driver vs. driver ... and an elopement, no less!

just like we have 2 maids, we have 2 drivers now. ok, we had (past tense) -- and not both at the same time. but enough for us to start comparing. moorthy is so obliging vs. ramesh has his own ideas. "he has too many things going on." moorthy has a bike (and thus a ride home) so can stay late. and ramesh? "cannot get auto at after 9pm sir. no bus sir from here, sir. need auto fare -- 1.5 times sir"

... but, but, but... moorthy cannot find the way to his nose if he tried! "so what! what's most important is that he can work sundays and late nights." thus sprach herr. rao. afsos, moorthy is gone and ramesh is back. if ramesh had too much going on before his vacation, check this out...

... he just ran away and got married (eventful 5 day vacation, uh.) so where we had a busy driver earlier, now we have busy driver with new wife. oh and wait, there's more! both families have disowned them and they are out on the streets, looking for a house, shacking up with friends (separately), finding time to meet... i catch snatches of "seri, naa varey... ippo varey.... ille, dont worry, naa 20 minutes nall varey" ... and all... at 7pm.

so mr. rao is not happy. other expat legends speak of drivers staying all night at their beck and call, partying until wee hours and drivers crashing in cars until day break... and our stories speak of anxious newly-weds badgering their half-oranges to come home at 7pm. mr. rao, having tasted the moorthy apple, now finds the ramesh variety wanting. "we've got to get a moorthy somehow."

now hiring! a driver for mr. rao. must have no life. no wife. just bike.