Free Sweetheart Deal by Linda Joffe Hull Page B

foreigners, but here are a few dos and don’ts to help you on your way.”
    â€œGreat,” Geo said. “Now it’s time to have some fun.”
    And despite the somber circumstances that had us in town, Geo and the crew managed to pull together a surprisingly lighthearted shoot.
    The first camera segment was set up in front of a jewelry vendor where Eloise was already browsing, her face frozen in the snooty scowl she normally reserved for low-end shoe stores.
    â€œHow much?” she asked in English waving a pair of hoop earrings.
    â€œTwenty American dollars,” the owner finally said, but without making eye contact.
    â€œTen,” she said.
    â€œNineteen,” he said.
    â€œFor a junky pair of earrings?” she sniffed. “They don’t even look like real silver.”
    He shrugged. “That’s the price.”
    â€œPerfect!” Geo said, stopping the action as soon as the vendor turned away from her. “Now, Maddie, you give some tips and then we’ll redo this whole scenario again the right way.”
    The merchant, who seemed to be attracted to my stepdaughter’s assets, if not her attitude, sidled up beside her while Geo directed me to a spot where I was surrounded by stores and colorful merchandise.
    As he was about to cue me to speak, I saw a woman standing in the midst of the crowd and found myself drawn in (much like a bull) by her traditional white top with red embroidery and matching bright red full skirt. Something about the pleading look in her eyes told me she wanted or needed something—likely to sell a few or all of the sombreros she was peddling.
    â€œAnd action!” Geo said.
    I quickly decided I would ask Geo to include her in one of the upcoming shots, smiled in her direction, and began: “In the more traditional parts of Mexico, almost everything is bargained for, but in the modern or tourist areas, the rules become less clear. Permanent storefronts and food sellers traditionally maintain fixed prices, but vendors on foot, in markets or booths, or at tables generally welcome bargaining. Another clue can be the presence or absence of price tags.”
    Before I could start on the actual tips themselves, Trent and FJ bounded up as if the cameras weren’t there.
    Liam watched from outside the shot.
    â€œ Hola ,” FJ said to the owner.
    â€œ Hola ,” he smiled, leaving Eloise’s side and appearing on camera once again. “ Cómo estàs ?”
    â€œ Estoy bien, y tú ?” FJ answered in his best high school Spanish.
    â€œMom would like this,” Trent said, holding up a turquoise bracelet that had, in fact, caught my eye. “Don’t you think?”
    â€œI don’t think we’ll have enough money to buy it,” FJ said with a sigh. “It looks pretty expensive.”
    â€œ Cuánto cuesta, por favor ?” Trent asked.
    â€œ Twenty-five dollars American,” the vendor said in English.
    â€œI’m afraid that’s just too much,” FJ said, also in English.
    The vendor smiled, stealing a glance at Eloise’s legs. “How much can you spend?”
    â€œFifteen dollars,” Trent blurted.
    â€œFifteen dollars?” the vendor said, sounding insulted by the mere mention of such an unthinkable price.
    â€œI know it’s worth more than that,” FJ added, brushing a humidity-curled lock of hair out of his eyes. “But it’s all we have on us.”
    The boys looked convincingly disappointed as Trent returned the bracelet to its resting spot amongst a group of similar baubles.
    â€œI can tell you are nice boys,” the vendor said, lifting the bracelet by the clasp. “Fifteen is okay.”
    â€œReally?”
    As the vendor nodded, Geo nodded in my direction to finish my spiel.
    â€œYou are likely to have the most success and fetch the best possible prices by following a few simple guidelines,” I said, noting that the sombrero