A "bookseller," of course. Evidently, it's a profession, not just a job. Who knew?
Assuming anyone's feet would be killing them if they suddenly started standing on cement 6-8 hours a day, even if Anyone hadn't had both of them operated on just a year ago, I have no problems or complaints of any kind. All day today, I helped all kinds of folks find what they were looking for, or didn't know they were looking for until I put the books into their hands. "Describe the book you want to read," is all I have to say to anyone who thinks they don't know what they're looking for. Two Malibu Barbies wander in, for instance, looking for they don't know what. I ask my Magic Question, and suddenly they're chattering--"It's a chick book but not stupid, y'know? About women, maybe women working, but not in the usual 9-to-5 way. Something kinda edgy?"
"Right this way! It just came in this morning, and it's called Chasing the Devil's Tail. I hear it's great. Here you go--" and I hand them each a copy, and they both buy it.
(She shoots! She scores!)
In slow moments, I get to call up people and tell them their special orders have arrived and are waiting at the front counter for them to pick up. Usually, I get answering machines, but occasionally I get actual people, and they are always thrilled.
My favorite customer so far (other than the two salt-caked Australian surfer gods who appeared yesterday, flirting) is a pudding-faced little woman about 70 who evidently has infinite bookbuying funds at her disposal. Yesterday, she bought a Harry Potter on CD ($75) then decided to swap it for tapes ($45), but something went haywire in the transaction, somehow (I didn't ring it up, luckily). So in she comes today, to rectify the situation. She has several post-its with what she refers to as "my math" neatly worked out. Todd the manager takes one look and says, "You're right. You're absolutely right" and fixes it. "Oh, I am so glad!" I effuse over the counter at her. "I am too, my dear," she says, "because I buy a LOT of books, so we are going to have a relationship, aren't we?" "Yes, ma'am, we are! And I'm glad it's beginning so well," I say, and stick out my hand and say, "My name is [my name]." She takes it firmly and says, "My name is Margaret [Something], but you can call me Bunty."
BUNTY?!?!? I'm going to have to find out where THAT came from, next time she comes in. Like probably tomorrow, at the rate she's going.
Great writing, and very entertaining for those of us on the staid East Coast! Maybe there's a book waiting to be written about this experience?? In the meantime, how terrific, a book store in Malibu!!
Posted by: beth | July 19, 2004 at 05:51 AM