Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Custom Furniture
"I like it generally. But I really need a combination desk and computer table that has space on both sides for paperwork. And I use a laptop, so I don’t need the pull-out keyboard table; I’d just like a space in the middle that’s a little lower, maybe about the height of the keyboard table. Can you do something like that? I know it sounds weird."
Lance mulled the customer’s request. It was Saturday, mid-afternoon; Lance and the customer were the only ones in the shop. The customer was a middle-aged man, athletic, with the air of someone who gets what he’s after. And Lance wanted a sale. The customer had started by saying he didn’t want junk and was willing to pay for what he got. But nothing Lance showed him had clicked. Lance was sure he’d seen the customer before in some other setting but couldn’t place him.
"We can try a special order," replied Lance. "That way you can get exactly what you want. I’d suggest oak, it wears well. I have a choice of finishes, too. Shall we draw out some plans?"
"How long would it take?"
"Special orders take about two weeks. I’ve worked with these people before. They’re good, but they want to take the time to do the job right. I like to work with them; they’ve always given me just what I’ve ordered."
The customer pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. He put on reading glasses. "The space I have is 75 inches wide, so you can go up to that, but I can’t go more than 28 inches deep. Can you put drawers on one side and a couple shelves on the other, and maybe a bookshelf on the top? And I need a hole for cords."
Lance took the piece of paper. He pulled out his pencil and sketched.
"Like this?"
The customer thought it through, looking first at the drawing and then at the computer tables in Lance’s inventory.
"It’ll work. You know, you’re the first person I’ve talked with that’s willing to order some custom furniture for me. Everything these days is take it or leave it. I’ll bet you get lots of people looking for your design services." He went back to studying the drawing.
Lance paused and did a double take. The customer didn’t notice Lance’s confusion. By the time the customer looked up, Lance’s face was one of resolve.
"I suppose I should advertise our capability more. I’m happy I could help. Would you like a price quote?"
"Sure. Now?"
"I can give you a rough estimate now, but I’d like a couple days so I can coordinate with my supplier. I want to give you a firm quote and a delivery date."
"No problem."
Lance’s heart was pounding. He hadn’t quoted custom furniture in over three years; he always sold from floor stock. But this customer seemed intent. Lance glanced around the store; they were still alone; it had been yet another slow day.
He steered the customer to the back and sat him down. Lance’s desk had a small sign that said "Manager." Lance felt it went over better than "Owner." He pulled out a pad of paper and a ruler.
"What name shall I put on this?"
"Davis Johnson."
Lance sat back. "I know you from somewhere. Do you teach at Park?"
The customer smiled. "All the students know me as Coach Johnson. I do track and boys soccer."
Lance smiled. "My son runs for you. Phillip Maceda."
Coach Johnson’s eyes lit up. "Ah yes, young Phillip. Very talented runner. Runs the 3200- meter event. That’s a grueling race! Two miles! I think he’s probably going to State this year. He didn’t have a good day yesterday, though."
"So I heard. I went to his first meet but my wife has gone to the rest. Phillip says I make him nervous."
Coach Johnson chuckled knowingly. "Yes, teenagers. You know, it’s because of Phillip I’m here. He put me on the right path for a new laptop a few months ago. I’ve been very pleased with it. I was talking with him about a combination desk and computer table and he said to come see you; he said I could get exactly what I wanted. I see he was right."
"That’s very nice of him. When did he tell you this? I’m just curious."
"Oh, we were talking Thursday morning."
"Thursday morning, huh. Hmmm…interesting. Well, let’s draw up these plans. Now a laptop isn’t all that wide, but sometimes it’s nice to put a mouse next to it…"