Page 34 of Oz Wisdom

He maneuvered her away from the salesman, listening to her recall the salesperson’s spiel as he watched Mac move around the car then pop the hood.

The salesman scurried to Mac’s side reciting stats and maintenance.

"Is this the one you want?" Oz asked.

"I really like it,” she told him. "This one and the green two-door there.” She nodded toward a car two cars down from this one. "This one's more in my price range.”

"If you want it, we’ll make it happen. Trust Mac on this."

Taylor nodded. "Okay.”

“Let’s see what Mac thinks about it and we’ll go from there.” Oz told her as they moved closer to the car again.

"This the one the little lady has been discussing with you?” Mac asked.

"Yes sir." The salesman stepped forward running through the selling points of the car.

Mac continued examining the vehicle as if no one was following behind him talking. "Asking?"

The man quoted the same price Taylor had told Oz moments before.

"I bet." Mac shook his head moving from the engine to the interior. He checked the dash, the cosmetic details of the interior and the length of the seat belts. Finally, he stepped out and walked around the car. "It's been detailed well.”

"All our vehicles go through great inspection and detailed cleaning before they hit the lot,” the salesman boasted.

"Previous owners?"

"It came to us from out of state. The owner traded it in on something sportier."

"So, you're claiming to not be aware that this car has been flooded?”

"Floods do happen and we're all forced to drive through water around here at times."

"Most folks have enough sense not to drive through flood waters.” Mac tugged the seat belt as far as it would stretch. “This is not driving through a puddle. This is clearly sitting in flooded surroundings for an extended length of time. Not to mention the rust beginning to eat into the undercarriage.” Mac released the safety device allowing it to pop back into place and crossed his arms over his chest.

Oz stepped forward. “You were willing to put this young lady into a questionable vehicle just make a buck?"

The man fidgeted and scrubbed the back of his neck. "Sir, I'm just the salesman."

"A reliable salesperson should know every fact about what he's selling,” Oz stated.

"You’re correct. And I do apologize."

"I don't want an apology. I want her in a safe ride,” Oz told him. "Show us something you didn't pick up from the Tennessee flood a few months ago.”

The salesman turned scanning the car lot.

"What about this one?” Oz walked to the other car Taylor had mentioned. The one he knew she preferred.

"That's a one owner car. A woman traded it in on a new model.”

Oz went to work examining the interior while Mac did a quick mechanical run through. This one was clean and appeared to be what it seemed. Even the abandoned paperwork in the glove compartment confirmed its history. Oz stepped from the car and with a nod from Mac turned toward the salesman. "We'll take this one down the road."

"Oh, of course, sir. She runs smooth.”

Oz opened the door for Taylor to slide behind the wheel before jogging to the passenger side where Mac held open the door. He pulled to a halt and glared at Mac.

“You think I’m going to squeeze myself into that backseat?”

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