A seminar.
I wrote a short little thing about my character Wolfe again. This one earlier in date. I decided to make the setting a seminar. A place where people go to find hope, and gain experience. It should be a place for love, and care, which my character is. Caring.
I stood on my hind legs, front paws rested on the top of the podium. Feeling relieved with the audience I held, I bounded off the pedestal in an "Humph" and made my way to the audience floor. A man in front was looking around him. He wondered what this animal could do that he himself could not. It's just a wolf, thought the man. No- This is what I interpreted from his behavior; with the man's long scowl, and discerning eyes that he didn't believe in me. But he should.
I approach the man, who evidently looks at me, challenging. He shook himself of his thoughts and glares at me as I stand maw-to-face. "I have a scarf in my possession. I would like you to sell it to me as if you were my seller." I yank the scarf from around my neck off, and drop it onto the man's lap.
This won't be easy for him. The fabric is torn, the many years of experience with it. It's not even well-made. But you _can_sell it. It's all in your attitude. "You expect me to believe that from this, I can be a better merchant? Well, screw off."
I turn my head, puzzled. "Why would you leave without me even explaining a thing. I only asked you to sell it to me. Because you CAN sell it." I return to my stage, and exclaim my words of encouragement as he sets off to leave. "Everyone! Listen up. This is my first step to becoming a successful salesperson. Business is a virtue. Either it's good. Or it's bad. Most times, it'll be bad. BUT, the first step is your _ Attitude." _ The man stops, turns back in interest. "Attitude makes sales. Your speech, your body language, and even your own word against the quality of the merchandise. You could have the crappiest piece of garbage there is, and if you have the right attitude, it will be sold!"
One of the women in the audience raises their hand. "So it's okay to cheat your customers?" She asks cautiously. In a snarl I snap my jaws at her from the stage. "No! It is not okay to cheat your customers. Always treat them with kindness and respect. Always. Regardless of their history, their occupation, or lifestyle. DO NOT cheat your customers." The man who at first seemed reluctant to listen, like many others in the room, now looked on in genuine interest. "I have never once been unfair or unjust to a customer; though I always check the rising prices of goods in my storage, I always try to reason with them."
I prowl the oak wood stage, tracing the dark notches where the humans built it and fit the wood together. I stop, and look at someone else in the audience. He raises his hand, though why I looked at him before that was a mystery, I ask what it is he needs. "Humans. And animals." He says. "Humans can be sold, and animals as well. You are an animal, and you can be sold."
I stare at him, unabashed by his harsh words. "Indeed you could sell an animal. But, a person? You cannot do that. I myself have a private permit and license to avoid such shortcomings. It took 2 years, almost one sixth of my life, and I feel accomplished for it. But selling people; it is morally wrong to do that to a person. Bad or good, that would be a form of slavery, which I do not support." The man looks at me questioningly, as the other people in the lobby start turning heads towards him. He fidgets in his seat and sets out to leave, walking to the front door. I do not stop him.
I continue my lecture for several more hours, explaining the idea that "time is money", and that taking as many breaks as you can is bad. Even with no customers, you run a business. I even set up the idea that trading information with other merchants is also very important. The followers soon emptied there chairs, leaving me on the stage alone. I got my things, and collected the scarf the man had tossed away, setting off on the road and continuing my journey.