THE ADVENTURES OF MR. NICE GUY
(Based on partly true events in the life of a free-lance advertising consultant in Palm Beach County)

Mr. Nice Guy Sees the Bright Side

Mr. Nice Guy was back in town. His attitude was good and his mind was clear, but money was short and his car was old, flabby, and easily discouraged.
   "The economy is bad," the car grumbled. "This is no time to look for new clients."
   "We'll find smart businessmen who need us," Mr. Nice Guy responded.
   "Don't make me go on Military Trail," the old car sniffed.
   Mr. Nice Guy stomped on the accelerator and the old car limped out into Military Trail. A Cadillac, a mud-caked high-wheeled pick-up truck and two stuck up BMW's braided a fancy pattern around the old chugger in traffic.
   Later, by the time the hot sun had settled in the western horizon, Mr. Nice Guy had received a mumbled "come back next quarter" from an upscale body shop he had been romancing for two years, a promise of lots of work but no sure pay from a software company having a hard time beached in West Palm, threat of a knuckle sandwich from a new restaurant that, in the words of the owner, was depending strictly on "mouth-to-mouth" advertising, and a lecture on the meaning of signs from a security guard who politely ejected him from an office building where soliciting was discouraged in dignified, gold-leaf, Old English signage.
   "Words in all Old English capitals are illegible," Mr. Nice Guy offered in cheery, free consultation. But the security officer already knew everything he needed for his life.
   At least that day Mr. Nice Guy had managed to pull 15 column inches of print ads from his old hip-pocket topless bar account on condition he guarantee maximum exposure.
   "We can buy gasoline tomorrow," he said to the car.
   "Only five dollars," the car complained.
   "And a can of tuna tails for the cat," Mr. Nice Guy mused, pleased with not a bad day's work, considering.

(To be continued)

Metro-Glamour Magazine

Fiction

A Paper Movie

The Christmas Story

Mr. Nice Guy's Nice Luck

The Plumber's Radio Show

Mr. Nice Guy's Nice Design

Mr. Nice Guy's Nice Account

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