Lagerquist is standing right on the edge of Mark Norman's 24/7 Motorcycle Mall, waiting, when the man with the swords comes into view, striding down the sidewalk. A pedestrian is a peculiar sight in L.A., considerably more peculiar than a man with swords. But a welcome one. Anyone who drives out to a motorcycle dealership already has a car, by definition, so it's hard to give them a really hard sell. A pedestrian should be cake.
Scott Wilson Lagerquist!" the guy yells from fifty feet away and closing. "How you doing
Fabulous!" Scott says. A little off guard, maybe. Can't remember this guy's name, which is a problem. Where has he seen this guy before
It's great to see you!" Scott says, running forward and pumping the guy's hand. "I haven't seen you since, uh
Is Pinky here today?" the guy says.
Pinky
Yeah. Mark. Mark Norman. Pinky was his nickname back in college. I guess he probably doesn't like to be called that now that he's running, what, half a dozen dealerships, three McDonaldses, and a Holiday Inn, huh
I didn't know that Mr.Norman was into fast food also.
Yeah. He's got three franchises down around Long Beach. Owns them through a limited partnership, actually. Is he here today
No, he's on vacation.
Oh, yeah. In Corsica. The Ajaccio Hyatt. Room 543. That's right, I completely forgot about that.
Well, were you just stopping by to say hi, or
Nah. I was going to buy a motorcycle.
Oh. What kind of motorcycle were you looking for
One of the new Yamahas? With the new generation smartwheels
Scott grins manfully, trying to put the best face on the awful fact that he is about to reveal. "I know exactly the one you mean. But I'm sorry to tell you that we don't actually have one in stock today.
You don't
We don't. It's a brand-new model. Nobody has them.
You sure? Because you ordered one.
We did
Yeah. A month ago." Suddenly the guy cranes his neck, looks over Scott's shoulder down the boulevard. "Well, speak of the devil. Here it comes." A Yamaha semi is pulling into the truck entrance with a new shipment of motorcycles in the back.
It's on that truck," the guy says. "If you can give me one of your cards, I'll jot down the vehicle identification number on back so you can pull it off the truck for me.
This was a special order made by Mr.Norman
He claimed he was just ordering it as a display model, you know. But it sort of has my name on it.
Yes, sir. I understand totally.