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SAM CLUB DAY ‘16

Simultaneously, I began to calculate the number of wheels in a WDM2. 'Three by 2, six on each bogie, makes it
twelve in all', I kept the number in my pocket, in case it came to it.
“I hope you are be er than that, you know the number of wheels in a WDM2, don't you?” the CME asked in a
tone that was hugely disconcer ng.

I nodded. “Of course I do, sir.” I decided against saying the number unless he really pressed for an answer.
The rest of the interview was nondescript, interrupted by the several phone calls that he received.

Next, he picked up the record sheet which had my training records. The sheet had all details, including the
allocated zone, and a column for the CME's comments.

“Oh, you are going to be on Eastern Railway”, he exclaimed, in a tone nged with a minor degree of excitement
as he started filling in the assessment sheet. “So I have to post you somewhere”, he said.

“Not that I would want you to”, I told myself. ”It would also be great if you could send a salary cheque every
month to my home, I could con nue without being posted. You could also keep me as a proba oner for some
more years”.

He pulled out a file which had a bunch of papers with 'Eastern Railway Cadre posi on' wri en on top. He
glanced through the papers and thought for a few seconds.

He picked up a pen from the table, undid its cap and thought for a few seconds. “Okay, let me post you
to…..ummm…”
A pause. Time froze. My prayers were on. God, please God. Not Barwadih, not Barkakhana, not Patratu.

His phone rang again.
The phone conversa on con nued for two minutes and he seemed to be in a jolly mood at the end of the call.
He looked up towards me. The lamb was ready for the slaughter. “So, where was I…..”
“Ok, so let me post you to…to…...Andal.”

“Andal!” I responded incredulously.
He did not even acknowledge my saying that. “Andal” he told to his Secretary. “Please type his pos ng orders
for Diesel Shed Andal”
While I had been worried all the me about being banished to Barwadih, Barkakhana and Patratu, I wondered
where this googly came from. And it answered to a strange name. Andal. Perhaps it was worse than those
places, which is why I had not even heard of its existence. To rub it in, it was a Diesel shed.
“Your game is up, dear”, I told myself, as I came out. The next thing to do was to look up where Andal was and
whether it was a place or an animal.
Whatever it was, it would be my des ny for the next few years.

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