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No One's Here, We're Gone!
Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Ugly Otter was on a buying trip by himself. For some reason not remembered Beautiful Wife had stayed home to tend to something important, so the ‘ol Ugly was out on his own. (It's scary when he is out on his own)
The Ugly Otter had driven a few hundred miles that day, and had spent most of the day in and around the Navajo Reservation. He had had a good day, but it was getting late. He did want to purchase some more nice jewelry before heading back home, so he took a chance of finding more good items that late in the evening and drove 40 miles or so on down to the Zuni Pueblo.
Upon arriving at the Zuni Pueblo around sundown , Ugly did find one shop that was still open, and it was a favorite stopping place for him. So, in he went. The owner was there, happy to see the Otter, as instinct told him that probably several thousand dollars might yet cross his palms that evening! He said that it had been a slow day so far.
We got down to business. Haggle over this and that piece, lay it in the pile, and start all over again on another piece. We were so busy trying to bargain and outwit each other that we did not notice that it had become totally dark outside.
We also did not remember that we two were alone amongst a fortune of jewelry with the front door still open and unlocked, dark outside, no traffic on the street, and really quite at risk, had we stopped to think about it.
After an hour of so of bargaining, in walked a stranger who looked sorta rough and obviously was in a celebratory mood. He kinda startled us, as we were not expecting anyone to come in, and at that minute we both realized we should have at least closed and locked the front door!
The stranger walked over to the owner and told him he was broke, and needed a few dollars until "tomorrow". Not wanting to insult the guy, and maybe start some rough stuff, the owner was quick in his thinking and said:
"Gee, if we were here, I would be glad to loan you some money until tomorrow. But we’re not here now. We went home hours ago. Don’t you see the lights are out? Don’t you see the front door is locked? No one is here! Our cars are not outside. Please remember to come back tomorrow when someone is here, and we will be glad to loan you some money."
The fellow looked around and said: "No, I did not notice the lights were out. I did not notice the door was locked. I do not see you now, as I know you are not here. My apologies for asking for a loan from someone who is not here. I will come back tomorrow as you suggest and maybe you will be here then."
He turned and left. We locked the door. We concluded our business in peace! I drove home thinking we were lucky. We had let our guard down, and could have ended up in real trouble. We have been more careful since, and I know the shop owner is more diligent with his front door! I’ve been told that now he truly leaves (and locks the door, and turns out the lights) about sundown each day!
Another true story from the life and times of the Ugly Otter.
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