Woke up and went to work. First phone call was a gentleman who was referred to me by a super regular customer. He’s got some items from Palmetto state to pick up that are transferring through.
He shows up on time and gets an instant go ahead from the computer. We talk about guns, politics and airplanes. He worked on the B2 program and we discuss Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop and all things flying.
There’s an open RFP from USAF on how to reverse engineer the B2 heat exchangers. Apparently they need some and can’t get them from the subcontractor that built them. We talk engineering since I’m wearing my caltech shirt today. He asks if I really went to caltech.
I said no, I hang around Pasadena a lot with my family and I’m always doing something illegal so if someone ever calls the cops, they’ll report me as the nerdy guy with glasses wearing the caltech shirt.
Good luck catching him! He has a laugh.
He picks up his lowers, an extra parts kit and a company tshirt.
Nice fella, I like transfers like this. It’s nearly noon as Lenny my UPS guy drives up. He dumps off more guns and ammo. Love me a good resupply.
I start breaking into the ammo and my phone rings.
It’s a local healthcare worker who wanted me to have a Glock 17 and 2 boxes of ammo ready on payday.
It’s payday. No problem. Here’s your gun and ammo. $950. She pays cash and is very excited that she’s gotten one of the last Glock pistols in my inventory. Another new gun owner on the books, and a satisfied customer paying in cash. Life is good.
Handling administrative BS and the door swings open. My big fat italian born in new haven CT buddy Mark walks in. He’s been to pepes a time or two and his belt shows it. Mark went to ELEMENTARY school with me. Super nice guy. He’s masked up but you cannot mistake this big italian burly fellow. He wants to check some guns out, his house is gun free and the world is getting shitty. I show him stuff and we talk guns, politics, etc.
He’s running a new market/restaurant/deli just down the street. It’s basically the eataly concept on a smaller scale and the owners sank 5 million bucks into the buildout. A5 wagu in stock, fresh haddock, oysters, you name it. Very exciting. I show him some stuff and he makes a mental checklist. Messages his brother and asks if I can do a Springfield Hellcat pricematch.
FC: My standard rule is no negotiations on items under $10,000 or with terrorists. But since you two know me since elementary school….okay.
1: That’s a good joke.
(Points at sign that says “WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS OR ORDERS UNDER $10,000”)
1: Holy fuck
FC: Been at this a long time. Haha.
I haven’t had lunch yet. I’m about to head over to the local deli for a reuben when Madeline my fedex driver rolls up. She dumps off 8 boxes of guns and I start logging them in. I get some projects finished for customers and labeled up for USPS on my way home.
The phone rings.
FC: Go for FC
1: Hey Will, it’s Rick!
Editors note: Rick has left A MACHINEGUN, two SBR’s and three silencers here without ATF forms filed since 2015–2017. The last time I talked to him is 2019. I sent him a letter asking him to come in and lets get the paperwork and everything rolling, otherwise I’m putting all his stuff up on gunbroker marked OWNER DECEASED SELLING IN LIEU OF CHARGING STORAGE and lo and behold a month later I get a phone call!
FC: Happy Birthday! You’re alive? The chinavirus didn’t get you?
1: Stuff happened. No virus. I’m alive. But it’s been a rough few years.
FC: Tell me about it.
1: I’m back in town now, boat’s running good again. I’m meeting a mechanic and then I’ll be down to your place to take care of all the paperwork.
FC: Thank the lord. It’s been a while…..
1: I’ll call you next week and we’ll get together!
FC: Sounds like a plan!
Editors Note: Inbetween the time that M16 came in my door, the following things have happened.
His gun went to M60 joe for some adjustments, he did the work, M60 joe closed and retired.
Donald Trump RAN FOR and WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT and was impeached NOT ONCE BUT TWICE
I met a beautiful woman and fell in love with her.
I filed a lawsuit against my old fire chief, did all the motions, and resolved the case
Gamestop made a bunch of people on reddit millionaires overnight.
PETER LUGER STEAKHOUSE BECAME CREDIT CARD ONLY.
Truly, these are interesting times.
Rick’s paperwork needs to get redone since ATF has changed the forms not once not twice but THREE TIMES over the years. I’ve got work to do. I look down at my watch. It’s 5PM.
Quitting time. I throw today’s fedex and USPS outbounds in the truck and dump them off. I head to the grocery store, grab some steak and fire up the grill.
I hop on tinder just for the hell of it. Ten minutes in, I see a photo of the woman that broke my brain three years ago. Fuck my life.
