Sales Subway Saga

by: Wyeth Killip

This blog includes the following topics: Heat wave 2010, walking 4 miles in Manhattan, sweat soaked wool suit, heat exhaustion, being held hostage on the subway, and an express train to Jamaica.

***Warning ***Read only if you too have had a bizarre sales experience or are seeking pure entertainment.

It all began yesterday morning as I stepped out of my apartment on my way to a networking meeting.  As many of you know we are experiencing the Heat Wave of 2010, with record-breaking triple digit temperatures. I am welcomed to the day of sales calls with a brisk 93 degree blast of refreshing air. I immediately begin sweating uncontrollably as I begin my 15 block walk to the meeting. With only two blocks to go, I nearly pass out from heat exhaustion but I pull it together and make it to the meeting.

The meeting ended up running late and I frantically make my way cross-town to our office. I manage to have just enough time to print materials for my lunch meeting and I am out the door again to catch the subway. I was supposed to meet my prospect in the financial district only to find out once I arrived at our predetermined location that she had accidentally missed the stop and was now in Brooklyn. Half an hour goes by and the next thing I know she is at the canal street station and we have decided to meet each other half way in between on Broadway.  At this point I have already walked two miles in the heat in a wool suit so what’s another mile tossed on. We finally have a great lunch meeting and I am on my way back to the office.

I board the train and the doors begin to shut. The next thing I know there is a man standing in the door way holding the doors open with a peculiar look on his face.  The doors attempt to close several times and he continues to stand in the way. People start yelling for him to either get on or off the train. He refuses to listen to anyone except for “the girl in the green shirt” who has never met him before and has no idea what is going on. Over the intercom the conductor asks everyone to stand clear of the doors so we can depart but the man won’t budge.  The conductor arrives to inspect the situation and tries to negotiate with the man. Nothing works so the conductor announces that the train is suspended and shuts down the train. Hundreds of people pour out onto the platform as the air conditioners shut off. At this point people are going crazy, yelling, and pushing to see what is going on. Chaos ensues as the man takes our train hostage and won’t let anyone on or off the train. Meanwhile the conductor calls the cops. 20 minutes go by and several people attempt to reason with him, but he is only yelling to an imaginary figure “John Nash, John Nash, John Nash!” Clearly something wasn’t right with this picture.  Finally the cops show up and haul him away and everyone boards the train and we are on our way.

I arrive back at the office to regroup and get ready for my last appointment of the day. I catch the uptown train to 59th and Lex and have a great meeting with a prospect. The meeting lasts till about 5:30 and I decide I’ll take the subway back to the office. I jump on the train and confirm from the sign above that I am on the right train, doors shut and I sit down only to realize that the train is now moving in the wrong direction. Great…I am now on the express train to Queens. I ride 15 minutes to the next stop, board the train across the platform only to realize I am now on the express train to Jamaica. Another 15 minutes rolls by and I switch trains to ride another half hour back to Manhattan.  I finally arrive home at 7:00 and call it a day. Needless to say it was a crazy day but it wouldn’t be “Sales” without a little excitement and a bizarre twist along the way.

If you too have had crazy days in “Sales” feel free to share your story.