About 1993 we got a contract to build what was then the world's largest thermoformer to make pickup-truck bed liners. This beast was 43 feet wide and 10 feet wide. The sale price was $450,000 and it was double-ended with robotic loading and unloading. The machine was going to be shipped to Elkhart Indiana and the buyer sent us 33% to start construction and we began building. When the progress payment the second 33% was due the buyer came out with the check and wanted see the progress. He showed up with his "machine building expert to assist" us on the construction. It quickly became apparent that this guy didn't have the ability to put together an Ikea bookcase. He was as they say in Texas all hat and no cattle. We were nice to the blowheart and after three days they headed back to Indiana. Much to our relief.
Six or seven years later, I opened up a second shop in Elkhart. I was then married to a TWA flight attendant so I could fly for free and had rented a house in Elkhart and bought a diesel Chevy Suburban that could go through the snow like a Sherman tank. I was working on a Saturday and needed to buy a few bolts so I drove over to the local Home Depot. When I was checking out I paid by a check from the local bank in Elkhart. The checkout guy wanted to see "some ID" so I got out my driver's license which was from California. He, the clerk, wrote down my address and then commented that he had actually been in Long Beach years ago to buy a vacuum former. I had on a baseball cap and sunglasses. I took off the sunglasses and tilted the brim of my cap and we both recognized each other. He asked if I was still building machines and I said that I was. "Here in Elkhart" he asked? I told him that I had a second shop here in Elkhart because there was a concentration of about 300 machines within 100 miles due to the large concentration of RV and travel trailer builders in the area.
He sheepishly asked if I was hiring. Sheepishly because he apparently knew what an asshole he was when he was at my shop. I was tempted to tell him to go screw himself but quickly remembered to be kindly and told him not right now but to give me his phone number. Of course I tossed his number in the trash when I got back to the shop.
There but for the grace of God go I. There was nothing to get by belittling him. Besides I thought Karma already beat me to the punch.
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