Dev from Delhi went to USA for study 21 years agoand after doing his undergraduate from Columbia University in New York city being a high ranker he secured a ‘Summa Cum Laude’ and he continuedliving there for last about 17 years having been selected by the City bank in the in campus recruitment programme, later on he changed jobs on three or four occasions. He is now fully settled having gained a US citizenship.
He is working in a big bulge bracket Investment bankin Manhattan and have to tour outside Manhattan area once a while, except when it is required by the Bank regarding some very important task with some very big client along with the team of his Bank.
By nature, Dev is not one who is very fond of travelling. In last so many years he has been out tosuch various big financial centres a few times only on duty. He keeps work and family life separate and sometimes do visit places of his interest for familyvacations. He regularly comes to Delhi to visit other family members back in India. This is about him - a typical bright Indian techy now doing well outside but connected to their motherland.
This particular interesting incident happened recently when he and his one colleague had to travel to North Carolina from New York and then back again.
That particular week was especially cold. The weather was chilly and it had been snowing at odd hours. After having gotten a big deal he was to return early next morning to New York.
Fearing that flight was early and the weather was not every pleasant Dev took a phone number of a Hotel approved cab agency and called to reserve a taxi ride in advance rather than calling an Uber taxi at the nick of time. When he rang on that given phone number, there came a response -
“Big Doug Taxi service” the voice said from the other side. Dev quickly booked a Taxi for 4:00 am the following day. The voice again said “Booking confirmed”; Dev asked the name of the driver and the number, however the voice said “same number, you can call” Dev again asked “The name of the driver?” the reply came “I myself will pick up” and the call ended. Dev though confused and bewilder was left staring at the phone, but having no others means he let it be.
The next morning at 3:45 Dev received a call “I am Big Doug already in hotel”
“Don’t sleep guy, if you sleeping” the thick loud voice came “waiting down in lobby.” The fellow said with a booming laughing.
Dev was ready and came down with his small carrying bag to reception and found a giant over six and half feet Black American with a huge pot belly who kept their luggage in the trunk which looked like a small backpack against his ginormous frame.
“Big Dough” he says introducing himself. He motioned them to get in the car.
As he himself got in the car it felt like the car might turn over with the weight.
Dev feared that the car’s tire might burst under the pressure. His belly occupied most of the space on the front seats even occupying almost half of theadjacent passenger seat. He adjusted himself in order to reach the driving wheel and turned on the ignition and stepped on the accelerator shooting out of the parking lot on to the main road. The speedo meter rising from 0 to 60miles in a span of few seconds.
He looked through the rear view and said letting out a gruffy laugh “Ho Ho Chap, I big Doug..oh! it was my birthday yesterday night, we had great fun.. all night now a bit tired HO HO ”
“Ho Ho, my whole fam and friends.. And then came here to get you lot”
Dev feared that the big guy might be hangover from the party before and asked “Couldn’t the company have sent someone in your place?”
“My Place ? HO HO HO Chap. I is the owner” “And the only driver and this cab is the only transport” big Doug says chuckling increasing the cab’s speed.
Then he started telling them about his family “You see Chap. I have big fam. 7 kids aye with 5 women.HO HO” “Grand Kiddos of course. Great little Rascals those one, I say so myself”
He then started talking about his children “my big lad Larry, great man that one. Planned the whole thingalso calling my Ex-Wives as well, still my friend those ladies. And of course the fun, drinking and all you know HO HO”
He continued to talk about his children telling them about them and their jobs. The told them about the party and said how his children despite being from different women loved his so much.
He then shared about his grandkids boasting how one landed as a head janitor. He told them how he would go back and sleep after dropping them having not don’t a proper sleep due to the party. Causing Dev to become more worried.
The drive which was to take more than 25 minsended in just 15 mins without a hazard. The car come to a sudden halt almost throwing dev and his colleagues out of the car’s windshield. “We here yehall” “Don’t forget your belongings and yeah do leave a nice rating.HO HO”
Dev and his colluages got off and took their luggage as big Doug speed off leaving them at the airport terminal standing.
Despite having been to Carolina a few times this was an unforgettable incident one that would stay in their memories forever.
