By Chris Smith
Sometimes it is not uncommon for a person to work two (or more) jobs to make ends meet. Jake did what he had to in order to take care of his family. So, after working his primary job, Jake would work at a large sporting store called, “The Outdoor Pro Shop”. This store was a sportsman’s paradise; it had everything from boats, ATVs, fishing, camping, clothes and a very, very large hunting section. Because of Jake’s background and experience, he was tasked to work in the camping section. The way the store was laid out, the camping section had a lot of foot traffic through it as people headed to the hunting section. Jake truly enjoyed his job because, to him, it really wasn’t a job. He was able to help first timers and experienced people learn about products and techniques so they could enjoy the great outdoors. He even went so far as to do demonstrations for some of the products. One example would be, when Jake talked the store manager into letting him do a demonstration using a turkey pot. Jake set up and fried a couple of turkeys using the products that were in the store, from the pot and burner to the spices and peanut oil. It was a huge success and the products in his section flew off the shelves. Often, he would get customers that would ask where this and that would be, mainly items that are in the hunting section.
Well, one day he was showing a family the differences in backpacks and how they fit and the intended use for each model. During this time a couple of guys abruptly interrupted the questions coming from the family and asked where the doe scents were. Jake politely advised that they were in the hunting section. The two guys grunted and walked off. Jake and the family resumed the task of finding the right backpacks. After the family decided on which ones they wanted, Jake went so far as to pull common products that you would have on a trip off the shelves and load the packs with average weight. By doing this, Jake was able to properly fit the backpacks to each family member.
The two guys from before appeared and interrupted the family again. One thing you must understand about Jake is that he has zero tolerance for rudeness and, at times, can be very sarcastic. You know the type, the one guy in a crowd that, when someone is looking for sympathy or whining, will say, “but did you die?”
The two guys asked over the family in a loud tone, “Which doe urine is the best?” Jake said, “Excuse me,” and walked real close to the two guys and leaned in like he had a secret to tell. The two guys leaned in and in a hushed voice Jake said, “I’m not supposed to lead you one way or another to a specific product, but have you tried the new product call Pickled Possum Piss?” The two guy’s eyes went wide. Jake knew he had them. He went on to say that P3 is so good that they can’t keep it on the shelves. The two guys started grinning ear to ear. Jake told them that the store just got a truck in last night and to see the hunting section folks, who would find it for them. The two guys said, “thanks” and moved out a brisk pace. Jake returned to the family and finished helping them. About an hour or so passed and the store manager came over to speak with Jake. He said, “Jake you have got to stop playing with customers like that”. The manager said the new associate working the floor in hunting was unable to find the P3 or had ever heard of it. Obviously, he was talking about the two guys. Jake said, I understand and will try to do better but sometimes common sense isn’t so common. Moral of the story: Don’t be Rude and if you ever find the P3, buy it up because it doesn’t stay on the shelves.
Chris is a Combat Veteran recently retired. A few places he has deployed are Afghanistan, Jordon, Panama, Haiti and various non-combat areas. He is an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, camping, fishing. He lives with his bride of 29 years in Alabama who he calls “Household 6”. If any Veteran or family member of a veteran who sees changes in their loved one or for that matter anyone that is contemplating suicide, he urges you to contact him at combatvettalk@gmail.com.