But the three men watching him from afar knew nothing of that; they only saw appearances.

Lucas approached first with the overconfidence of someone who thinks he knows everything. He was 34 years old and had been selling trucks for two years. He thought that made him an expert at reading people. “Excuse me, sir,” he said condescendingly. “These trucks are for customers by appointment only. If you want general information, we have brochures at the entrance.”

Don Félix looked at him leisurely.

His gray eyes, deep as ancient wells, held the young salesman’s gaze.

Then he spoke in a calm but firm voice. “I’m going to take five Mercedes trucks.”

The silence lasted barely a second before Lucas burst out laughing.