Vendedor Humilla A Anciano, Pero Luego Se Da Cuenta De Quién Es

No Hay Venta

El anciano entró en la tienda vestido con ropas modestas y habló en voz baja. Intentaba pedir ayuda, pero un vendedor prepotente le echó enseguida.

Le hicieron comentarios groseros y le dijeron que allí no había nada para él. No se imaginaban que el frágil anciano reiría el último. 

Un Veterano Del Ejército

Robert Jack era un veterano del ejército que había luchado en la guerra de Vietnam. Sus años de servicio lo dejaron marcado de por vida, pero logró salir adelante y encontrar la felicidad gracias a su esposa, Katie. 

Ahora, Robert se enfrenta a nuevas dificultades al atravesar sus últimos años de vida, y hace todo lo que puede para seguir encontrando esperanza. Pero, ¿será suficiente?

Un Amor De Décadas

Robert y Katie se habían casado hacía décadas. Ella era su novia del instituto, y habían estado enamorados desde entonces. Sin embargo, al envejecer, los problemas empezaron a acumularse. Últimamente, la familia empezó a pasar por una mala racha, y el viejo se sentía perdido. 

Un día, paseó un rato y entró en un concesionario de coches. Nada más entrar, todas las miradas se dirigieron a él. ¿Qué hacía allí? ¿Acaso estaba atravesando alguna crisis médica y necesitaba ayuda?

Venta Matutina

Ese día, el concesionario estaba pasando por mañana extraordinariamente lenta. Sin embargo, los empleados de ventas hacía tiempo que se habían acostumbrado a este fenómeno y no les preocupaba. 

El personal debía identificar a los visitantes que realmente podían comprar alguno de los coches expuestos en la tienda. La mayoría de la gente entraba en el concesionario para ver los coches caros, sin tener la intención ni los medios para comprar uno. Así que, naturalmente, se fijaron en el anciano y lo etiquetaron como un visitante que no debía estar allí. Pero, ¿fue una decisión acertada?

Anciano Confundido

Los experimentados gerentes tenían un ojo entrenado, y podían reconocer fácilmente a un comprador potencial cuando lo veían. Por eso, cuando se abrieron las puertas del concesionario y entró un anciano encorvado que llevaba una pequeña bolsa de lona, el jefe de ventas perdió inmediatamente el interés. 

Este hombre no estaba allí para comprar un coche, pensaron. Probablemente se había confundido, pensando que era un supermercado o algo así. 

Fuera De Lo Común

Los vendedores se sorprendieron al ver el peculiar comportamiento del anciano. Se dirigió a la recepción y pidió a la recepcionista que vigilara su bolsa, que ella puso cuidadosamente en el suelo. 

A continuación, el anciano comenzó a examinar cuidadosamente los coches aparcados en la sala de exposiciones. Iba vestido con una camisa vaquera raída, unos pantalones holgados y un sombrero andrajoso. Un vendedor en particular observó al anciano, sin intentar siquiera ocultar su sonrisa maliciosa. No quiso esperar más antes de acercarse al viejo. 

Fuera De Sí

El vendedor estaba seguro de que el anciano era pobre y probablemente no estaba en sus cabales. Pensó que el hombre sólo venía a admirar los coches caros. 

El anciano examinó meticulosamente un coche tras otro hasta que finalmente se decidió por el más caro. Preguntó al vendedor por la cilindrada y si podía probarlo. El vendedor retrocedió visiblemente contrariado.

Intentando Deshacerse De Él

El vendedor, que ya estaba harto de ver al anciano, se acercó a él y le explicó con voz airada que el precio del coche había aumentado y que en realidad estaba reservado para otra persona. 

Sin embargo, el vehículo seguía teniendo una etiqueta con el precio. ¿No significa eso que el coche sigue en venta? El vendedor le sugirió al anciano que probara con un servicio de alquiler de coches usados. Pero Robert no cedió. 

Todo El Mundo Se Reía

En cuanto el vendedor sugirió el lugar de alquiler, todo el personal de ventas empezó a reírse. Sólo Richard, que acababa de empezar a trabajar, no se reía. 

Le daba pena el viejo, que parecía un pobre cordero rodeado de un rebaño de hienas malévolas. Incapaz de tolerar el comportamiento del otro vendedor, Richard se acercó y sugirió que al hombre se le debería dejar ver el coche. 

