No, this isn't a toothpaste ad. Nor is it a kodak moment. This isn't an ad for alcoholics anonymous- or even oxfam (although he probably won't mind if you send him money to ease your conscience.)
I wanna tell you a story that Murali told me. But before I start on the story, I should list out the salient points of his life (that I can recall early this morning).
Computer Science
Gustavus
Unemployed
NY
Waiter
Gay district
Web designer
Prostitute client
Yup that covers it. Good thing we stopped at the prostitute cuz that's where the story takes off. But as a pre-ramble, let me say that Murali, like the rest of us had to survive in 'Merica. And we had to get jobs- us brown folk. So with colgate smile in mouth, and a computer science degree that was 1 year too late, our hero was looking at a tech market in free fall. He likes waterfalls plenty plenty and this seemed just like a techie programmer version of one and so he went to NY to get closer and investigate. His investigation into techie washaway under way, he had no money and no job.
Then of course he got a job, as a waiter in a gay bar in NY and got sizeable tips from a patron that had a certain fondess for him. But Murali knews how to giggle like a schoolgirl while keeping his distance. And so he did that with an admirable coyness and conspired to web design on the side. Well, during one of his relatively low-powered presentations one afternoon, he got a call see...
Murali: Hi this is Murali
Madame Sultry Voice: Hi I need some work done on my web site. I'm willing to pay cash
Murali: Uh, I'm in a meeting right now. Can I call you back? What's your name?
Sultry V: My number is ________. Just call me Triple X
Naturally Murali was taken aback by the sultre in her voice. But he was even more abacked up at the thought of getting paid for the tiddly piddly change she wanted on her porno web site. 10 minutes of techie-fiddle for a cool 250 bucks in the Rent and Food budget.
Murali did the work, got paid through western union rather than in person. He turned out talking to her for an hour that evening- and so she told him how rich powerful guys sometimes like getting spanked and dominated through and through when they return from their boasting around at work.
Our humble clarke kent was at the time, dallying with the gay district and so this heterosexual conversation was music to his ears. In any case, he got no repeat business. And to the best of my knowlege there was no quid pro quo since he was with spanish girlfiend at the time and living hi-fidelity.
But, isn't that a cute story.
What prostitutes we make of ourselves, even to prostitutes.
(P.S: Kudos to M for getting through the crappiest time in the world in NY. )
I talked to him in Madras on Skype for free this morning...after how long?...4 years? He's set up a web-design outsourcing business in Madras. He's fine. Now he just needs to show up in Canada.
later,
Zabba
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