Penny's Farewell

My mother was not only a talented artist but also had a gift for writing and story telling.  While digging through some memorabilia and family photos last night I ran across this poem she wrote in 2005.  In 2005 she had been working for Lack's furniture for several years.  This poem is some insight into a "day on the sales floor" with her contemporaries.  I believe "Penny" was a designer that contracted with Lack's to come in periodically and "spiff up the place".  I could be wrong.  If there are any of Mom's former associates from those days reading this you can set me strait.  I'm sure everyone will enjoy this but those she worked with at the time will probably get the biggest kick out of it.  Just for clarification if you don't know, an "UP" is salesman speak for a customer.  And without further adieu...

The showroom is gleaming, the “poppers” are bright,

Mr. Lentz put balloons for the next sale in sight;

The sales folk arrive, get their coffee, and chat,

Check back orders, straighten, and do this and that.

Now it’s just before ten, on the furniture floor,

Take your places!  We’re open!  Ben’s getting the door:

A payment, another: “Good morning!” I say,

An hour and no UP; this could be a slow day –

Carolyn knows where to find cheap stuff that’s nice.

Deb-O will offer nutrition advice

About protein and calcium and L-carnitine.

Jackie’s floor job is on step seventeen.

Everyone’s happy that Chris is now gone,

Tell stories about him and things that he’s done.

Rey & I talk about fish nights at Furr’s;

Diana would rather have fast food for hers.

Charles’ favorite sport is dissing George Bush –

And also he likes to make the girls blush.

But we turn the tables on things that he’s said;

And sometimes it’s his turn to be turning red –

The reps may bring snacks and will visit with you;

Some know all their stuff and some don’t have a clue.

Kim brings in her guinea, Michelle brings her pup,

That’s all very well, but where’s that next UP?

Ben sells the gold and he does it with ease;

Ann’s stalking the sale, if not stung by bees;

Tracking the customer, killing possums and snakes;

She’ll bring home the bacon with sales that she makes.

Jim’s made a big sale and he’s beaming with glee,

A houseful of stuff and a big-screen TV.

Britt’s thinking he’d rather be playing guitar,

Jackie knows furniture, learned it at Star.

Hector is new but he also is old,

Knows the ropes, knows we are bound to be told:

“Sell the Club!  Sell the Gold! Sell, sell to the max!

As Ray will remind us, “IT’S A GREAT DAY AT LACKS!”