Una “Pérdida De Tiempo”

El vendedor no estaba dispuesto a ello. Mientras tanto, el anciano seguía de pie, esperando tranquilamente poder entrar al coche. 

“Mire, este coche cuesta 200.000 dólares. No veo cómo podría permitírselo”, le espetó el vendedor, mirando a Robert de arriba abajo con desprecio. “¡Si le dejase probarlo, eso me supondría una enorme pérdida de tiempo!”.  

Una Respuesta Tranquila

A Robert le sorprendió que le trataran así, pero, por desgracia, también estaba acostumbrado. Se levantó con calma y dijo: “¿Cómo sabe que no puedo pagarlo?”. Luego, volvió a pedir tranquilamente probar el coche. 

El vendedor se estaba frustrando visiblemente. Señaló el cartel de “Derecho de Admisión Reservado” sobre el mostrador de recepción. Pero Robert se negó a ceder.

Le Pidieron Que Se Fuera

“Llevo mucho tiempo en este negocio”, le espetó el vendedor. Puedo detectar a alguien que me va a hacer perder el tiempo a una milla de distancia. Su forma de vestir me dice que nunca podría permitirse este coche. Le voy a tener que pedir que se vaya”.

Sin embargo, el enfadado vendedor llamó a los de seguridad, que escoltaron al extraño Robert hasta la salida. El vendedor se alegró de haberse librado del viejo. Pero en realidad no fue así. 

Alejándose

Aunque estaba acostumbrado, el trato injusto casi le hizo llorar. Encorvado, comenzó a alejarse. En ese mismo momento, el administrador de la dirección vio la bolsa que había dejado el anciano. 

Sin querer tocar la mugrienta mochila, utilizó su pie para empujarla hacia la puerta. Los demás empleados se rieron al verlo, pero Richard ni siquiera sonrió.

Para Más Inri

En ese momento, entraron una mujer y una niña. Ella le dio a Robert un amplio margen al pasar por la puerta, como si quisiera evitar acercarse a él. 

Como si eso no fuera suficiente, se inclinó y fingió susurrarle algo a su hija: “Por eso tienes que seguir en la escuela. Si no, acabarás pobre y sucia como él”. Todo el piso estalló en carcajadas.

La Gota Que Colmó El Vaso

Robert se quedó helado. Se acabó. Había sido muy paciente y comprensivo, no sólo en ese momento, sino en tantas otras ocasiones. Ya no iba a quedarse callado.

“Disculpen”, dijo, tratando de que su postura fuera lo menos amenazante posible mientras miraba directamente a los ojos de todos, uno por uno. “Pero no he podido evitar escuchar lo que le ha dicho a su hija”.

Diciendo Las Cosas Claras

Robert había ignorado muchas faltas de respeto porque no valía la pena el esfuerzo de entrar en conflicto. Pero esta vez, no iba a quedarse callado. 

Esta iba a ser una lección de vida que nadie en el concesionario olvidaría. “Ser pobre no significa que alguien merezca que se hable de él de esa manera”, dijo con firmeza. Pero sus siguientes palabras hicieron que los ojos de todos se abrieran de par en par. 

Un Hombre Muy Trabajador

“Me dedico a la construcción”, dijo Robert. “Pero soy un hombre muy sucio y muy formado”. Explicó cómo no sólo tenía un título universitario, sino que también tenía algunos certificados médicos. 

“Aunque soy viejo, no he podido jubilarme porque tengo que pagar las facturas médicas de mi mujer”, dijo Robert. “¡Deberían darles vergüenza esos modales!” Pero no había terminado.

Abriendo La Bolsa

“Asumir que soy inculto y pobre sólo por mi apariencia es pura ignorancia. Pero, aunque fuera pobre, desempleado o sin hogar, no tienen ustedes derecho a juzgarme”. 

Robert se abalanzó con rabia para coger su bolsa del suelo. La abrió y mostró brevemente su contenido a la sala. Todos, incluido el maleducado vendedor, se quedaron completamente boquiabiertos.

Corriendo Detrás De Él

Con eso, Robert se dio la vuelta para salir. El vendedor, viendo en su mente la comisión que podría haber ganado con el coche, se apresuró a intentar convencerle de que hiciera la compra. 

