Paulette and the Stock Market

Paulette’s not an accountant, but she could’ve been. The girl is good with numbers. She’s always been something of a human calculator. She’s always found the stock market interesting, too, but for whatever reason, she went to beauty school instead. Paulette will tell you that she has no idea why she did that because hairdressing has very little to do with making money, but don’t let her fool you. She loves her work.

However, a few months back Paulette came into a little unexpected cash. Her aunt died and left her with some money. It wasn’t enough to really do anything with but since it was unexpected and not earmarked for bills, Paulette decided to do something she has always dreamed about—she got into the stock market. First she checked out some books from the library and began reading up. I thought she would find a stock broker to help her test the waters, but Paulette is more of a do-it-yourself type. She chose to use one of those internet sites where you can be your own broker and dove right in. Yesterday, Paulette ran by the house for coffee. After we’d caught up on this and that I thought about her new business interest.

“So, how’s the stock market going?” I asked.
Paulette shrugged. “It’s going,” she said, way too nonchalantly.
I sensed trouble. “Come on, Paulette. What’s up? You haven’t lost all that money, have you?”
“I have not lost all that money,” Paulette said carefully.
“Don’t play word games with me. I’m smarter than that. You’ve lost some of it,” I
said. “So, where exactly are you?”
“Well, I used to be bullish,” Paulette said, “and then I was bearish.”
“And…what are you now?” I asked.

Paulette answered so low I could barely hear her. “Now,” she said. “I’m brokish.”