A slight change of color

April 17, 2006

Ben the salesman from the dealership called today to say that he had spoken with the US headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and that they had good news and bad news:

The good news: They could accomodate the July 17 pick-up date.
The bad news: They couldn't do black with ash upholstery in that timeframe. It had to be one of the following:

• Black with black upholstery
• Silver with ash upholstery
• Pewter with ash upholstery

I suggested that K might like silver since that's the color of the current car and the traditional color of the racing Mercedes Silver Arrows of the 1930s with the indomitable Manfred von Brauchitsch at the wheel.

K was not swayed by the historical connection. She still wanted the black. An instant message to our son N in Japan cleared things up quickly.

"Cool mom" he said"why black?"
"I don't know, I like it" she said.
" No mom. It would look like a hearse. Go with the silver. Besides black will attract a lot of heat" said the boy.
Eminently practical.
"You're right" she said "Thanks baby."
" Love you" she trilled.

Silver it was, with ash upholstery.

I called Ben and gave him the news. A man of this world, he took the news with equanimity and promised to get it all set up with M-B USA.