FRED Friday...Lou saved the day

FRED Friday…Lou saved the day

Thanks Lou...you saved the day

Last week I had an unforeseen mishap involving my car on the way to work.  The Black Pearl, as I’ve called her for nearly 10 years, is a 2002 Toyota Camry – black in color.   

God Bless her…she’s taken me from A to B in Orlando, Ithaca, Las Vegas, Miami, back to Orlando, and now back in Las Vegas once again.  She’s solid…however last week, when I stopped at 7-Eleven to get gas on the way into work, THE CAR BATTERY DIED.

I was fired up to get into work.  It was one of those days for which I was very prepared…I had my list already made in my notebook.  I had it all planned out.  I knew exactly what I needed to accomplish.  I knew exactly who I needed to meet with one on one.  I was ready to discuss some specific topics with the appropriate Vice Presidents in a few meetings.  It was just one of those days…I couldn’t wait to get into work and highlight things off my list one…by…one.

And then…after filling up my tank with gas at 7-Eleven…the Black Pearl would not start.  Totally dead…nada…zip…dunzo.  The battery was totally dead.

I had a minor freak out moment for about a minute and a half, but quickly got into problem solving mode.  Remembering that I had jumper cables in my trunk, I walked across the gas station parking lot in search of someone I could talk into giving me a jump…I actually thought to myself, “hopefully I find a FRED…”

Found one…I met Lou

A very down to business and seemingly focused gentleman in a uniform was walking with purpose toward what appeared to be a bar/restaurant adjacent to the gas station.  I said hello, introduced myself, told him my predicament, and asked him if he would give me a jump.  He was hesitant at first, but loosened up quickly as I explained my situation.  I said, “my name’s Taylor…by the way…what’s your name?”

With a thoughtful look on his face he kindly responded, “I’m Lou…I do have a meeting right at 8:00am with the owner of this place, but let’s make sure they aren’t waiting on me first, and then I’ll see if I can give you a jump.”

Lou works for Gaming Technology Group, an organization that happened to be assisting with the installation of brand new slot machines at the bar/restaurant adjacent to the 7-Eleven.  We walked inside together, took a quick look around…nobody was waiting.  So I was in luck; Lou to the rescue.

Lou quickly pulled his truck over near my car at the gas pump, popped my hood for me as if his occupation was “Personal Auto Mechanic” to Taylor Scott rather than a Slot Machine Technician for Gaming Technology Group.  He lead me through the entire process...”here…let me have the cables…I’ll do it for you,” he said.  Within 30 seconds Lou had my car connected to his truck with the jumper cables and told me to give the ignition a try.  I turned the key, and she fired right up…the Black Pearl was BACK in ACTION!

Unhooking the jumper cables, shutting my hood for me, Lou pulled me over to the side of his truck as if we’d been friends for years.  He asked me how long I’d been in Las Vegas, and when I told him just over seven months he gave me a quick lesson.  He spent the next five minutes telling me that car batteries really don’t last very long out here because it’s so dry. 

I asked him more about his job and his company.  He asked me more about where I work and what I do at the Cosmopolitan.  When we realized that we both dealt with loyalty marketing programs in the gaming industry we chatted for another five minutes.  The whole time I’m thinking to myself, “I wonder what I would have done if Lou hadn’t been going to a meeting here.”

Lou didn’t know me from Adam.  He had business of his own to take care of, and he had things to check off of his own list…yet he took time out of his morning to help me resolve my predicament.  As a result, I was still able to get to work early…like I had planned.  I was able to accomplish several ToDo’s prior to my morning meeting…like I had planned.  I was able to crush through my day, highlighting items off of my list…just like I had planned. 

I knew Lou was a Fred from the word go…so I was waiting for the right opportunity to take his picture.  When I asked him if I could take a quick pic, he said, “ah…are you sure, I don’t really look too good.”  I beg to differ, Lou.  You’re a beautiful human being that cares about people, and I certainly appreciate what you did.  You truly saved the day for me.

In The Fred Factor, Mark Sanborn shares what he found out when he asked Fred Shea…the actual Fred the Postman, what motivates him to be a Fred.  The first thing on Fred’s list is:

·      Do good and feel good: “I have to feel good about myself each day, and the satisfaction of taking care of people helps me do that.” – Fred Shea…THE real Fred.

Feeling overwhelmed?  Work killing you?  In a slump?  Think about who needs help and who’s dealing with a predicament of their own.  Find ways to “take care of people”…and who knows, you just might save the day like Lou saved mine.

Have a great day.

Taylor

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