Saturday night and the best of the auctioneer

It was the seventies. Times were young, and they were changing fast. There were new inventions, new trends and new toys. Evil Knieval was stunning everyone with his daredevil stunts. And the Rubik’s cube had taken the world by storm, which was an interesting twist.

Furthermore, in those days, there were very few screens. Mainly because they were either on the windows, or in the living room. One TV screen in the living room. And there were only cartoons on Saturday mornings. Additionally if an adult was using the screen, forget about it. As far as the adults were concerned, kids had the entire outside world for entertainment. TV was for grown ups.

Saturday Night

However, there was the occasional Saturday night that was far better than anything on a screen. For a kid. Adventure was the wide world in those days. Just about everything a kid could do, in that day and age, required imagination. Therefore, when it was an adventure with the grown ups, it was always a learning event.

In the first part of this story the adventure took place on a bus. Most people remember their grandparents because of their warmth and kindness. Grandparents already went through the test once. They are wise, and know things parents do not. Sometimes a Grandpa bus driver is also a Grandpa auctioneer. A real live, super fast talking, auctioneer.

The ability of an auctioneer to chant, or create a cadence with words that lead to a sale, is unique. Some are good at it, and others take to it like they were born for it. My bus driver Grandpa, was born for it. Because he made it look so easy. Furthermore, it was not his full time job. In fact, most times we saw him work his craft, he was filling in for the regular auctioneer.

Saturday Night and The Best of the Auctioneer

He had an amazing talent. And once again, his best partner was there with him. Grandma would help keep the bids organized, and write down the relevant info after something sold. And always before the auction there was talk. Sometimes about the circumstances of the neighbors, and how everyone was trying to help in their own way.

Occasionally, there was talk about someone auctioning off a particular item. This was when the talk would get quiet and a bit secretive. Therefore, as kids, we were hard wired to listen as closely as possible. Sometimes plans were made to set an item aside. Once we heard about a small glass dish being set aside. It was set aside with the exact money the owner was hoping for. Somehow they knew what was needed.

There were other things that went on behind the scenes.We were the grand kids of an auctioneer. Therefore, we had pretty awesome backstage passes. So to speak. Once, Grandpa the auctioneer, heard of a great deal and went for it. Without talking to Grandma. Now that was a very quiet, and icy, ride home.

The Auctioneer

Sometimes, during the auction, someone would come up and have a quiet talk with Grandma. Then, on the next break, Grandma would whisper some things to Grandpa. From there a special item might be prioritized. Other times Grandpa would disappear for a few minutes. We were the kids. Mostly we chilled, and stayed out of trouble, whenever possible.

It was one of those times that Grandpa was away. That is where the story takes a turn. It was unexpected. Not the absence. Grandpa often went and visited. This time though, it was an emergency. Things were about to get rough.

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