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打印15 What could his future be? Porter wanted to do something and his mother was certain that he could rise above his limitations. With her encouragement, he applied for a job with the Fuller Brush Co. only to be turned down. He couldn't carry a product briefcase or walk a route, they said.
他将来会是个什么样子呢？波特想做些事，母亲也相信他能冲破身体的局限。在她的鼓励之下，他向福勒牙刷公司申请一份工作，结果却遭到拒绝。他不能提样品包，也不能跑一条推销线路，他们说。
16 Porter knew he wanted to be a salesman. He began reading help wanted ads in the newspaper. When he saw one for Watkins, a company that sold household products door-to-door, his mother set up a meeting with a representative. The man said no, but Porter wouldn't listen. He just wanted a chance. The man gave in and offered Porter a section of the city that no salesman wanted.
波特知道自己想当推销员。他开始阅读报纸上的招聘广告。他看到沃特金斯，一家上门推销家用物品的公司要人，他母亲就跟其代理人安排会面。那人说不行，可波特不予理会。他就是需要一个机会。那人让步了，把城里一个其他推销员都不要的区域派给了他。
17 It took Porter four false starts before he found the courage to ring the first doorbell. The man who answered told him to go away, a pattern repeated throughout the day.
波特一开始四次都没敢敲门，第五次才鼓起勇气按了第一户人家的门铃。开门的那人让他走开，这种情形持续了一整天。
18 That night Porter read through company literature and discovered the products were guaranteed. He would sell that pledge. He just needed people to listen.
19 If a customer turned him down, Porter kept coming back until they heard him. And he sold.
当晚，波特仔细阅读了公司的宣传资料，发现产品都是保用的。他要把保用作为卖点。只要别人肯听他说话就成。
要是客户回绝波特，拒绝倾听他的介绍，他就一再上门。就这样他将产品卖了出去。
20 For several years he was Watkins' top retail salesman. Now he is the only one of the company's 44,000 salespeople who sells door-to-door.
21 The bus stops in the Transit Mall, and Porter gets off.
他连着几年都是沃特金斯公司的最佳零售推销员。如今他是该公司44000名推销员中惟一一个上门推销的人。
公共汽车在公交中转购物中心站停下，波特下了车。
22 His body is not made for walking. Each step strains his joints. Headaches are constant visitors. His right arm is nearly useless. He can't fully control the limb. His body tilts at the waist; he seems to be heading into a strong, steady wind that keeps him off balance. At times, he looks like a toddler taking his first steps.
23 He walks 10 miles a day.
他的身体不适合行走。每走一步关节都疼。头疼也是习以为常的事。他的右臂几乎没用。他不能完全控制这只手臂。他的身体从腰部开始前倾，看上去就像是顶着一股强劲的吹个不停的风迈步向前，风似乎要把他刮倒。有时他看上去就像是个刚刚学步的孩童。
他每天要走10英里的路程。
24 His first stop today, like every day, is a shoeshine stand where employees tie his laces. Twice a week he pays for a shine. At a nearby hotel one of the doormen buttons Porter's top shirt button and slips on his clip-on tie. He then walks to another bus that drops him off a mile from his territory.
25 He left home nearly three hours ago.
像平日一样，他今天的第一站是个擦鞋摊，这里的雇员替他系好鞋带。他每周请他们擦两次鞋。附近一家旅馆的门卫替他扣上衬衣最上面一粒纽扣，戴上用别针别上的领带。随后他步行去搭乘另一部巴士，在距离他的推销区域一英里处下车。
他是差不多3个小时前从家里动身的。
26 The wind is cold and raindrops fall. Porter stops at the first house. This is the moment he's been preparing for since 5:45 a.m. He rings the bell.
27 A woman comes to the door.
风冷雨淋。波特在第一户人家门前停了下来。这是他从5：45分开始就为之准备的时刻。他按了门铃。
一位妇人开了门。
28 "Hello."
29 "No, thank you, I'm just preparing to leave."
30 Porter nods.
31 "May I come back later?" he asks.
32 "No," says the woman.
33 She shuts the door.
34 Porter's eyes reveal nothing.
35 He moves to the next house.
36 The door opens.
