10.6.06

What do you do when your worst nightmare comes true? Do you put your tail in between your legs and run? Or do you stay put and face it?

Life is strange. When I say that, I feel it in my bones.

A year back, I had met a photographer (let me call him Mr P) and collected some photographs from him for a rock band story. The day had been particularly harrowing for me. At the end of it when I reached office, I forgot the photos behind in the autorickshaw. I was racked with guilt and tension. And I wanted to be honest about it. I called up Mr P and explained to him how I had misplaced his pictures. I thought he would blow his lid. He did.

To make up for my callousness, I offered to get the prints developed. I asked for the negatives. He refused. Instead he asked me to shell out Rs 10,000 for each of the prints. Till that point I was being polite and I was making myself take everything he was saying (he said a lot) timidly. But the moment he quoted that figure I lost it. I bit out some cold remarks and hung up.

Our exchange was definitely not short and crisp as my account seems. It happened over the phone, the e-mail and then on the phone again. It was an ugly experience.

Today I called up a biker for a story. While I was talking to him, he mentioned casually that he is a photographer and a rock and roll one at that. The moment I heard that, everything kind of fell in place. In a flash. I was talking to Mr P. I was stunned. I quickly passed over the phone to my photographer who was seated beside me. I called up another biker and asked him where supposed Mr P lives. "Yes, he does have an office there," he said, confirming the place I had mentioned.

Now I have to go for the story and the shoot tomorrow. And meet Mr P. I am sure that once we meet, he will remember me.

I am scared.

36 comments:

n.g. said...

RULE NO. 1 IN BUSINESS, which obviously Mr. Pee doesnt do any of and knows nothing about, is only quote a figure that you're confident of being reimbursed, WHATEVER the circumstance. now i dont expect Pee to spout a management degree, but even basic common sense says the same thing. and since you didn't end up paying him 10k per picture (thats a laugh, rock bands in India dont make that much in their lifetime, let alone their pictures) which also means that he didn't end up digging out that sum from you, he was just being an arsehole.

and YOU'RE scared of meeting him again? hmmmm. something doesn't fit.

Gamesmaster G9 said...

Uh-oh! That chap again? I wish you luck.

First Rain said...

First time on, unpleasant meetings are... well just that - unpleasant. Re-meeting the same unpleasant person after some time is often just icy.

Since he is one giving the interview, I doubt he'll be anything more than that! So, what are you scared of? Grill him well! :D

Sunrayz said...

I would say,don't show any of the discomfort you are feeling. Be calm on the outside and keep this mantra on your mind through out- it's all in the attitude, it's all in the mind.
You will make him feel uncomfortable.
PS: Give us an update on how it went.Please :) Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Waiting to know how the rendezvous went

Sonia said...

hey! don't be scared yar! *hug* you have no reason to be scared. he's the nut who asked for 10 grand a pic (ridiculous! typical dilli attitude, i'm sorry to say) do NOT let him intimidate you. you made a mistake, and offered to make nice, but there's no need to bend over backwards u know. and u didn't. which is good. just be calm and composed.take it one step at a time, no use crossing bridges before you get to them. so don't worry yourself out. you'll be fine.

Mint Chutney said...

Don't keep us in suspense.. how did it go??

AB said...

Ok everybody. I was saved. There's someone up there after all who takes care of it all when there's nothing to do on your part.

Photographer RS called me saying that Mr P's uncle had passed away. So he wouldn't be able to make it. The shoot was cancelled. And I don't think it is happening. Whew!

Nish: Now why do I get the feeling that you think I'm an amazon???:(

Gamesmaster: I don't remember writing about him ever...Because it happened before I started blogging.

First Rain: Icy or fiery, I am glad there was no meeting. Really really glad especially when he told me the night before the shoot that all his biker friends are scotch drinking beefy fellows.

Sunrayz: You know I was psyching out big time on Saturday night thinking up all kinds of situations and how I would react. I had even decided to wear my aviator gogs and a scarf to over up my face...

Toe knee: No rendezvous, friend
:-)

Sonia: Sometimes it's so much better when you don'thave to cross the bridge, no? ;)

Minty: I wish I could have borrowed your bloodhound for that day. But since I couldn't have Chutney at my side, my guardian angel decided to bail moi out...

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... A dilemma it is! Well time has a way of disolving anger, bitterness among other things. So if you feel you can let go and be civil to him through the interview you should def go! You never know, maybe hes changed now too!

AB said...

Grey Shades: I don't think he would have been happy to see me. Let's put it this way. Neither would I.

Rat said...

Oh my god thats scary alright. Now for the love of god woman, tell us what happned ?

AB said...

Rat: Nothing happened. What happened is the shoot got cancelled:-) So I treated myself to a cheesy pizza in celebration!

Sonia said...

see! all that worry for nothing!

n.g. said...

i think you're an amazon? i dont understand. pls explain.

Anti-establishment Inc said...

It's always better to face one's nightmares. As Jim morrison put it, "Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free." Makes sense?..:)

AB said...

Sonia: :-)

Nish: Ufff ...As in an amazon woman?

Anti-est: Something like what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger...Only in this case I would have probably been killed.

n.g. said...

why would i think you're an amazon woman? WHAT IS an amazon woman like, since you seem to be on friendlier terms with the species?

AB said...

Nish: *YOU'RE scared of meeting him again* That line prompted the Amazon reaction. Amazon as in haven't you heard of the expression -- "She's such an Amazon"?

Ok let me not beat around the bush. It means a virago, to put it simply.

Gamesmaster G9 said...

I know because you TOLD me. You know, people do communicate in real life too.

AB said...

gamesmaster: Oh. When? During the wedding?

First Rain said...

The pizza was the way to go! :o)

'N I heard KFC has opened an outlet in Delhi (some mall in Rajouri Garden) - is it true?

Anonymous said...

There's KFC in Noida :-)

n.g. said...

virago? i dont think you're a virago, not even remotely. no, never heard the euphimism 'she's such an amazon.' does 'being an amazon' mean being a virago? hmmm.

shyam said...

Umm.. this P is a freelance chap, does fashion and sets of rock bands?

AB said...

First Rain: KFC has opened in CP as well (a few shops ahead of Wenger's) and of course in Rqajouri as you heard.

Sayoni: Welcome back:-) KFC it seems has decided to really go all the way to woo Delhiites. The other day I treated my colleagues to a KFC meal. You wanna go?'

Nish: Then it's ok...Well kind of.

Shyam: Why you want to get in touch with him?

shyam said...

Ew, no.

Ran into someone who fits the description at elevate on Saturday, was just wondering if it was the same person.

AB said...

Shyam: Omigod. Might be because he was out apparently partying on sat night. Was he short and saying man from time to time?

First Rain said...

@sayoni: Thanks for the Noida tip !

@AB: Now that you remind me of Wenger's, I suddenly have this craving for a lemon tart.

shyam said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
shyam said...

Umm.. on second thoughs, I better take this off to email, not fun to do this on a public page. check mail listed on profile page.

AB said...

First Rain: I just went the other day with my colleague. She got this doll shaped cake for her 25 year old friend. It was a sight I say peeking into the face of a doll in a triangular shaped box. The smells of Wenger's can drive me crazy...

Shyam: Ok will do so. Very intrigued I must say.

SwB said...

howdy there :)

AB said...

salwater blues: Well, well, look who's here...Me kind of okay.

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