Story of the Week [for the week 11.02 to 17.02.2008]

“Your job is only to receive tourists at the airport. It is I who drive them around. Why the heck should I share my tips with you?” said Ali to Varghese, shouting to be heard over the din of the departing jet plane.
“If it weren’t for me, you would not be getting your tourists in the first place! And it’s not as if I am asking for an outrageous sum. I am just claiming ten percent.” retorted Varghese.
This conversation was in Malayalam and the bemused Maharashtrian tourist listened to the words being exchanged with the beginnings of a smile on his lips.
Something must have irked Ali, because he made a move as if to hit the agent from the travel company. He checked himself at the last moment. But his movement had alarmed the travel agent and in self defence he raised his hand to protect his face. And during this motion, he accidentally hit Ali on the nose.
A scuffle was the result.
Taking advantage of the fracas, the Maharashtrian retrieved his luggage from the vehicle and checked into the airport for his flight.
Another few hundred rupees saved by virtue of creating disquiet and angst between the driver and the agent. And to think that all it required was the words, “What? You are getting this much only?”