Retired salesman needs opportunity, maybe (9)
I believe the answer is:
perchance
'maybe' is the definition.
('perchance' can be a synonym of 'maybe')
'retired salesman needs opportunity' is the wordplay.
'retired' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'salesman' becomes 'rep' (I've seen this before).
'needs' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'opportunity' becomes 'chance' ('chance' can be a synonym of 'opportunity').
'rep' written backwards gives 'per'.
'per'+'chance'='PERCHANCE'
(Other definitions for perchance that I've seen before include "'To sleep: -------- to dream:' Hamlet" , "possibly" , "Maybe (to dream? - Hamlet)" , "As it may happen" .)