By M D Smith
The word “no” is a shot to my heart. I never ask a question without knowing the answer.
Her front door, a gateway to a horror house. I dread going inside. She’s vitally important and could destroy me with her answer “no.”
Struggling to her door, I walk past. Stop a few feet beyond, turn, and walk past the door again.
Finally entering, heart pounding, I gasp. Fear flushes from my neck down my spine, but I must ask.
“Mrs. Bishop, I’m selling advertising for the student closed-circuit radio station. Will you buy some for your flower shop for Mother’s Day?”
You had me at the first “no”! Great buildup of suspense, with a fun twist.
I wasn’t sure what was about to happen. Love the buildup, and for those of us who did door-to-door sales, it hit a warm spot.
John, I know you’ve been a salesman for many years and I’m sure one get’s over that feeling. When pitching something I knew was a good deal, I took it very personally with any “NO” answer. It hurt my feelings and pride. I could have gotten over it, but I was young and had other aspects of the broadcasting business to focus on. The same with getting rejections of writing submissions. One needs a ‘hard skin’ to take all those rejections (or ‘no’ answers) and I’ve come to understand that over a lifetime.
Good one, M.D. As others have noted, the buildup of tension was very well done, especially considering some of your other stories with very dark endings! Asking for the order. Every sales rep’s burden to bear!
I supervised a sales department and understood sales results was a function of the number of calls you made and the ‘no’ answers you got. I just hated to hear it personally. Same with submissions to 101words.org. I have to get a lot of ‘no’ answers first.
Fear was real! Passing the door, doubling back and trying the third time was a build up a lot of us can identify with.
I thought you were asking a girl out for a date. Honestly, I questioned your taste because if her front door was a gateway to a horror house, what kind of girl were you asking out? You displayed your hesitation well. Good job, MD.
I love the twist at the end! Didn’t expect the story to go there at all!
Ah, what kid hasn’t had to go door-to-door selling things for school? Brings back memories-of that fear.
Sweet twist-ending. I enjoyed this and it reminded me of those poor Little League kids having to come and sell chocolate bars every year. Some of them are terrified. Of course, I always buy several!
I expected horror. Surprise end week done.