Small Humiliations: Part XII / by Courtney Mehlhaff

A friend of mine once told me that she knew someone who worked at a company that rented moving equipment. One day, a guy came in wanting to rent a trailer. The guy behind the counter ran down some specs for him, and then asked what kind of vehicle he drove, since it would determine the maximum trailer size.

"I've got a Goolie," the customer said.

"A what?"

"A Goolie," he repeated.

"I'm . . . not exactly sure what that is."

"Well, it's right outside. Take a look if you want."

Confused, the clerk headed out to the parking lot and found a beat-up old car with part of the name worn off. The man drove a Pontiac 6000 LE.