Notes From My Journal
EF and the Car
EF says he needs a new car. The one he has now is getting old, and he’s afraid it will soon be breaking down.
EF is one of the four full-time people that maintain Paradise Palms, the botanical garden I’m developing in West Delray Beach. He’s a good, skilled worker and he is a valuable part of our team. He can operate all the equipment: the tractors, backhoes, ditch diggers, etc. He’s also reliable, punctual, etc. He is married with two young children. His after-tax pay is nearly $50,000 a year.
“What sort of car are you thinking of?” I ask.
“A jeep,” he says.
“Wouldn’t an SUV be better for you and your family?”
“No. The jeep I want will be good.”
“What kind of jeep is that?” I ask.
He shows me an image. It looks like a military vehicle.
“Wow!” I say. “How much is it?”
“$150,000.”
“Dollars? US dollars?”
He nods.
I smile.
“Are you joking?” I ask.
He smiles back. “No, I’m not,” he says.
I’m still skeptical. I look at him sideways. “I didn’t even know it was possible to spend that much on a jeep,” I say.
“I found one,” he says,
To be continued…