Ihr Lachen Geht In Betteln Über, Als Sie Erkennen, Wer Er Ist

Kein Verkauf

Der alte Mann betrat den Laden in bescheidener Kleidung und sprach mit gedämpfter Stimme. Er suchte nach Hilfe, wurde aber von einem aufdringlichen Verkäufer abgewiesen.

Sie machten ihm unfreundliche Bemerkungen und sagten ihm, es gebe dort nichts für ihn. Sie hatten keine Ahnung, dass der alte Mann die letzte Lacher ernten würde.

Ein Armee-Veteran   

Robert Jack war ein Veteran der US-amerikanischen Armee, der im Vietnamkrieg gedient hat. Die Jahre in der Armee haben ihn für immer gezeichnet, aber dank seiner Frau Katie hat er es geschafft, sich durchzuschlagen und ein glückliches Leben zu führen. 

In seinem letzten Lebensjahr sah sich Robert mit neuen Schwierigkeiten konfrontiert, und er tat alles, was in seiner Macht stand, um noch Hoffnung zu schöpfen. Aber würde das ausreichen?

Jahrzehnte Alte Liebe 

Robert und Katie sind seit Jahrzehnten verheiratet. Sie war seine Schulliebe, und seitdem sind sie verliebt. Mit zunehmendem Alter traten jedoch immer mehr Schwierigkeiten auf. Die Familie befand sich kürzlich in einer schwierigen Situation, wodurch sich der alte Mann verloren fühlte. 

An einem Tag ging er eine Weile spazieren und betrat schließlich ein elegantes Autohaus. Kaum war er eingetreten, starrten ihn alle an. Was hatte er dort zu suchen? Steckte er in einer medizinischen Krise und benötigte Hilfe?

Der Morgenverkauf 

An diesem Tag herrschte im Autohaus eine ungewöhnlich ruhige Atmosphäre. Die Verkaufsmitarbeiter hatten sich an dieses Phänomen gewöhnt und machten sich keine Sorgen. 

Das Personal sollte die Besucher identifizieren, die eines der im Geschäft ausgestellten Autos kaufen könnten. Die meisten Kunden kamen in das Autohaus, um sich die teuren Fahrzeuge anzuschauen, ohne die Absicht oder die finanziellen Mittel zu haben, eines zu erwerben. So fiel ihnen natürlich der alte Mann auf und sie stuften ihn schnell als Besucher ein, der dort nichts zu suchen hatte. Aber war das die richtige Entscheidung?

Verwirrter Alter Mann 

Die erfahrenen Manager hatten ein geschultes Auge und konnten einen potenziellen Käufer leicht erkennen, wenn man ihn sah. Als sich die Türen des Autohauses öffneten und eine Figur in einem schwarzen Mantel, mit einer kleinen Leinentasche in der Hand hereinkam, verlor der Verkaufsleiter sofort das Interesse. 

Dieser Mann war bestimmt nicht hier, um ein Auto zu erwerben. Vermutlich war er verwirrt und hielt es für einen Supermarkt.

Außergewöhnlich 

Die Verkäufer wunderten sich über das merkwürdige Verhalten des alten Mannes. Er ging zur Rezeption und bat die Empfangsdame, auf seine Tasche aufzupassen, die sie vorsichtig auf den Boden stellte. 

Dann begann der alte Mann, die in der Ausstellungshalle geparkten Autos genau zu begutachten. Er trug ein schäbiges Cowboyhemd, eine locker sitzende Hose und einen alten Hut, der eher unvorteilhaft aussah. Ein bestimmter Verkäufer beobachtete den alten Mann und versuchte nicht einmal, sein hämisches Lächeln zu verbergen. Er wollte sich nicht länger Zeit lassen, bis er sich dem alten Mann näherte. 