Ahora, todos intentaban adularlo y disculparse. Robert sonrió. Pero ya había tenido suficiente, así que cogió su bolsa y salió directamente por la puerta. 

Siguiéndolo

El joven vendedor, Richard, fue tras él. Por suerte, el anciano no había llegado muy lejos. Avergonzado, se disculpó profusamente por el lamentable comportamiento de sus compañeros. 

El anciano sabía que Richard no había participado en nada de eso. Se limitó a sonreír y abrió su bolsa para mostrar el contenido al joven vendedor. Richard no podía creer lo que veían sus ojos. 

The Bag

The old man was mistaken for a homeless person, but there were bundles of 100-dollar bills inside his bag. Richard was intrigued and looked questioningly at Robert. 

The old man coughed and closed his bag. He then began his story. He introduced himself to the nice young salesman and proceeded to tell the tale of his lifetime. Richard was left speechless.

Hard Times

Robert told Richard that he’d worked hard all his life. Even though he was getting on in years, he still worked with his own hands. 

He had just come from a construction site – that was why he looked dirty and poor. Although he had earned good money, he hadn’t been able to retire because he had to look after his wife, Katie. 

Almost Bankrupt

Robert explained that his wife had been fighting cancer for several years and seemed to be losing the fight. 

Even though Robert and Katie hadn’t been poor by any means, the high cost of her chemotherapy over the years had almost bankrupted them. He had managed to keep them afloat, But that wasn’t enough. Robert wanted to do more for his wife. 

Last Wish

Realizing that the treatment wasn’t helping Katie anymore, Richard decided to fulfill his wife’s wish and buy her the car she’s always dreamed of driving. But he had to do it while she still had her mobility.

Unfortunately, by the time he had managed to save up enough money, the price of the car had increased substantially. He did not have enough money to buy the car he wanted. 

Resolve

Robert, determined to do this one last thing for his wife, sold all his possessions – including his gold wedding band. The last time Katie had seen the oncologist, he’d predicted that she only had around twelve more months to live. 

Robert was shattered. Although he barely had any money or possessions left now, what good would they do if his wife wouldn’t be with him anyway? But he had just learned that he was still short $5,000. 

A Salesman’s Resolve

When Richard found out how much money Robert needed, he got to thinking of a way to help. Richard knew that the car dealership could hardly afford such a discount. 

After escorting the old man, Richard went back to work. He couldn’t shake his thoughts of the old man and Katie’s dream. Later that evening, the young salesman found himself at the old man’s door. What could he have wanted?

The Help He Needed

Holding a bundle of cash in his hand, the young salesman told Robert that he had brought the cash he needed. He told him to buy his wife the car. 

Since he’d be the one selling Robert the car, he’d take the $5,000 from his commission. He quickly turned away and left before seeing the old man tear up. 

Revenge

The next day, Robert returned to the dealership. The salespeople could not understand how he could have changed so drastically. 

The old man was now wearing his business suit, and he was carrying the same canvas bag. The rude salesman, thinking he’d gotten a second chance, started fawning over him, even begging for him to buy the car. “No,” said Robert. “I want to work with Richard.”

Inside The Bag

The old man opened the bag and showed everyone the piles of money he had. The previously rude salesman was furious when Richard stepped out of his office. 

Robert didn’t hesitate and bought the car on the spot. He signed the paperwork with Richard, who would get the money he had given him back from the commission he deserved. Although it wasn’t the full amount, he was happy that he had helped Katie fulfill one of her dreams. 

Fulfilling Her Dream

Everyone at the dealership was green with envy – for missing out on the commission for the sale and because the man they’d treated badly could buy such an expensive car. Robert went home; he took his wife by the hand and led her out into the street, gesturing at her dream car. Katie was overwhelmed with joy. Finally, her lifetime dream had been fulfilled. 

But Robert’s story isn’t the only one that teaches us not to judge a book by its cover. One woman was horrified when she learned who the homeless man she saw every day really was.

Secret Letter

She looked down at the stained note crumpled in her hands. He had given it to her in a rush, something definitely wasn’t right. He had acted differently today.

As she unfolded the yellow paper, she couldn’t believe what it said. To think she had gotten so close to him every day on her way to work or that she had even offered him a simple bite to eat. Her pulse raced like an Olympic runner going for gold as she had to sit down. Her grip on reality was shattered.

