Leo: so right. I distrust people who dress the part, because they are trying to sell something.

Two stories from this small town. In the ’80s this resource town lost it’s mill, railway yard, and probably the equivalent in two other operations. I said small town, 10,000. But there were 5 investment houses in this small town, some money carefully husbanded.

A fellow showed up with some money, bought a large house by the lake, started doing some development. He had a name similar to Rockefeller, or Morgan, sounded like money. Chase I think. He would tip very generously, show up in the restaurants and put on a show. He talked and dressed the part. He discretely put out the word that he could help people invest and be as successful as himself. A surprising number of people got suckered when he disappeared with the cash.

Two years ago a fellow showed up in town, wearing work clothes, work boots, jeans. Not designer, obviously had seen some dirt. He went to a real estate vendor, asked at the counter for someone to show him some property. A few agents peeked out at him and didn’t show, finally a junior, not even had a sale yet was told to serve the man. He asked to see commercial properties, ended up spending quite a few millions. He didn’t look the part.

We have a government agency that insists on calling us their clients. I say don’t call me that, because I have no choice but to deal with you, and if I did, I wouldn’t. I ain’t no client.

Derek