Der Ist Nicht Ganz Bei Trost

Der Verkäufer war sich sicher, dass der alte Mann arm war und wahrscheinlich den Verstand verloren hatte. Er dachte, der Mann käme nur, um die teuren Autos zu bewundern. Der alte Mann nahm ein Auto nach dem anderen unter die Lupe, bis er sich schließlich für das teuerste Auto entschied. Er fragte den Verkäufer nach dem Hubraum und ob er sich das Innere des Wagens ansehen könne. 

Der Verkäufer, der bereits genug von dem alten Mann hatte, der ihn so lange beobachtete, kam auf ihn zu und erklärte ihm mit wütender Stimme, dass der Preis des Wagens gestiegen ist und er eigentlich für jemand anderen reserviert sei. Das Fahrzeug ist aber immer noch mit einem Preisschild versehen. Bedeutet das nicht, dass der Wagen noch zu verkaufen ist? Der Verkäufer schlug dem alten Mann vor, es bei einer Gebrauchtwagenvermietung zu versuchen. Aber Robert wollte nicht darauf eingehen.

Alle Haben Gelacht 

Als der Verkäufer den Verleih vorschlug, lachten das gesamte Verkaufspersonal. Nur Richard, der neu in dem Unternehmen war, lachte nicht. Er hatte Mitleid mit dem alten Mann, der sich wie ein armes Lamm fühlte, umgeben von einer Herde böser Hyänen. Unfähig, das Verhalten des anderen Verkäufers zu tolerieren, trat Richard näher und schlug vor, dass der Mann sich das Auto ansehen sollte. 

Der Verkäufer ließ sich nicht darauf ein. In der Zwischenzeit stand der alte Mann weiter da und wartete in aller Ruhe darauf, das Innere des Wagens sehen zu können. Der wütende Verkäufer rief jedoch stattdessen den Sicherheitsdienst, der den seltsamen Käufer zum Ausgang begleitete. Der Verkäufer war froh, dass er den alten Mann losgeworden war. Aber das war eigentlich nicht der Fall.

Zu Tränen Gerührt 

Die ungerechte Behandlung trieb Robert die Tränen in die Augen. Gebeugt ging er davon. Im selben Moment sah die Verwaltungsleiterin die Tasche, die der alte Mann zurückgelassen hatte, und da sie sie nicht aufheben wollte, schob sie sie mit dem Fuß in Richtung Ausgang. Die anderen Mitarbeiter waren von dem Anblick amüsiert. 

Der junge Verkäufer, Richard, unterbrach den Spaß erneut. Er nahm plötzlich die Tasche und ging nach draußen. Zum Glück kam der ältere Mann nicht weit. Richard übergab die Tasche und entschuldigte sich für das unangemessene Verhalten seiner Kollegen. Der alte Mann öffnete seine Tasche und zeigte dem jungen Verkäufer den Inhalt. Richard konnte seinen Augen nicht trauen. 

Die Tasche 

Der alte Mann wurde fälschlicherweise für einen Obdachlosen gehalten, aber in seiner Tasche befanden sich Bündel von 100-Dollar-Scheinen. Richard war neugierig und sah den alten Mann mit einem fragenden Blick an. 

Der alte Mann hustete und schloss seine Tasche. Danach erzählte er seine Geschichte. Er stellte sich dem netten jungen Geschäftsmann vor und erzählte die Geschichte seines Lebens. Richard war sprachlos.

Sparen 

Der alte Mann sammelte Pappe und Flaschen, die er dann zu Recyclingzentren brachte. Robert sparte das ganze Geld, das er verdiente, weil er sich ein Auto kaufen wollte, von dem seine Frau Katie schon lange träumte. 

Seine Frau kämpfte seit mehreren Jahren gegen den Krebs und schien diesen Kampf zu verlieren. Um ihre Chemotherapie bezahlen zu können, mussten sie ihr Haus verkaufen und in einen Wohnwagen umziehen. Aber das war nicht genug. Robert wollte mehr für seine Frau tun.

Letzter Wunsch 

Nachdem der alte Mann bemerkt hatte, dass die Behandlung keine positive Wirkung zeigte, entschied er sich, seiner Frau den Wunsch nach einem neuen Auto zu erfüllen. 

