They can get you too.
I was walking back from lunch for the problem-solving test that was part of my McKinsey interview. I was feeling pretty good about how the earlier interview went, and was deep in thought about a work situation that we were trying to resolve. As I was striding purposefully towards Centennial Tower, a sardar sidles up to me from nowhere.
He reckons I seem to be deep in thought. Assures me that everything I wish for will happen, and that great news awaits me on Sep 10. Convinces me that I have never wished evil for anybody else and have never wished for money, so only good things can happen to me. Predicts that a person whose name has an S will make great things happen for me. Insists that my future consists of me running a business. Scribbles something on a scrap of paper and thrusts it into my hand. Asks me to pick a number between 3 and 7 and the name of a flower. As statistical probability would have it, I pick 5 and Rose (as Navneet says, I should have picked champa or chameli instead). Lo and behold, I unwrap the scrap and 5 and rose, it is. He points that out as the strongest sign that only good news awaits me.
I panic. I also sense myself consciously sinking into a con, but don't see a way out. The special circumstances of being on my way to an interview make me even more nervous.
He asks for money. I don't want a curse. I give him $10 and dash.
Vikram and Eruku confirm later that this is the well-known conman of Lau Pa Sat (now of Centennial Tower, I suppose).
I am not sure what will come out of the McKinsey interaction, but it sure has cost me $10.
No comments:
Post a Comment