The Salesman

—————————

The streets of Memphis were packed with cars and tourists for some big event that had came to town. Steven Ackerman blinked and sighed. He’d just moved here from a small town in Alabama and had never been anywhere like this in his entire life. This was as many people as he’d ever seen in one place and he wasn’t so sure the move was the best idea.

Looking both ways, he decided this was his opportunity and darted across the street as quickly as he could without looking like a fool. He was already on the verge of running late to his brand new job opportunity. He looked at his watch and felt the anxiety increasing with every tick of the second hand. ‘I should’ve given myself more time in case things got tricky.’ He thought to himself.

—————————

Eleven minutes later he found himself standing in front of an abandoned building with a broken window and wooden planks nailed across the door, barring entrance. He stuffed his hand into his pocket and double checked the address. ‘842 South Willow’. This was it. The address was engraved into the old white stone above the door in faded golden letters. ‘Damn it.’ He cursed and sat down on the steps leading to the barred door and sat his backpack in front of him.

Steve was twenty two years old and had left his parents house after flunking out of college to move here. He’d been a good student at the local community college, but the girls distracted him. One girl led him into a small party scene and it was all down hill from there. He was forced to find a job and pay for his loans all by himself. He tried all the websites and apps, but in his small town the only jobs available were fast food spots and gas stations. After a few days of searching he received an email about a job from what he thought was a big supply company. Now, he’d have to crawl back home a failure if he didn’t do something fast. But, what? What could he possibly do? He’d already pre paid a hotel for two weeks and bought a cheap suit with his parents money. He was nearly broke with no leads or idea of what to do.

He sank into himself with his arms pressed against his forehead as he sat on the steps. He closed his eyes and tried to think. But, his thinking was interrupted by approaching footsteps. He lifted his head and pushed his black bangs from his view and saw a tall man in a black and red over coat with long white hair standing in front of him. He met his eyes and instantly noticed how clear and powerfully white they were. They had no color around the pupil and held a piercing yet friendly gaze. Never in his life had he seen a man like this and before he could utter a word the individual smiled a thin grin and spoke in such a very smooth voice.

“My name is Alredion Whist. I’m the owner of International Radiant. You must be Steven.” It took a few seconds for the words to make sense. Steven scrambled to his feet and smiled, outstretching his hand for potentially, his new boss. It was met with a pale and slender hand that was unusually cold to the touch. “Yes, sir. That’s me.” He replied while still holding a smile. Alredion nodded and took back his hand. “Good!” He said excitedly, flashing a brilliantly white smile. “Follow me, please.”

As he turned to walk up the street, Steven got a better look at the strange man. He had red boots that gleamed in the sunlight and were tucked under perfectly pressed black slacks of immaculate quality. The red and black over coat hung down to the backs of his knees and the tops of the shoulders had dark black fur that covered his neck. To to add to it all, the white hair was resting under a top hat of all things with a black and silver band around its base. Just who was this man? Steven thought as he followed behind and the only thing he could think was, well he’s my new boss.

—————————

Alredion Whist led Steven a few blocks away to a parking garage. Inside they entered an elevator and went down to the lowest floor which Steven noticed, was underground. He followed his boss through a large set of black doors that seemed to be impossibly heavy and thick and through those doors there was an expensive desk with two hallways leading on either side of the desk. A lovely young blond lady stood at the desk with a smile and a pleasant welcome to them both. Above her head was a sign and engraved in gold letters read, ‘International Radiant.’

They walked the left hallway and at the very end was another set of very large doors. The letters were engraved directly into the door, almost like a carving from a master worker. They read, ‘The Salesman.’

Steven entered the room. He felt strange about everything and a thought kept creeping from the back of his mind to leave. But, for a chance at success and employment he would push those feelings away and just continue.

In the room was an immaculate wooden desk. Steven was in awe at the intricate markings and carvings along its surface and edges. Tiny animals and objects had been cut into the wood’s surface. There was so many of them in so much detail that if Steven looked at the desk for months he felt he could still find new things to admire.

‘Do you like it?” The white haired Whist said.