28 year old Harry Sanborn was just an average guy, who had an average job, who wore average clothes, and had an average haircut. Harry’s job was walking dogs. Day in and day out he went to the same customers to take their dogs for a walk. Harry didn’t get paid much, so he lived in an average one bedroom apartment. Harry often dreamed of living in a real house, but a one bedroom apartment was all Harry could afford.
One day, when Harry was on his way out the door to walk the first dog for the day, the phone rang. The caller was his landlord, “Mr. Sanborn, I have noticed that you haven’t paid your rent of $700 this month.” Harry replied, “Well sir, it is the holidays, and business is a little slower because people are gone an awful lot and do not want their dog walked while they aren’t there. So I haven’t been bringing in the money I normally bring in.”
“I understand that the holidays can sometimes be hard, but I need the rent by the end of next week.” Harry responded, “Oh sir, please can I have until next month?” “No”, said Mr. Fairweather, “Mr. Sanborn, I’m sorry, but if you do not pay by the end of the week, I shall have to force you to leave.” “But Mr. Fairweather, please!” There was no response; the landlord had hung up. “Oh dear, what am I going to do.”
Harry then decided to try to scrounge up some money to put an ad in the paper for the next couple of days. Harry saved every penny to advertise. Then came D-day, when the ad was to be put out. Harry waited and waited in his average, 1 bedroom apartment. The next day drearily rolled around, but still no calls. Then, the next day, when Harry was just about to give up, he was in the bathroom and almost didn’t hear it, the telephone rang. Harry jumped up the can and ran to the phone as quickly as possible.
Exasperated when Harry got to the phone, on the other end of the phone, Harry heard a gruff sounding voice. The man asked, “I understand you walk dogs, is that correct?” “Yes sir, it is,” replied the skeptical and out of breath Mr. Sanborn. “How can I help you?” The gruff voice replied, “I work for a man that has a dog, and my employer needs his dog to be walked this week while my employer is away.” “Well sir, how much are you willing to pay per day?” replied Mr. Sanborn. The man answered, “$2,000 for the week is that enough?”
Harry was flabbergasted, “Why sir, that would be wonderful! You have no idea how great of news this is. When would you like me to start?” “Tomorrow,” the man answered. “Sure thing sir, what is your address?” The man replied, “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.” Without realizing who lived there, Harry quickly replied, “I will be there at 8:00 A.M. tomorrow morning!” After they both hung up, Harry thought to himself, “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that’s the white house! I can’t believe I’m going to walk the president’s dog!”
Harry arrived at the gigantic 2 story heavily guarded white mansion, and pulled up to the guard house. The guard, in his I-could-care-less-about-being-here-but-I’m-getting-paid-to-do-it gruff attitude, said to Harry, “Name.” “Harry Sanborn, the dog walker,” replied Harry, in his usual friendly nature. “Drive up to the front door and you will receive additional instructions there.” Harry nodded and drove on around to the front, and began his journey.
When that week was over, a man from the white house paid Harry the agreed $2,000 for the week. When Harry went to his landlord with the money, the landlord was astounded; for Harry, whom the landlord had thought wouldn’t be able to pay the rent, had come up with the money. Oh what a joyous day this is for Harry Sanborn, just an average guy, who had an average job, wore average clothes, and had an average haircut.
READER'S REVIEWS (4) DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.
"Great story, Ben!" -- GraceS.
"Nice job, Ben! I'd like to hear what he had to go through with those dogs to earn the $2,000. What kind of mud puddles did he have to get them out from? I bet he had quite the adventure. :-)" -- Jonathan H..
"Great job, Ben! " -- Kari F.
"That's a great story, Ben. Great writing, I really like it!!!" -- MadelineR.
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