Insurance salesmen and audiophiles
He knocked on my door as I was trying to tweek my tonearm setup. Tweek might be understating it since It seems like I'm always struggling with whether or not the darn thing is setup right. I've got books tools and jigs, confidence I'm short on though.
It was hot outside and he muttered something about selling insurance. I invited him in with the idea that he could have a moment out of the sun, and then I would send him on his way.
"Nice table." he said as he took a seat on the sofa. "Who makes it?"
"Sota, it's a Cosmos." I replied. I used these words as a guage to determine whether a self proclaimed audiophile or a vistor is worth his salt.
"That's a cool name, kinda mysterious sounding, almost poetic."
If people like the table, or the name they're alright. One guy I used to know a long time ago commented that the name made him want to sign up for the space shuttle.
"Pretty tough business, selling insurance, I mean."
He didn't look very tough.
"Would you like some water?"
"I certainly would." he answered with enthusiasm.
He drank his water and I replaced the bolts holding the arm board in place.
"Have you got any good music?"
Well, of course that got us started. He talked about music, jazz, classical, even some classic rock. "Have you ever heard of so and so... Oh yes, do you know about...?
"Have you ever heard Satchmo plays King Oliver?" he asked
"Have you ever drank single malt scotch?" I replied.
That led to spinning records and listening to any number of different things. We agreed that a person just couldn't find good music in the stores anymore, but we also talked about the new 45 rpm reissues of all kinds of great music. That led to a discussion about Music Direct and Analog Productions, and to drinking more scotch.
After a time te gentleman rose to go. I remembered that he came to sell insurance.
"Are you selling insurance?" I asked.
"Yes, from a special list. You're on it."
"That's alright," I said "I just bought insurance at the bank."
"That's what they told me." he said
