The United States is known as a nation on wheels, and car dealerships are an indispensable part of urban development. Buying a car in America is hardly anything extraordinary. At the same time, competition among dealership agents is extremely fierce. When Hugo and Joseph walked into the dealership, they immediately noticed five people actively approaching them. Two of them, closer in distance, even had a slight physical clash, but to maintain a good impression in front of clients, it didn't escalate further.
Hugo saw this rare liveliness and suppressed a smile, glancing sideways at Joseph. "Is this a dealership you're familiar with?" After getting in the car earlier, Joseph hadn't said a word, driving straight toward this dealership. That single action clearly revealed Joseph's eagerness to buy a car, even if it wasn't a sports car but a van.
Joseph's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't respond to Hugo's teasing. Instead, he spoke to the first person who reached him, "I'm here to see Alfonso." The moment he said this, it was clear that all five people paused mid-step. Two turned decisively in different directions, while another two hesitated briefly before quickly approaching with looks of delight on their faces.
The person who had initially rushed forward stood disappointed in place and shouted, "Alfonso, someone's looking for you!" But he immediately saw the other two approaching, one after the other, exclaiming, "Hugo!" The man in front froze for a moment, then reacted, blurting out, "Hugo?"
Hugo's chances of being recognized on the street had once again increased, especially with The A Few Good Men currently screening. People always greeted him enthusiastically, expressing their admiration. It had been the same at the Motorola store just now, and now at the dealership as well.
Hugo smiled and greeted the three agents in front of him, shaking hands, embracing, and even chatting briefly about Demi Moore, before a burly man around Joseph's age interrupted. Joseph's face broke into a wide smile as he embraced the man, both patting each other's backs vigorously, expressing their joy physically.
The man who had just arrived was similar in height and build to Joseph, with thick curly hair and a dense beard that exuded strong Spanish charm. His expressive eyes held endless charisma. Joseph turned to Hugo and smiled, introducing him, "Afonso Lopez. A childhood friend I grew up playing with."
"You can call me Afonso," Afonso said warmly, giving Hugo a big smile.
Hugo, however, looked at Joseph and said teasingly, "I'm not so sure, Joseph?"
Before Joseph could respond, Afonso spoke directly, "Joe—you can call him Joe, or Joey." He patted Joseph's shoulder, his smile playful. It was clear that Afonso's personality was completely different from Joseph's. Compared to Joseph's cautious and careful nature, the enthusiastic Afonso immediately conveyed a friendly vibe.
Hugo glanced at Joseph, who looked slightly reserved and awkward. Though he had known Joseph for almost a year, and their relationship had gone from tense to relaxed to familiar, becoming good friends, they still weren't close confidants. Partly due to Joseph's personality, and partly because Hugo had been cautious after just arriving in this world.
"You're Spanish?" Hugo smiled, not taking up Afonso's lead.
Afonso nodded. "Of Spanish descent."
"How did you two meet?" Hugo asked. He had never noticed any Spanish traits in Joseph, though Houston, Joseph's hometown, did have many Spanish and Mexican residents.
"Don't you know Joe has half Spanish blood?" Afonso pointed at Joseph. "We've known each other since childhood, lived on the next street. You can ask me anything about him—I'll never keep secrets." Hugo wasn't sure if it was just his impression, but when he looked at Joseph, he did notice a hint of Spanish style, especially in those deep ice-blue eyes.
Joseph realized that if Afonso continued talking, his own situation might be exposed. This skill—being open and personable—is also why Afonso could become a dealership agent. So he quickly interjected, "We want to buy a multi-utility van. What can you recommend?"
"Oh, right, buying a car," Afonso responded, realizing Joseph had brought Hugo to the dealership, clearly not just for introductions. "Do you have a preferred model?"
Joseph glanced at Hugo, and after receiving a negative shake, said, "No, you choose."
Afonso nodded, walking ahead to lead the way, turning back to ask, "Do you have a price range?" He then pointed to a row of vans not far away. "Van demand has been steadily increasing. The price differences aren't huge. Fifteen to thirty will get you a very good vehicle."
