Book Opener

The Opening SceneMrs. Lee is talking with a salesperson in the livingroom of the family’s house.Trouble with the MailSALESPERSON: (Writing up an order.) This is the bestvacuum cleaner on the market, ma’am. Believeme, you can’t go wrong with this model. Sign righthere. (Hands her the order sheet.)MRS.LEE: (Signing.) When will it be delivered?SALESPERSON: In about two weeks. Thank you.(Mrs. Lee lets the salesperson out just as Anita, theneighborhood mail carrier, comes up the walk.)ANITA: (Handing her some letters and a smallpackage.) Good afternoon, Mrs. Lee. I’ve got a lotfor you today.MRS.LEE: (Disappointed.) Oh, I’ve been expecting alarge package.ANITA: That’ll come by truck. I only carry small items.MRS.LEE: Thanks. Have a nice day.(As she begins to close the front door behind her,Mrs. Lee hears a noise. She turns to see Anitasprawled on the front sidewalk beside Jason, theyoung boy who lives next door. A silver scooter liesnearby, and mail is all over the yard.)ANITA: Ooowww, my back!JASON: (Upset.) I didn’t mean to hit her. The wheel ofmy scooter fell off!MRS.LEE: Let me help you. (Assisting Anita to herfeet.) That’s a brand-new scooter, isn’t it, Jason?JASON: I got it yesterday.MRS.LEE: Let’s help pick up the mail.(She and Jason help Anita pick up the mail. Thecarrier limps off, just as the school bus stops at thecorner down the street.)MRS.LEE: Come inside, Jason. You’ve scraped yourelbow. Let me wash it and put a bandage on it.AN: (Bouncing into the house and heading toward therefrigerator.) What’s in the mail, Mom?MRS.LEE: (Opening a package.) Greeting cards? Ididn’t order these. Look, there’s a note asking meto return them if I don’t want them. Well, maybewhen I get around to it. . . . (Tossing the packageonto a table.) I was hoping your father’s birthdaypresent would come. I ordered it more than sixweeks ago.(Two hours later, Mr. Lee arrives home.)MRS.LEE: Honey! You’re home early!MR.LEE: I thought I’d surprise you. (He carries alarge box into the kitchen.)MRS.LEE: What’s that?MR.LEE: Something for you. Go on, open it.MRS.LEE: (Opening the box.) Oh, my! (Her faceturns red.) A new vacuum cleaner!MR.LEE: I got it wholesale through one of oursuppliers. He said it’s the best one on the market!1. What is the meaning of the claim, “It’s the bestvacuum cleaner on the market”?2. On what legal grounds might Mrs. Lee return thevacuum cleaner she bought from the salesperson?3. Is Mrs. Lee obligated to return the greeting cards?Must she pay for them if she keeps them?4. Does Mrs. Lee have any recourse against thecatalog company for the lateness of the birthdaypresent she ordered?5. Does the mail carrier have recourse againstanyone for her injuries?Chapter 15: Consumer Protection and Product Liability 315