we think it's going to be real soon

i ask a salesman,

Biff,

at the dealership when my car

might be

coming in.

i put a thousand dollars

down to get on a list.

the phone goes silent,

but i can hear

him mumbling

to someone.

he says, oh no, what

do we tell him,

it's another one asking questions

about cars.

he clears his throat

and says

with confidence,

soon, very soon.

but we thank you for your

patience.

when? i ask.

when?

oh, by the end of the

month for sure,

or next month,

or next year.

we had that covid thing

you know.

it sort of put

a monkey wrench into

car production.

plus the war,

and oil prices,

monkey pox,

and the avian bird flu.

why are you even open

for business

i ask him if you don't even

have any cars?

it's like asking pizza hut

for a pizza

and they're out of dough.

or

the paint store not having

paint.

or

the donut shop not having

donuts.

isn't there a number you can

call to find out?

nah. 

it's been disconnected.