This Way To My Blog

This Way To My Blog

Friday, January 11, 2013

One Small Town Character

I have found that most small town characters don't work, they just hang around. This small town character works. He works out of his house and yard and is an air/conditioning/heating repairman. Our furnace has been on the blink for a few weeks now and we've survived with two electric heaters and of course the bath room heater. John won't call a company, he has been trying to connect with Small Town Character. Nothing wrong with being a STC or being different, I just find he and his wife interesting. I have never seen him in anything but overalls. His wife always wears a dress to the ground and her hair up in a grandma knot even though they are not as old as we are. The repair truck is rusty from top to bottom but apparantly runs fine as he has been driving it for as long as I have known them. She drives a big old car, the kind that seems to be encased in a lot of heavy metal and would guzzle gas. They live in a old house that has character like they do. They have trails through between stacks of books. Their back yard has probably every spare part he has ever taken off a piece of equipment. I'm sure he thinks he may need them someday and he may. Their method of billing is strange. When he finishes a repair job and John ask how much he owes, STC says well we will see if it keeps working first. John has owed him for about three service calls for about two years and tells him to send a bill, but he doesn't. He had our furnace working in less then an hour but still woudn't produce a bill. He said I want to check it again in a week. John said then I want to pay you all I owe you from service calls in the past. He said okay. Another thing everytime he comes he teases about eating with us what ever meal is near. Today I told John go get a pizza or some breakfast tacos and have him eat with you. STC refused, said his wife will have his lunch ready when he gets home. You might say bake them some cookies. I don't think they eat anything like that. He does repairs at some  businesses. I wonder if he sends them a bill. Maybe he is rich man and just works as a hobby and at being a Small Town Character.

7 comments:

jack69 said...

I Know the guy!!!!!! LOL I love the house description, I want to move in with them, on second thought, Sherry wouldn't come!!! LOL

Great story Love it.
I had a surveyor like that. I would pin him down at the end of the job and start writing the check, and he would have to give me a price.
I found out he was like that about paying to, from friends who had done work for him. He just didn't care if he got paid or if he PAID. As you know that is a big differences. I like your guy better....((HUGS)) glad you got your schedule back...

Jon said...

I really got a kick out of reading this - probably because I can strongly identify with quirky people (and I'm probably somewhat of one myself.....).

Jill said...

I LOVE hearing stories like this. There are characters whereever we go but we don't always take the time to notice. Thanks for sharing this!

Martha said...

Wow, how interesting! Too bad the big companies aren't concerned about doing things right and making sure they work before billing - but not billing at all? Very different!

TexWisGirl said...

he sounds quite generous with his time. i like good characters. :)

Chatty Crone said...

You said you couldn't get in touch with him - I hope he is okay.

Ever see the really old movie called Magnificent Obsession? Sounds just like it.

Dar said...

Sounds like a wonderful kind of Character...rather unique. I don't think I know anyone who didn't want to get paid. He must just love the social interaction that a job well done gives.
Loved this entry...and the trails between books...what a read.
Blessings