The show has gotten better every year because it is put on by the Chamber of Commerce with the input of several local artisans. This show caters to the artist--not with fancy unneeded amenities, but, by being around and helping out with problems. And this weekend, I really needed their help.
On Saturday afternoon a gal in her late 20's-early 30's came into my booth while it was pretty busy. I had Janis standing at the back of the booth chatting me when things slowed down. This gal started asking questions--kinda talking over the others I was helping--and prefacing everything with "Sweetie" and "Sweetheart". It was annoying, and I remember kinda rolling my eyes at Janis after the third time she did this.
She then asked me to break open a cello bag which I told her I would not do--but that I would see if the scents she wanted were in my back stock so I could make her a bag up special. Of course, I had neither scent she wanted. When I told her this, she insisted that I could break the bags just this once since she hated the two other scents and I told her that "NO" I wouldn't. First off, these items were $3, they were a "sampler" bag and I didn't charge anything for the packaging. So, as was her choice, she put the items down and left.
A few minutes later she back in the booth, shouting that I was mean and rude for not doing what she wanted. She ranted on and on for several minutes while I explained again the reasons that I would not do what she wanted, and that she of course didn't have to buy them but that it was my right to sell things as I wanted. Janis spoke up when she said she would tell everyone not to buy from me--Janis said she was the one being mean and that I was one of the nicest people she knew (thanks Janis!). Finally the gal must have talked herself out--but as she left I remember saying that she must be off her meds.
I quickly got on with selling but couldn't believe it when I was told that the gal was actually standing down near Janis' gallery screaming about the MEAN SOAPLADY and telling people not to buy from me. Janis confronted her again and the gal called her a bitch before Janis told her she was going to call the police if she didn't get control of herself and quit slandering me. About this time, the gal's mother started dragging her out of the show. They went past my booth on the othe side of the street and I remember her saying that she "had the right of free speech". I didn't know then that the fun was only just beginning.
Janis notified the local police and the Chamber about the incident and about this time the gal's mother came to my booth to apologize for her daughter. Turns out the gal has had a very rough couple of months--a boyfriend beat her, two near death auto accidents (one where her 6 year old daughter almost died), her Dad died--lots of bad things that resulted in her being checked in for observation in the local psych ward. The mother said she is trying to get her treated, but, this girl is a Harvard/MIT grad who is a doctoral candidate...so she is smart and probably is pretty good at getting her way. She apparently had not been told NO in sometime.
So, after digesting this the Mom told me that the girl was now missing--I told her that I just wanted her to stay away from my booth. As long as she did, I would not involve the police--but I called the gallery to get the local police number just in case. The police officer on duty stopped by the booth and gave me his cell number. About an hour later the girl passed in front of my booth yelling that she knew my "body guard" was watching my back (thanks Deputy Allen) and that she was going to get me kicked out of the show and then she made her way to the Chamber. She harassed them for a half hour before Todd and Allen showed up to calm her down--or escort her to jail.
The last I saw of her was when I was packing up for the night--the gal, her Mom and the little daughter were heading into Mulligan's for dinner. I ignored them, they ignored me so--no problem. For a while though I was thinking I would end up on the evening news with crazy lady stabbing me for not selling her what she wanted. In hind sight, I wish I had just given her both bags!!! Janis, me and her friends Greg, Eddie and Pearl went out for Mexican food and we split a big pitcher of margaritas. I really needed a drink that night!
The picture about is much more typical of my dealings at Jensen Beach. The old guy is Frank and the gorgeous little Chiq in dress is Missy. Missy is an alert dog--she lets Frank know when his blood sugar is getting low. Missy also does work at area nursing homes and hospitals--and believe me she dresses a lot better than I do. Her closet has over 100 outfits! She is very famous--I was picture number 101 for the day!!
The bottom line is that the show was down a bit, but, that we survived some stiff winds (about 18 mph both days, some rain, and strong 35 mph winds overnight), met some great people and ended up doing well for a show with a bad weather forecast. Thanks to all my friends there who helped me with the crazy lady and of course those who gave me a hard time for being the Mean SoapLady--you know who you are.
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