1:30pm: Wandering aimlessly, adrift in a crowd flowing down a sea of color, suit and ties, pretty girls, and hawking salesmen. Where's Pete??!!

2:00pm: Found him. Some kind of Wheel of Fortune game. A pretty girl on either arm. Pens in both hands. We escape in nick of time. I think someone is chasing us through crowd, but I'm afraid to look back.

2:30pm: My arms feel like lead. I notice large bulging bags attached to both hands. Bags filled with sample products, PVC glue, sprinklers, miniature lawn mowers, brochures, pens, badges, lei's, and business cards. Pete has bags in either hand also. Filled with contracts, promissory notes, credit applications, and delivery dates.

3:17pm: My putting is off. I take four strokes to sink a par three hole. Where am I? Oh, another contest.

4:25pm: I am nodding my head in agreement. An engine roars to life. I nod again. My hands are firmly stuffed in my pockets. Someone is tugging on my arm. My hands are slipping. A pen is wavering in front of my face. PETE! PETE!! Pete is pulling me away. What's this? Pete is pulling ME away? A salesman in background is raving and waving a credit report at Pete. Pete is hustling me toward door.

4:45pm: We are nearing exit. Behind me I hear many people shouting Pete's name. Sounds like a stampede. I don't look back. No pillar's of salt for me.

4:55pm: We pass Information booth on way out. I notice "Just Looking" buttons being offered. Why now? I think I missed most important booth.

5:00pm: We reach truck. With great effort we load our bags into back. It's now full. Pete mentions that this was best landscaping trade show that we have ever attended. Landscaping? We're plumbers!

THE OUTCOME

Joe Friday finishes landscaping trade school he signed up for and receives his license. His new truck and equipment arrives. He sells his plumbing business. A year later he is rich.

Pete Gannon changes his name, social security number, and driver's license. He gets a job at a bank as a loan representative.

NOTES:

The names have been changed to protect innocent.

__________________________________________

About Author:

Henry Siegel is a Contributing Writer for ProGardenBiz Magazine, an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.

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