An Unwelcome Visitor
The salesman stepped directly into the older man’s path, planting his black dress shoes firmly against the polished tile floor.
He gestured sharply toward the glass exit doors, his teeth clenched as he ordered the man to leave the boutique.
The older visitor stood quietly in his faded brown work jacket, his denim collar frayed at the edges.
He held his hands resting loosely by his sides, his gray beard catching the bright glare of the overhead showroom lights.
“I didn’t come here to look,” the older man said, his voice level and quiet.
The salesman raised a single eyebrow and tapped his wrist before stepping toward a locked display case.
The Display Case
He lifted a heavy gold watch from its velvet cushion, twisting the links so they caught the spotlight.
He thrust the piece forward, letting out a sharp laugh while pointing directly at the visitor’s chest.
“You couldn’t afford the strap,” the clerk said, his fingers tightening around the gold casing.
The older man did not step back or flinch. He watched the clerk’s hand steadily.
“You’re making a very expensive mistake,” the older man replied, his hands remaining unmoving in front of him.
The clerk laughed again, tilting his head back as footsteps echoed from the back hallway.
A Sudden Interruption
A woman in a dark tailored suit pushed open the heavy wooden door at the rear of the boutique.
Her heels clicked rapidly against the marble floor as she approached the counter, her eyes widening as she recognized the visitor.
She dropped her shoulders into a deep bow, placing a hand across her blazer.
“Mr. Carter, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “We weren’t expecting you until this afternoon.”
The clerk lowered the gold watch, his jaw slacking as his eyes darted between the woman and the visitor.
The woman turned on the salesman, her face tightening as she stood between both men.
“You just insulted the founder of this entire watch company,” she said, stepping past the counter toward the rear vault.
Opening the Vault
She pulled the heavy metal lever on the wall safe, swinging the thick steel door open to reveal an inner pedestal.
Resting inside was a diamond-encrusted timepiece, polished and secured on a dark velvet stand.
“This is the watch you personally commissioned ten years ago,” she said, holding the door wide.
Mr. Carter looked at the salesman, whose eyes had filled with moisture as his chin dropped toward his collar.
“And now I know exactly who should never sell it,” Mr. Carter said, turning slightly toward the glass entrance.
The clerk stood frozen behind the glass counter, clutching the gold strap against his palm as a single tear traced down his cheek.
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