Fifteen to thirty—that's fifteen thousand to thirty thousand dollars. If buying domestically, the price would rise at least twenty percent, or even double. But abroad, especially in the U.S., the price was much more reasonable.
"Show us a few options," Joseph said without further discussion, clearly trusting Afonso.
Afonso, not one to hesitate, promptly introduced three or four models to Joseph. One of them, the Renault Espace series, greatly pleased Hugo. With a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and monocoque body, it was stable and not easy to spin out. The interior was flexible, visibility excellent, and it offered many unique features. It was currently the best-selling model in Europe.
"Don't you want to test drive it?" After Joseph drove for two laps, Afonso, sitting in the passenger seat, asked Hugo in the second row.
Hugo, who had been enjoying the comfort and ease of the van, paused. "Uh, no, I don't want to." Then feeling it might sound inappropriate, he added, "I don't think it's necessary. If this car is used, it's mainly for work—the driver won't be me anyway."
Joseph, sitting in the driver's seat, suddenly remembered an important point. "Hugo, you haven't driven a car since your accident…"
Hugo hesitated, mumbling vaguely in response. Joseph and Afonso realized the matter didn't need to continue, and the car interior fell into sudden silence.
Hugo's previous self had been in a car accident last year, injuring his left knee. After that, he developed a psychological barrier. Several attempts to sit in the driver's seat failed because he couldn't overcome the fear, and his left knee would continually ache, forcing him to give up. Hugo himself, before crossing over, had also experienced a car accident. Although it hadn't caused serious injury, he had been hanging at the edge of a cliff, trembling as if he could fall at any moment. Since then, every time he drove, his breathing became tense and his hands sweaty, and over time, he simply stopped driving.
Joseph glanced at Hugo through the rearview mirror. Seeing Hugo's eyes shifting with some panic, he knew his suspicion was correct: Hugo still carried psychological pressure from the accident, making it impossible for him to sit behind the wheel again. Joseph couldn't help but let out a small sigh, and his excitement about buying a new car dimmed considerably.
Afonso, being an excellent dealership agent, was naturally perceptive. He withdrew his gaze from the rearview mirror and asked lightly, "Joe, are you going home for Christmas?"
"No, not this year," Joseph shook his head, then looked at Afonso deeply, as if conveying some unspoken message.
Having grown up together, Afonso understood immediately. It seemed the Thanksgiving issue hadn't been resolved. Although Joseph had never discussed it with him, his family knew all too well about these matters. Afonso pretended to be casual, saying, "I'm planning to go back. Do you want me to bring any messages for you?"
"Give them his cell number," Hugo interjected, having regained his composure. Since he wasn't sitting in the driver's seat, the fear of recalling those memories wasn't as strong, and he relaxed his tone.
As expected, Hugo's comment lightened the atmosphere. Afonso said excitedly, "You bought that brick?"
"It's not a brick anymore, and it's under six ounces," Hugo replied enthusiastically, discussing it with Afonso. Joseph focused on the test drive, steering the car back toward the dealership.
Once they arrived at the dealership, Hugo decided to purchase the vehicle: $31,995, much cheaper than expected. Hugo increasingly felt the positivity of being an actor. Two months ago, he had been a broke, unemployed drifter, but the successive successes of Scent of a Woman and A Few Good Men had dramatically changed his life. If he wished, buying a house now wouldn't be a problem—though not a mansion or villa, of course.
After signing a stack of contracts, Joseph discussed insurance matters with Afonso, while Hugo, unfamiliar with these details, stepped outside the dealership. He looked at the parking lot, where the vehicles were arranged neatly and colorful, with the morning sun casting a blazing warmth that softened the winter chill.
Looking down the avenue to the right, Hugo saw a group of people lingering in front of a graffiti wall. Their outfits were casual, some simple, some extravagant, some flamboyant, but they shared one thing in common: their instruments. In Hugo's view, there were four guitars, two basses, and two drum sets, all set up in a compact area. They stood there chatting leisurely, faces showing excitement, seemingly waiting for someone.
....
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