Zu seinem Bedauern war der Preis für das Fahrzeug deutlich angestiegen, als der alte Mann nicht in der Lage gewesen war, genügend Geld zu sparen. Er konnte sich das gewünschte Auto nicht leisten. Richard, der junge Verkäufer, fand das ganz und gar nicht in Ordnung.

Die Entschlossenheit Eines Verkäufers 

Als Richard erfuhr, wie viel Geld der alte Mann benötigte, überlegte er, wie er ihm helfen konnte. Richard wusste, dass sich das Autohaus einen solchen Rabatt kaum leisten konnte. 

Nachdem er den alten Mann begleitet hatte, ging Richard wieder an die Arbeit. Die Gedanken an den alten Mann und Katies Traum gingen ihm nicht aus dem Kopf. Später am Abend fand sich der junge Verkäufer an der Tür des alten Mannes wieder. Was könnte er gewollt haben?

Die Hilfe, Die Er Benötigte 

Mit einem Bündel Bargeld in der Hand teilte der junge Verkäufer Robert mit, dass er den gesamten Betrag mitgebracht habe, den er benötige. Er sagte ihm, er solle seiner Frau das Auto kaufen. Er wandte sich schnell ab und ging, bevor er den alten Mann weinen sah. 

Am nächsten Tag kehrte Robert in das Autohaus zurück. Die Verkäufer konnten nicht verstehen, wie er sich so drastisch verändert haben konnte. Der alte Mann trug jetzt einen Geschäftsanzug und hatte dieselbe Segeltuchtasche dabei. Alle waren sprachlos, als er die Tasche öffnete.

Im Inneren Der Tasche 

Der alte Mann öffnete die Tasche und zeigte allen den beträchtlichen Geldbetrag, den er besaß. Als der Verkäufer das Geld sah, änderte er seine Haltung und begegnete Robert mit einem unterwürfigen Verhalten. Der alte Mann zögerte nicht und kaufte das Auto auf der Stelle. 

Alle Anwesenden waren neidisch auf den alten Mann, weil er sich ein so teures Auto leisten konnte. Er ging nach Hause, nahm seine Frau bei der Hand und führte sie auf die Straße hinaus, wobei er ihr das teure Auto zeigte. Katie war überwältigt vor Freude. Endlich hatte sie ihren Lebenstraum verwirklicht.

Not Staying Quiet

Robert had brushed off so many rude moments before because it wasn’t worth the effort of fighting back. But this time, he wasn’t going to stay quiet.

This was going to be a life lesson that nobody in the car dealership would forget. “Being poor doesn’t mean someone deserves to be talked about that way,” he said assertively. But his next words made everyone’s eyes widen.

A Hard-Working Man

“I’m in construction,” Robert said. “But I’m a very dirty, very educated man.” He explained how not only did he have a college degree, but he also had a few medical certificates.

“Even though I’m old, I haven’t been able to retire because I have to pay my wife’s medical bills,” Robert said. “Shame on all of you!” But he wasn’t done.

Opening The Bag

“Assuming that I’m uneducated and poor just because of my appearance is pure ignorance. But, even if I was poor, unemployed, or homeless, you don’t get the right to judge me.”

Robert angrily swooped to grab his bag off the floor. He opened it and briefly flashed its contents to the room. Everyone, including the rude salesman, was completely dumbfounded.

Scrambling After Him

With that, Robert turned to walk out. The salesman, seeing the commission he could have earned off the car in his mind, scrambled to try and convince him to make the sale.

Now, they were all trying to fawn over him and apologize. Robert smirked. He had had enough though, so he took his bag and walked straight out the door.

Following Him

The young salesman, Richard, went after him. Luckily, the elderly man hadn’t gotten far. Embarrassed, he apologized profusely for his colleagues’ appalling behavior.

The old man knew that Richard hadn’t been part of any of it. He just smirked and opened his bag to show the contents to the young salesman. Richard couldn’t believe his eyes.

