Sayonara Noriyuki

In December of ‘97, Noriyuki was slated to return to Tokyo, having completed a standard two year stint. “I will miss you, Ichihashi-san. We have worked well together.”
He agreed, offering some consolation. “We will continue to co-work when I am at KV.” We both knew it wouldn’t be the same, but at least this was not goodbye forever. He continued: “I am selling my cars. Do you want to buy one?”
“Not the Taurus!” We both laughed. American versus Japanese: we knew which was better. “How much for the Camry?” I asked.
“I am asking $3,500. That is below the prices I see online.” It was a fair price for 90,000 miles, but more than I could conveniently pay. My daughter Michelle would have to wait a little longer.
Two days later Ichihashi-san walked into the side door of the office, obviously distressed. “My car is on fire!” I laughed but hurriedly grabbed a fire extinguisher off the wall. Outside, flames were rising from the rear of the engine compartment, hood raised. I wasn’t fond of the idea of approaching a burning vehicle, but the flames were small and the gas tank was in the rear. I hit it with the extinguisher, dousing the fire.
Ichihashi-san’s relief was soon shadowed with perplexity. He was leaving soon and here was another issue for him to deal with. I took a look to be sure it was out. I guessed the steering fluid hose behind the engine had leaked, spraying a combustible fluid onto the hot engine block. “Good luck with that!” I told him. “Buy American!”
“Never again!” he responded. Laughing, I left him to his quandary.
The next day he walked into my office, saying, “Have I got a deal for you!” Curious, I sat back and listened. “I will sell you my cars for $2,500, but you have to take them both!”
“$2,500, for both?” I asked, incredulously. He affirmed my understanding. The Taurus would be a problem, which of course was the reason for this bargain purchase. I’d have to get it repaired and blessed by a dealer to feel good about selling it to someone. How much would that cost? In any case, $2,500 was a good price for the Camry alone. If it didn’t work out, to the wrecking yard it would go.
“Okay, you’ve got a deal.” With a few phone calls, I arranged to have AAA pick it up and tow it to a local Ford dealer. He estimated $900 to replace the steering lines and clean everything up. A thousand dollars later, I drove the car home.
After listing the Taurus on-line for $3700, a fellow from Hayward brought his family over to look at on Saturday. I told him about the fire, showing him the dealer repair invoice. Eager to be rid of this calamity, I let him bargain me down a little. Soon, they were driving home in their “new” car.
I had to pay for the smog on the Taurus and the registration for Michelle’s “new” Camry, but net-net, I ended up paying about $250 for a good Japanese sedan. Not a bad horse trade.
“You got a good deal!” said Noriyuki when I relayed the tale.
“Yes, but I took on some risk — the liability for the Taurus!” I answered. We were both happy.
The next week a limo came to whisk him and his wife off to the airport and their trip home. I would miss his good humor and intelligence. The usual protocol was for the managers to stand outside, shake hands with honored fellow, and wait for the car to pull away. Yet I needed to do something more. I brought out my saxophone and, to the best of my musical abilities, played him departing tribute.