, and a good friend of mine John P. called me. Another friend of ours, also named John (K.) invited both of us to join him at one of the casinos in the desert for a fun night out on the town.
John P. has a love of good tequila and had recently purchased a bottle of something known to be very expensive (my memory escapes me so many years later as to what brand). I have a great relationship with John P., who always makes me laugh, and by now my coworkers, with little else to do, were intently eavesdropping on my conversation noting my giggles. But I wasn't really paying attention.
John P. continued to share his plan for a fun-filled evening. He and the other John (K) wanted to go trolling for dating prospects. Frankly, I did too. Neither men were romantic interests for me, and we all just enjoyed each other's company, hanging out from time to time. The plan was to serve as each other's wing men (or woman) as circumstances dictated, but regardless of success, we all knew we would have fun together, all to be kicked off by a few shared shots each of tequila.
I ended the conversation to notice virtually all of my coworkers, led by then Finance Manager Robert H., stifling snickers. Some unsuccessful souls were already rolling on the ground and laughing quite uncontrollably, that their beverage was snorting out their nose.
"Okay, what gives? What's so funny?" I asked, once I was off the call.
The Finance Manager replied calmly with a question... "So, busy night tonight?"
"A couple of friends of mine and I have plans, so?"
"Both named John?", he inquired.
"Yeah?" I said seriously perplexed now, not getting what was obviously a joke at my expense.
By now the entire sales floor couldn't hold it in any longer, and one of them, maybe it was even the finance manager, blurted out:
"Two Johns and a
Bottle of Tequila!"
Once the gravity of this totally innocent pairing of words hit me, I too turned 12 shades of crimson, unsuccessfully tried to extricate myself from the implications of that phrase, and in the end, gave up and joined them in roaring laughter!
The Here and Now
A recent project of mine gave me reason to reach out to my former auto industry colleagues and when identifying myself to the receptionist, I realized it had been more than 6 years since I was last there, and as it happens in the auto industry, salesfolk come and go. I was a microscopic blip on the massive pulse of that industry.
I tried spelling my name, giving time lines when I was there, but still I received no return call. Finally I emailed the Finance Manager directly, who was now a very busy General Manager for the entire store, and merely identified myself as the girl with "Two Johns, and a Bottle of Tequila." He returned my call within 5 minutes! We had a great laugh and caught up on our lives to date. He was quite helpful with my project, and told me not to be a stranger.
Some impressions and some memories can last a lifetime! I had some of the most hilarious experiences while working at that dealership and will cherish them always.