The Bag

The old man was mistaken for a homeless person, but there were bundles of 100-dollar bills inside his bag. Richard was intrigued and looked questioningly at Robert.

The old man coughed and closed his bag. He then began his story. He introduced himself to the nice young salesman and proceeded to tell the tale of his lifetime. Richard was left speechless.

Hard Times

Robert told Richard that he’d worked hard all his life. Even though he was getting on in years, he still worked with his own hands.

He had just come from a construction site – that was why he looked dirty and poor. Although he had earned good money, he hadn’t been able to retire because he had to look after his wife, Katie.

Almost Bankrupt

Robert explained that his wife had been fighting cancer for several years and seemed to be losing the fight.

Even though Robert and Katie hadn’t been poor by any means, the high cost of her chemotherapy over the years had almost bankrupted them. He had managed to keep them afloat, But that wasn’t enough. Robert wanted to do more for his wife.

Last Wish

Realizing that the treatment wasn’t helping Katie anymore, Richard decided to fulfill his wife’s wish and buy her the car she’s always dreamed of driving. But he had to do it while she still had her mobility.

Unfortunately, by the time he had managed to save up enough money, the price of the car had increased substantially. He did not have enough money to buy the car he wanted.

Resolve

Robert, determined to do this one last thing for his wife, sold all his possessions – including his gold wedding band. The last time Katie had seen the oncologist, he’d predicted that she only had around twelve more months to live.

Robert was shattered. Although he barely had any money or possessions left now, what good would they do if his wife wouldn’t be with him anyway? But he had just learned that he was still short $5,000.

A Salesman’s Resolve

When Richard found out how much money Robert needed, he got to thinking of a way to help. Richard knew that the car dealership could hardly afford such a discount.

After escorting the old man, Richard went back to work. He couldn’t shake his thoughts of the old man and Katie’s dream. Later that evening, the young salesman found himself at the old man’s door. What could he have wanted?

The Help He Needed

Holding a bundle of cash in his hand, the young salesman told Robert that he had brought the cash he needed. He told him to buy his wife the car.

Since he’d be the one selling Robert the car, he’d take the $5,000 from his commission. He quickly turned away and left before seeing the old man tear up.

Revenge

The next day, Robert returned to the dealership. The salespeople could not understand how he could have changed so drastically.

The old man was now wearing his business suit, and he was carrying the same canvas bag. The rude salesman, thinking he’d gotten a second chance, started fawning over him, even begging for him to buy the car. “No,” said Robert. “I want to work with Richard.”

Inside The Bag

The old man opened the bag and showed everyone the piles of money he had. The previously rude salesman was furious when Richard stepped out of his office.

Robert didn’t hesitate and bought the car on the spot. He signed the paperwork with Richard, who would get the money he had given him back from the commission he deserved. Although it wasn’t the full amount, he was happy that he had helped Katie fulfill one of her dreams.

Fulfilling Her Dream

Everyone at the dealership was green with envy – for missing out on the commission for the sale and because the man they’d treated badly could buy such an expensive car. Robert went home, he took his wife by the hand, and led her out into the street, gesturing at her dream car. Katie was overwhelmed with joy. Finally, her lifetime dream had been fulfilled.

But Robert’s story isn’t the only one that teaches us not to judge a book by its cover. One woman was horrified when she learned who the homeless man she saw every day really was.

Secret Letter

She looked down at the stained note crumpled in her hands. He had given it to her in a rush, something definitely wasn’t right. He had acted differently today.

As she unfolded the yellow paper she couldn’t believe what it said. To think she had gotten so close to him every day on her way to work or that she had even offered him a simple bite to eat. Her pulse raced like an Olympic runner going for gold as she had to sit down. Her grip on reality was shattered.

Mary Aldrin

Mary Aldrin was a New York-born and raised. She knew that many people didn’t see the city the way she did. Many saw it as a dirty, dangerous place with a growing homeless problem.

