Ripples on the brain

Saturday, Nov 3rd
Under Gemini flyover (between Nungambakkam High Road and Cathedral Road)

There has been a slight change made to the traffic flow towards Cathedral Road from Nungambakkam High Road (I don’t if this has been there for sometime now or is very recent). You just have the left-most lane if you want to stay straight to Cathedral Road, so you need to take a left deviation. If you don’t take the deviation, the barricades ensure you end up taking right to Anna Salai.

This change has made it difficult to note the signal as you proceed to Cathedral Road. I had already missed and jumped the signal a couple of times earlier and did it again on Saturday. As my luck would have it, there was a traffic constable to stop me. Since I had clearly erred, I was ready to pay the fine. The resulting conversation with him was very hilarious.

Me (as I stopped the vehicle beside him): Sir, it’s clearly my mistake. I’m ready to pay whatever fine is due. Just give me the fine receipt and I’ll pay up.
Traffic constable (totally shocked/amused): Sir, you are accepting your mistake! Where are you working sir?

Me: I’m not working, I’m studying (I agree, that information is a couple of years old).
Traffic constable: Where sir? (Note the sir at the end of sentence!)

Me: In Hyderabad.
Traffic constable: What is your father doing?

Me: He’s not working, retired.
Traffic constable: Is education in Hyderabad better than here?

Me: Yeah…just let me know what the fine is.
Traffic constable: Sir, that will take a long time. You need to meet the SI, who is far away from here.

Me: That’s okay. I’m ready to meet him. Just get in. We’ll go to him.
Traffic constable: Sir, you accepted your mistake. I won’t trouble you. You can pay me something and leave.

Me: No, I’m ready to pay the entire fine. Why should I pay you?
Traffic constable: In that case, you can leave, sir. I won’t trouble you.