Mary Aldrin

Mary Aldrin was a New York-born and raised. She knew that many people didn’t see the city the way she did. Many saw it as a dirty, dangerous place with a growing homeless problem.

But Mary did everything she could to help out others in need to show them that this city wasn’t all that bad, at least not to her. But the next person she would try to help would only be wasted on, she just didn’t know it yet.

Single Mother

She worked in hospitality and owned her very own bakery. It was enough to make ends meet and to support her child – Dominique. But with her daughter’s father out of the picture, it wasn’t always easy.

They had divorced right after she was born, and even though the child support cheques came in, she found they didn’t even cover her daughter’s education. But she had no idea that someone important would appear in her life without warning.

A Good Outlook

Mary still kept a good attitude even with the hardships in her life. She knew a lot of people in the city had it worse than her. Recently she noticed a man staring at her as she walked past him every day. 

He was clearly homeless but smiled at her through the dirt on his face. She could see a familiar spark in his eyes. Like he had hope even in his position. How could she stay pessimistic when he wasn’t? But she had no idea just who this man really was.

Trying To Talk

Mary walked to walk every day and decided to talk to the man. He seemed friendly enough, but not very talkative. There was a quality about him though, like the kind that she knew him from somewhere.

She chalked it up to his friendly face, which always felt familiar. But she was wrong. If only knew that she should have trusted her gut instinct about where she had seen him before.

An Extra Lunch

Mary knew what she had to do – she decided to pack an extra lunch for the day. One was for her daughter, and one was for the man. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a healthy salad roll with a slice of cheese.

She smiled to herself thinking she was doing the right thing. But she wished she hadn’t tried giving him the lunch bag once she learned the truth about his identity.

Trying To Give It To Him

She spotted him on her way to work and offered him the lunch bag. But without a word, he waved it away. Did he not want to accept this kind gesture?

She didn’t think too much of it while she lay in bed that night. But if only she knew the real reason why he didn’t accept her kind gesture. 

Strange Look

This morning Mary was running late for work so she was moving at a busier pace than usual. But as she got to the corner where she saw the cheerful homeless man every day she noticed something different.

He looked gravely concerned about something, almost on the verge of tears. What had happened? Then she saw a scrap of paper in his hand.

Crumpled Paper

He seemed distracted, he was looking around. Were they back again? It was clear that he was being watched, but what was the truth behind it all? 

She approached him to ask if he was alright but he wouldn’t say a word. All he did was hand her a crumpled piece of paper and nod. Something clearly wasn’t right and the piece of paper held the answers.

 The Rest Of The Day

Mary didn’t want to read the note while she was at work. But the entire day she couldn’t help but look down at her handbag where it was.

Questions raced through her mind. As soon as she got home after work she put her things down and pulled out the piece of paper. But what was written on it would turn her world upside down.

The Note

She felt her hands shake as she looked at the note in her hand. What could he have written inside a scrap of paper before handing it to her?

She had only been nice to him, were there things he was hiding that he couldn’t say out loud? Was he being watched?

Richard Gere

It turns out that the homeless man was actually Richard Gere! The note explained that he was shooting his new movie and that’s why he was dressed up as a homeless person.

She had no idea that the sweet man she walked past every day and even offered food was worth millions!

Time Out Of Mind

Gere was actually on set being filmed for his role as a homeless man that’s trying to fix his relationship with his daughter. The movie is called Time Out of Mind and is an American Drama.

His get-up must have been very convincing if it fooled Mary and probably many other New Yorkers.

Going Back

Mary went back to visit Gere after realizing who he really was. She understood that he couldn’t talk much to her because they must have been filming him for the movie. It was now obvious that he didn’t want to waste her precious food on him when he already had so much money.

She just smiled at him and to tell her he knew she knew she gave her a wink back. He had fooled many New Yorkers, but he let her in on the secret because of her kindness. 

An Experience

Mary felt touched and took it to heart. She knew that no one else would have an experience like that, especially with such a well-known actor! And on the set of his movie as well! 

She would still see him every time she walked to walk until one day he was gone. Presumably, they had gotten enough shots. She still thinks of him when she walks past that corner every day, with a smile on her face.