From the moving platform to the show cases was a ten foot stationary
floor, where the distributors and recipients were sitting on
comfortable seats and were being shown different articles and
negotiating transfers. As we were nearing a special display, Xora left
us sitting, and lightly stepped off the platform. During her absence,
Mr. Amony gave me some information.
"The attendants in our merchandising department are called merchandise
distributors, not salespeople. We have no high pressure employees.
Our distributive system is more simple than yours, which I have seen
through television. We do not advertise. We have no bargain sales or
substituting. Our attendants are courteous. The people they serve give
them courtesy in return.
"We try not to strain the patience of our distributors. We provide
comfortable seats for them. Your salespeople spend hours on their feet.
The high pressure selling methods induce nervous tension and fatigue.
They become old before their time.
"After the day's work is over, our distributors are not worried whether
they have sold the day's quota or have made a commission. They are not
afraid of losing their jobs or having their salaries reduced, because
of a shortage in merchandise. We have no shoplifters or detectives in
our stores."
By this time Xora had returned from her shopping. We thanked Mr. Amony
for his kind services and departed. As we approached the plane parking
ground, I suggested that we fly to the center lake, as I wanted very
much to hear the symphony orchestra which was playing about this time.
At the same time, I took her hand and held it firmly but very tenderly.
She blushed deeply, but her return pressure gave me my answer.
"Oh, yes," she said, "We can spend some time there and have our
afternoon tea." Hand in hand, we again took to the air. Soon we landed
in a secluded portion of the center parkway, near the center lake.
We were served tea with a large assortment of dainty little sandwiches,
cakes, fruits, and candies. The sweet soft music permeating the air
exalted me, and we were both wrapped in the exultation of our newly
found love.
My deep love for her made me more happy than I had ever been in my
life. I could hardly express what I wanted to say. But she seemed to
understand. She listened attentively, and when I started stammering,
she pressed my hand to encourage me. I was astonished that such a
wonderful girl could have any interest in a blundering person like me.
When I had finished, she answered, "I love you, too; I loved you the
first time I saw you on Mars.
"You must know that I watched you in our television when grandfather
took possession of your plane," she continued, "and I greatly admired
your actions and the way you carried yourself. It wasn't hard to grow
to love you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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