You are a light, the shop manager said. The surprised look on my face must have said, I have no idea what you're talking about, because I didn't, he said, you have been thoughtful, courteous, kind, respectful, humble.... In every interaction we had...

 You are a light, the shop manager said. The surprised look on my face must have said, I have no idea what you're talking about, because I didn't, he said, you have been thoughtful, courteous, kind, respectful, humble.... In every interaction we had... since 2 days ago on the phone. By the time you made this comment today I had been at their store for about 4 hours while work was being done on the wheel.

That's where the joy is, I replied.

I still don't understand why he made the comment but I can tell it came from someplace very deep.

This is a very rich people's ebike store, a large and thriving shop, and they're the only place in Billings that could cut spokes. Many shops like this including this one avoid touching anything that they haven't sold in part or entirely for fear of liability issues.

I couldn't believe that under the circumstances they wouldn't at least cut spokes for me. There couldn't be any liability in that I thought. And on the 3rd or 4th call the nice young salesman that was following orders and screening the shop from me, got this shop manager on the phone, and instantly he got it, and instantly he was going to make it happen.

Like I say this is a corporate shop for rich people and I don't fit the bill. Four or five of the employees just could not have been more courteous and really seemed to be glad, even somehow honored, that I had stopped there.