SERVICE STORY: MY LIC DAYS
BY PG.POOCHERY
He knew that no ordinary pleadings would work in this office. "I've come taking a peg. Without that I know I can't get things done here," a customer who came to the branch centre proclaimed loudly. A coarse man he is. But what he said was loud enough and clear too. He is a government transport worker. He had come determined to give a 'fight' that day. His announcement was that he had taken a "small", but everybody present in the office got sudden notice that it was a case of a "large". It was out of humility only he had talked of a "small"! In fact, he had come fully drunk.
………
People in the branch centre had also commendable, equally strong and very proud track record.
Here an officer himself was in the influence of "small" things throughout the day. It was a case of "small" with a difference. He would disappear from the office to have an easy sip every now and then. He had a team of followers in the branch centre. 'Together and severally' they were making frequent encounters with illicit liquor.
Another branch leader himself was a former member of such a group. Now he claims he doesn't have such things at least during office hours. But he would go to his favourite club direct from the office.
Administrative head was no different. He would go on announcing to all, time and again, that he was "not afraid of anybody". A real tiger he is, he is now old enough and about to retire within a couple of years.
Then there were other tigers too who would pounce upon anybody anytime.
Their favourite pastime was travelling by cycle for going out for official matters. Unfortunately cycle tyres got deflated almost daily.
One of them is easily disturbed. He would come rushing and announce in a perturbed voice, "sir somebody has deflated the cycle tyre" that morning also. And he was helpless! Poor guy. He had to accept auto-rikshaw charges that day much against his wish!
Another member in the branch force was a clerk in the records section – a fighter. He would sometimes make such fantastic demands that the height of the table he is using should be cut to size. Only then he could use the same and do his work. Till that is done, he would strike work with immunity.
The list is not complete even now.
There was also a 'politician' among them who didn't bother much about these worthless things and petty quarrels. He would rather 'vanish' from the office with cash to be deposited to the bank as soon as the office opened up for the day's business. He will return to the office after bank hours on the plea that there was "heavy rush" in the bank counters.
One day he left the office with all cash given for depositing in the bank and never returned to the office thereafter. Finally he was given marching orders and the case was handed over to the police.
Another quiet gentleman working there once stealthily put the cash box somewhere in the record room instead of keeping the same in the Safe. But he had only good intentions. Action was taken. Please don't jump into conclusions. No action was taken against him but he was promoted to the next post at the earliest possible opportunity.
There was a stationery specialist - another guy in the branch commando force who could be pressed into action at short notice.
He would go to the stationery shop for bulk purchase of requirements of the branch for a month. Then a chunk of the stationery would be kept outside. Only the balance portion would be taken to the office. If there is no check and items are accepted by the concerned section without a question, he would return the stationery items kept outside to the stationery shop itself and get cash back.
One more person: a mentor. He won't come out openly but he would freely give advice. He was an experienced adviser and supporter of this group.
A commentator: A seemingly harmless gentleman. He would make comments. Almost continuously.
Then, also a Gestapo: He would find out the in and outs of everything happening and inform the concerned persons – often higher offices.
A charmer. He had a fascination towards the other sex. He used to come very early to the office and was seen spending his time quite usefully.
To crown it all, the Branch centre had two other gentlemen who were transferred to another office for the reason that they made indecent advances towards women.
Both of them were later promoted. Let nobody blame the office that they did not do anything at all !
………
Now the customer on one side and the branch commandos on the other side took positions facing each other.
An imminent attack looked a certainty. Both the sides had equally competent people and they were ready to meet any challenge from the other side.
Marching sounds were heard. Bugles and trumpets were blown. The atmosphere was surcharged with tension.
But, to the relief of all, better sense prevailed at the last moment and nothing untoward happened.
Both the sides retreated to safe grounds after a while…
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