“There. Just right. Looks good, if I do say so myself. Better get those plants watered before customers start rushing in. Now, where’s that watering can?”
“Boy, that cotton looks just about ready to pick. And the peas’ll be ready by tomorrow. Hey, what’s that? No way! Git along, little boll!”
[Lookin’ good, Pete! On your mark. Get ready, get set, go!]
“Hey, Omera! Harold was sure you’d be the first to show up. I’m glad you got here before everything sold out. He said to show you these.”
“I got two new kinds of flower seeds in that look just up your alley. Gimme a minute. I know they’re here somewhere . . . Yep. That’s them. Whaddaya think?”
“Say, you wouldn’t mind sticking around for the first rush, would ya? I could use the help, and you’re so much better at answering questions about flowers and container gardening than I am. You know me. Strictly a food-in-the-ground guy. Can you see who that is coming ’round the corner?”
“Wow, they’re coming at us from both sides. Ground cherries? You bet we do. Omera’s pulling ’em out right now. Fresh for this year’s planting. Thanks, and tell your friends where you got ’em.” [Cha Ching]
“Bachelor’s Button seeds for sale! Get your fresh flower seeds right here! Straight from Pete’s garden to yours!” [Cha Ching] “Grow your own Victory garden. Just pop ’em in the ground and watch ’em grow. Got some great lima beans, too. Okra, Swiss Chard, Peppers, Tomatoes, you name it!” [Cha Ching]
“Flower seeds! Get your flower seeds here! Perfect if you only have a small container on your porch! Annuals and perennials! Pete’s got ’em all!” [Cha Ching] “Grow your own salad! Even a small patch in the ground will give you lots of fruit and vegetables! Calendula? Sure! Got it right here. Medicinal herbs and pickle seeds!” [Cha Ching]
“Of course, these seeds are all guaranteed to germinate! And what a variety! Pete’s got 123 different kinds, but there are even more available in the catalogue. Here, take one with your seeds and have a better look when you get home. Sure, you’ll find oodles in there that’ll be just perfect for container gardening. Once you’ve had a look-see through the book, just get a hold of Pete. He’ll take care of you!” [Cha Ching] “Tomatoes. And peppers. And Onions and Basil. Spaghetti sauce in a plot. (Get it, Omera? Spaghetti plot, spaghetti pot? Pretty funny, huh?) Oh, I’ve got beans all right. Bush or pole? Tell all your friends, but I’ll only be here today.” [Cha Ching]
“This has been really fun, Pete! Why don’t we get a little shop and do this all the time? You mean it?! Sure, I’d love to be partners! We make a great team, don’t we? Do what? Ha! Okay, I’ll lick all the little envelopes shut. Good partners are always there for each other. Wow! We really sold a lot of seeds today didn’t we? Can I help you tear this all down and put it away? Okay. Well, why don’t you talk to Eliot about finding a spot somewhere on the Island that could be just for us? Or maybe there’s room in the mall. Ooh! We’re going to have so much fun! I’m glad I was your first customer! Just wait’ll I tell my brother! You know, Fletcher will want to be part of this, too! I’ll have him find you, and you boys can work out all the details. Ooh! This is just like the end of Casablanca. You know, the old Bogart movie. Where it fades out as he says to Claude Rains, ‘I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.’ I know he says ‘friendship’, but we’re already friends. And your name isn’t Louis, anyway. Hey, someone’s coming. Seeds for sale! Flowers and veggies and you-name-it! We’ve got ’em all! Oh, I’m sure they’re here somewhere. My partner here will find that for you! Right, partner?” [Cha Ching, Cha Ching, Cha Ching]
“How are you with boll weevils?”
While the new partners make their plans and take care of their customers, we thought you’d like to see some of the packets that Pete and Omera will be selling in their new store at the Islandshire mall on Etsy Drive. Can’t find ’em any fresher!
