I had just received the call to go to a nearby house. It seems that the lady of the house was having problems with her heater and I needed to make some repairs. Of course it was always to get a call from a woman who was not likely to understand the first thing about her unit. I could almost always expect to make a killing.
I pulled up the house and knocked on the door. A pleasant looking older woman in her late 60's answered. She seemed real happy to greet me and relieved that someone would finally be able to help her. She showed me right to the basement, commenting on how big a man I am. At 6'3 and 250 pounds it was not uncommon for people to make comments about that. It came in real handy with men too. They tend to not question me about the work I do. I guess they fear angering me. Or maybe my size gives them extra confidence in my abilities. I can't say that makes any sense, but it seems some people think that way.
I got to the unit and realized quickly that it just needed some minor maintenance. Of course I explained that several parts would have to be replaced. I just happened to have them in my truck. In truth the job should have cost about $50.00. But replacing those parts would run it to $250.00. Not a bad couple hours work. She gave me the OK and I started the job.
After about 15 minutes I heard someone enter the home. There was some muffled conversation and then the cellar door opened. A man entered and came over to me. I didn't look at him at first, as I was in the middle of the job. When I did look, I saw a massively built older man. From his white hair, I'd guess his age somewhere in the late 60's. He was wearing a flannel shirt and impressively filled it out. I stood to greet him and realized that he stood a couple of inches taller than my 6'3". He extended a hand to shake, that looked to be the size of a catcher's mitt. It swallowed mine. He gave me a firm shake that told me I was in the presence of a powerful man. The shirt was long sleeved but it couldn't hide the thick fur swarming over his wrist and up the back of that hand.
I pulled up the house and knocked on the door. A pleasant looking older woman in her late 60's answered. She seemed real happy to greet me and relieved that someone would finally be able to help her. She showed me right to the basement, commenting on how big a man I am. At 6'3 and 250 pounds it was not uncommon for people to make comments about that. It came in real handy with men too. They tend to not question me about the work I do. I guess they fear angering me. Or maybe my size gives them extra confidence in my abilities. I can't say that makes any sense, but it seems some people think that way.
I got to the unit and realized quickly that it just needed some minor maintenance. Of course I explained that several parts would have to be replaced. I just happened to have them in my truck. In truth the job should have cost about $50.00. But replacing those parts would run it to $250.00. Not a bad couple hours work. She gave me the OK and I started the job.
After about 15 minutes I heard someone enter the home. There was some muffled conversation and then the cellar door opened. A man entered and came over to me. I didn't look at him at first, as I was in the middle of the job. When I did look, I saw a massively built older man. From his white hair, I'd guess his age somewhere in the late 60's. He was wearing a flannel shirt and impressively filled it out. I stood to greet him and realized that he stood a couple of inches taller than my 6'3". He extended a hand to shake, that looked to be the size of a catcher's mitt. It swallowed mine. He gave me a firm shake that told me I was in the presence of a powerful man. The shirt was long sleeved but it couldn't hide the thick fur swarming over his wrist and up the back of that hand.