But Mary did everything she could to help out others in need to show them that this city wasn’t all that bad, at least not to her. But the next person she would try to help would only be wasted on, she just didn’t know it yet.

Single Mother

She worked in hospitality and owned her very own bakery. It was enough to make ends meet and to support her child – Dominique. But with her daughter’s father out of the picture, it wasn’t always easy.

They had divorced right after she was born and even though the child support cheques came in, she found they didn’t even cover her daughter’s education. But she had no idea that someone important would appear in her life without warning.

A Good Outlook

Mary still kept a good attitude even with the hardships in her life. She knew a lot of people in the city had it worse than her. Recently she noticed a man staring at her as she walked past him every day.

He was clearly homeless but smiled at her through the dirt on his face. She could see a familiar spark in his eyes. Like he had hope even in his position. How could she stay pessimistic when he wasn’t? But she had no idea just who this man really was.

Trying To Talk

Mary walked to walk every day and decided to talk to the man. He seemed friendly enough, but not very talkative. There was a quality about him though, like the kind that she knew him from somewhere.

She chalked it up to his friendly face, which always felt familiar. But she was wrong. If only knew that she should have trusted her gut instinct about where she had seen him before.

An Extra Lunch

Mary knew what she had to do – she decided to pack an extra lunch for the day. One was for her daughter, and one was for the man. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a healthy salad roll with a slice of cheese.

She smiled to herself thinking she was doing the right thing. But she wished she hadn’t tried giving him the lunch bag once she learned the truth about his identity.

Trying To Give It To Him

She spotted him on her way to work and offered him the lunch bag. But without a word, he waved it away. Did he not want to accept this kind gesture?

She didn’t think too much of it while she lay in bed that night. But if only she knew the real reason why he didn’t accept her kind gesture.

Strange Look

This morning Mary was running late for work so she was moving at a busier pace than usual. But as she got to the corner where she saw the cheerful homeless man every day she noticed something different.

He looked gravely concerned about something, almost on the verge of tears. What had happened? Then she saw a scrap of paper in his hand.

Crumpled Paper

He seemed distracted, he was looking around. Were they back again? It was clear that he was being watched, but what was the truth behind it all?

She approached him to ask if he was alright but he wouldn’t say a word. All he did was hand her a crumpled piece of paper and nod. Something clearly wasn’t right and the piece of paper held the answers.

The Rest Of The Day

Mary didn’t want to read the note while she was at work. But the entire day she couldn’t help but look down at her handbag where it was.

Questions raced through her mind. As soon as she got home after work she put her things down and pulled out the piece of paper. But what was written on it would turn her world upside down.

The Note

She felt her hands shake as she looked at the note in her hand. What could he have written inside a scrap of paper before handing it to her?

She had only been nice to him, were there things he was hiding that he couldn’t say out loud? Was he being watched?

Richard Gere

It turns out that the homeless man was actually Richard Gere! The note explained that he was shooting his new movie and that’s why he was dressed up as a homeless person.

She had no idea that the sweet man she walked past every day and even offered food was worth millions!

Time Out Of Mind

Gere was actually on set being filmed for his role as a homeless man that’s trying to fix his relationship with his daughter. The movie is called Time Out of Mind and is an American Drama.

His get-up must have been very convincing if it fooled Mary and probably many other New Yorkers.

Going Back

Mary went back to visit Gere after realizing who he really was. She understood that he couldn’t talk much to her because they must have been filming him for the movie. It was now obvious that he didn’t want to waste her precious food on him when he already had so much money.

She just smiled at him and to tell her he knew she knew she gave her a wink back. He had fooled many New Yorkers, but he let her in on the secret because of her kindness.

An Experience

Mary felt touched and took it to heart. She knew that no one else would have an experience like that, especially with such a well-known actor! And on the set of his movie as well!

She would still see him every time she walked to walk until one day he was gone. Presumably, they had gotten enough shots. She still thinks of him when she walks past that corner every day, with a smile on her face.

In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.