If you plan to get out there on Retail Road you best have a good audio book loaded , plenty of patience and a bit of Christmas spirit for your fellow man.
On what I hoped was my last excursion in search of white poinsettias, I was inching along when up ahead I spotted a school bus yellow, 2 seater, sporty coupe attempting to exit the dealership and merge into the chaos. For whatever quirky reason I decided to count the number of cars which aggressively guarded every inch of pavement preventing the 370Z from the merge. There wasn't much Fa la la la la la spirit on display as the lockout passed from defender to defender .
At some point in the observations I began to think about how unusual it was the driver wasn't being at all intrusive about asking for passage. No inch by inch encroachments, no horn blowing, no mid finger salutes. Often drivers of hot little responsive fizzy cars have personalities to match.There was no evidence of this. I eventually crept close enough to wave the roadster out of the lot and into the lane. The driver nodded acknowledgement but still did not move beyond the threshold 'tween lot and lane.
I began to study the driver. She was a surprise. An older woman, I'd say mid 60's, short efficient haircut, no visible jewelry, wearing a black turtleneck and a jacket of houndstooth. No sunglasses and well, sort of severely plain in her appearance. Like the stereotypes of old maid librarians. Not what you would expect to find behind the wheel of this bright, showy little car. I found myself wondering about this pairing;
Was she picking up for another?
Was she giving it as a Christmas present?
Was she the service manager test driving before releasing?
Was it her child's welcome home from Iraq surprise?
Was it a dream realized for which she had been saving?
Was she an automotive designer evaluating this car for her blog?
While those behind me honked their displeasure with my courtesy the Z slowly made the turn into
traffic. There was no frown of concentration, no hiccup in the release of clutch, just smooth egressing and a little ta-ta thank you wave from her fingertips. I found myself thinking, " Fizz ON!" In my heart I was hoping this sporty coupe was hers, a perfect representation of her tigress within. A nod to self from self with love! Maybe a present from one who knows she IS the kick ass, smart, savvy babe who should indeed be piloting a sleek, stylish, sporty, rocking little roadster.
