"There are some, but I thought you wouldn't be one of them!"
He spoke admiringly, stressing the "you." Sales resistance faded to
nothing if the seller, while convincing the buyer that he was much to be
admired, could at the same time build up the buyer's opinion of himself.
Like a good showman, Jeff had saved his masterpiece for last. He
unwrapped the parcel to reveal a cheap box whose exterior was stamped
with gaudy green dragons. Pete regarded it with narrowed eyes.
"This," Jeff said smoothly, "I offer to very few customers. Now if
you'll just keep your eye on the box--"
Pete obliged, bending so closely that his face was no more than six
inches from the box. Jeff pressed a button. The lid flew open and a
green bellows surmounted by a grinning clown's head sprang up to hit
Pete on the nose. He leaped backward, flung himself from the table and
crouched. Again Jeff thought of an animal. But this time it was a beast
of prey. And it was ready to strike.
The jack that had leaped out of the box quivered on the table, swaying
this way and that. Completely astounded, Pete regarded it for a moment.
Then sheer delight flooded his eyes.
"I swan!"