By Fleur Lind
The latest contribution from Rose City Writers, this week from FLEUR LIND…
‘The Name Game’
There was a new name to add to the in/out indicator hanging on the wall beside the year planner in the staffroom at Red Ribbon Real Estate & Rentals. When Teagan was hired as the new agent, replacing Betty who had moved north to care for her ailing mother. Apart from Betty, now departed for the coast, every other employee’s name started with T. The name game was good for a giggle over the morning coffee, as the staff rolled their eyes at the uncanny coincidence that every employee’s name started with T.
Tayla, on reception, sighed and told Tigana; Tig for short, that surely it was time for any other name than one starting with T, but she meant no offence intended to Teagan.
Troy, one of the senior partners, wondered how Tyler was going to manage with his stutter as he was struggling already with the alarming alliteration, without adding anymore Ts to the mix.
Timothy, who hated having his name shortened, just shrugged, not at all bothered by so many T’s. Tess, also a senior partner and Troy’s cousin, was ready to step in and be a good influence with helpful pointers on charm and etiquette. Tobias thought it was going to be hilarious when they had their traditional Friday Shout at afternoon tea. It was supposed to be alphabetical as to whose turn it was to do the eats and treats, but as the alphabet consisted of one letter, the remaining 25 letters being discarded, they had opted for a name drawn out Tayla’s straw hat. Trevor was the accountant and so long as the figures were in the black, he didn’t really care, and Tina was far too busy dealing with her most unwanted hot flushes, so another T name was the least of her troubles. She had felt empowered about turning 50, she had been ready to embrace a new decade and stage in her life, but her body had different ideas and was determined to give her desk fan a run for its money. Taylor frowned when the fan was turned on to Turbo, her paperwork would catch the breeze and fly off the reception desk, sailing across the room. Tina sorted the problem with a paperweight to keep tempers smooth.
Tayla made sure Teagan had all the necessary paperwork before taking a group of corporates to an older house with a sizeable property. The house had seen better days but had been given a major tweak with fresh paint, new furniture, plush trendy cushions on contemporary couches, throws of muted colours in bedrooms and flower arrangements in the halls. The kitchen was light and bright and one of the ghastly yellow windows by the front door had been replaced with clear glass and the rest of the window frontage was sparkling. The one yellow tinted window remained ‘for character’, according to the seller. The double garaging and potential to develop the large property was surely enough to seal a deal, Teagan hoped.
Being new to the area, Tig hadn’t bothered to fill Teagan in on how it had previously been tenanted by an unsavoury group whose income was generated by drug making and dealing. The cars would pull up outside the property like Waterloo Station. The customers were everyday people, some in well-cut suits, others looked streetwise in their jeans and hoodies. The price was right, and the deal was done. They never lingered; it wasn’t a social call.
As Teagan pulled up outside in her beige Holden, she waited for her clients to arrive, as arranged. Shortly afterward, a convoy of large corporate cars arrived, taking up the space in front of the property. After the meet and greet, she issued a flyer to each, and started with the house description and specs as they walked through the slightly rusted front gate. No one noticed the rust, after all there was a product on the market to rust a perfectly good paintjob, so the gate was on trend.
Inside, the features spoke for themselves. The corporates were taken by the colour blend that flowed through the house. It was a very liveable space and one they could see as a viable investment. After thorough inspection, they finished their viewing and after more discussion, they thanked Teagan for her personal approach to their needs and promised they would be in touch soon.
Teagan had a skip in her step as she walked back to the office after parking in the staff carpark. What a great way to start her new job. She was sure she would sell the house.
Back in the office, Tayla looked at her expectantly. “How did you go?”
Before Teagan could form her words, Troy came out of his office, with Tig closely behind. “So”, how did you go?”
“It was great. The house looks lovely, and the buyers were extremely impressed. We should hear from them later this afternoon.” Teagan beamed.
Well, that does sound promising! Well done!” Troy said in a fatherly tone.
Tig grinned. “That’s wonderful news! We want to hear all about it at the Friday Shout!”
Trev popped his head out of his office to see what the commotion was about. “So, you sold it, did you?”
“I might have, we’ll know this afternoon!” Teagan couldn’t hide her pride.
“Nice work!” Timothy added as he walked up to the reception desk with a steaming mug of tea.
“You’re a keeper!” Tess added in a matronly tone.
Teagan felt she had deployed her sales skills and an enthusiastic yet grounded effervescence, mixed in with empathy and intuition, while showing the corporate buyers through 128 Percival Place. She felt initiated and accepted; the Red Ribbon team had her back.
The Friday shout was a roaring success with the news of the sale as well as firm interest in another heritage listing, and a veritable smorgasbord to welcome to newbie to the Red Ribbon Team. She was indeed a keeper, even if her name did start with T.
