8 / JULY 2022 PRIME
Old guys and freebies By Jim Drummond
W
ith a thunderstorm in the forecast, the old guy waterhole was nearly at capacity this week. One of the latecomers strode in holding a large tote bag with an accounting firm logo on the side. As he sat down, he placed the overfilled tote on his lap and began to search inside the bag with both hands. Occasionally he would retrieve
a small object, inspect it with interest, then return it to the bag. Somebody finally asked, “What do you have in the sack?” The old gent responded, “I stopped by the trade show today. The vendors all had great free items, so I loaded up.” Someone else inquired, “Are you going to be doing some
remodeling?” Our friend responded, “Nope, I attend the shows for the free swag.” Another fellow commented, “That’s why I always stop at the bank. This morning I picked up three free pens, a pad of sticky notes, a calendar, a sucker, and a doggie biscuit.”
Somebody said, “I didn’t know that you have a dog.” The first fellow replied, “I don’t, but the doggie treat was free.” The trade show attendee doing bag inventory suddenly brightened, “Wow, look at this! It’s a tape measure with a builtin level, and it has a nail puller on one end. I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t believe
