Do you remember how I often try to break ice with the waiters/waitresses in a restaurant by responding to their perfunctory “Can I get you something else?” with a “Sure. A million dollars would help”? You probably also remember how that resulted in some hilarious responses (the waitress who said “Sure, it will cost you two”) and some inspiring conversations (the waiter who wants to start his own pizza place outside Milwaukee)?

Well, last night was one more memorable one.

The young lady had laid down dinner for me and my teammate and asked the usual question. I gave my usual response and waited to see her reaction.

She looked at all the numbers and figures my teammate and I had jotted down on a few pieces of paper strewn all over the table for the last fifteen minutes and then looked at me and said “A million dollars? Business that bad, huh?”.

I was like – Awesome!!! That is total sass!!

I laughed out aloud and let her know that I have a ten year old daughter at home who she reminded me of 🙂

While in Dallas, I was able to catch up with some of the youngsters from Indian Institutes of Management who had joined our company at the turn of the century (that makes it sound so long back, does it not? 🙂 ). In any case, many were traveling and many are not in Dallas any more. But it was great to catch up with Mohit, GV, Kapil and Ajay. Looks like I missed Dilesh and Ashish by a day. Abhay was in India… It was absolutely heartwarming to see how incredibly successful professionally and personally each one of them have become.

While catching up on the personal side, a really funny exchange took place with Mohit..

Me: “Where do you live Mohit?”
Mohit: “Wynnpage. In Coppell”

Since I lived in Coppell for 9 years, I pressed on to find out the exact location. I had a vague recollection that I had seen Wynnpage before. After a few minutes of apparent struggle, I asked him to start giving me directions from an intersection both of us knew. I still took another few minutes to figure out what was happening. I had completely messed up my North with my South. Once that was cleared, it was very easy…

Me: “Oh! Wynnpage!! Now I know! You are right next to ”
Mohit: “Yes”
Me: “That is silly of me. There is a friend of mine who lives there. I have visited him in Wynnpage too!! Do you know a guy called Manjit Sohal?”
Mohit [totally taken aback]: “How do you know Manjit?”
Me: “Long story. We used to work in our first jobs together in Bombay. And also, he met his wife thru my wife – when both of them were studying in UT Arlington”.
Mohit: “That is crazy. In any case, he actually lives in Plano now”.
Me: “He does? Man, I still talk to him on his birthdays. I always thought I was calling him in Coppell”.

And then something struck me.
Me: “But then, how do you know him if lives in Plano?”
Mohit: “Because I bought his house in Wynnpage when he moved to Plano!!!!”

And I was like – Aha! There had to be an intersection somewhere!!!! 🙂