The Case of the '77 VW Beetle
In late 1999, when I was studying in Hawaii, a good (European) friend of mine approached me for a small favor. She asked me to "own" her 1977 VW Beetle in order to enroll in the Economic Hardship Program. In order for a student to apply for this, they should be downright broke, and since she owns a car that could reflect negatively on her application. I knew that she is sincere, and that indeed she owns nothing (but that car and her straight-A's record), so I couldn't help but accept. Besides, I wasn't going to buy the car...just have it registered under my name. So we obtained the Bug's registration documents and opted for new ones at City Hall. The procedure didn't take more than five minutes; It was a breeze.
Two days after Thanksgiving break, I heard a frantic knock on my apartment's door. I had just woken up, and was ready to perform Dhuhr Prayer before answering the door. And there she was; with her roommate and boyfriend. She was crying, and her company were desperate and confused.
"What happened?", I asked.
"The Beetle was stolen two days ago."
I thought I was dreaming for a second, but then realized that I've just woken up and got slammed into a brick wall! Stolen? How? Why? What's going on here for God's sake?!
Before asking all these questions, I maintained my cool and courteously invited them in and directed them towards the sofa. Then I asked to be excused for a short while to perform the prayer. I went in my room and prayed with fervor. After that I supplicated: "O All Mighty, PLEASE grant me an exit from this disaster!" I seriously wasn't prepared for encountering any kind of crap other than that in my assignments.
I went back to the living room, and the atmosphere was almost charged with hysteria, but a subtle one. I then asked my friend to tell me how the Bug was stolen. It turns out that she and her boyfriend were filling the Bug at a gas station when a man started approaching them to examine the car. He remarked that the car is cool, but it needs some tune up to be amazing. So Anthony (that's what he called himself) offered to tune up the car for her. Reluctant at first, my friend gave him the keys after showing her "valid" identification and signing a short agreement with his offer and that he will return it the next day. So two days have passed, and no sign of Anthony. She and her boyfriend made a short visit to Anthony's "garage" to check things out, but it appeared that no one by the name of Anthony has ever worked there. Conclusion: That bastard stole the car!
We decided to call the Police, and man, that really gave me a scare! I mean, I don't actually own the car! What am I supposed to tell them? The policeman arrived 5 minutes later and entered my crib...I felt like an extra in a Law & Order special. I was just standing there distributing smiles or concerned expressions when appropriate. My friend handled the talking. The policeman concluded that this is not a theft because she willingly gave Anthony her keys, so all she can do is wait for him to bring her car back "as he promised". My friend went hysterical. I stayed calm. All I could do was offer some false comfort that everything will be OK. I had no guarantees...But then I did pray for an exit.
A day later, a roommate of hers was sitting in a window seat while taking a bus to school...As he was pondering at the scenic views of Oahu, he spotted the car parked on a kerb several miles away from their home!! He immediately gave her a call and told her the exact location of the car and she could not believe it (neither did I). She and her boyfriend went to that location, only to find the car parked there with all its windows rolled down...Anthony was sleeping in it! LOL! Anthony wasn't a car mechanic, he was a homeless hobo! He gave her the keys and begged for her forgiveness, and she, with the big heart she always enjoyed did just that. As a token of his gratitude, however, he handed her the Bug's gearshift...He broke it while sleeping. That cost her $150 to fix, but at least she got the Bug back! She sold the car a month later and got a good sum for it. I finally released myself from its ownership. :)
So, moral? Don't lose faith in your Lord. Supplicate, it doesn't take that long and it's free. And don't trust any stranger with your car...If they own a workshop, take their business card or location and give them a visit during working hours to check it out.
Keep The Faith folks!! :P
Two days after Thanksgiving break, I heard a frantic knock on my apartment's door. I had just woken up, and was ready to perform Dhuhr Prayer before answering the door. And there she was; with her roommate and boyfriend. She was crying, and her company were desperate and confused.
"What happened?", I asked.
"The Beetle was stolen two days ago."
I thought I was dreaming for a second, but then realized that I've just woken up and got slammed into a brick wall! Stolen? How? Why? What's going on here for God's sake?!
Before asking all these questions, I maintained my cool and courteously invited them in and directed them towards the sofa. Then I asked to be excused for a short while to perform the prayer. I went in my room and prayed with fervor. After that I supplicated: "O All Mighty, PLEASE grant me an exit from this disaster!" I seriously wasn't prepared for encountering any kind of crap other than that in my assignments.
I went back to the living room, and the atmosphere was almost charged with hysteria, but a subtle one. I then asked my friend to tell me how the Bug was stolen. It turns out that she and her boyfriend were filling the Bug at a gas station when a man started approaching them to examine the car. He remarked that the car is cool, but it needs some tune up to be amazing. So Anthony (that's what he called himself) offered to tune up the car for her. Reluctant at first, my friend gave him the keys after showing her "valid" identification and signing a short agreement with his offer and that he will return it the next day. So two days have passed, and no sign of Anthony. She and her boyfriend made a short visit to Anthony's "garage" to check things out, but it appeared that no one by the name of Anthony has ever worked there. Conclusion: That bastard stole the car!
We decided to call the Police, and man, that really gave me a scare! I mean, I don't actually own the car! What am I supposed to tell them? The policeman arrived 5 minutes later and entered my crib...I felt like an extra in a Law & Order special. I was just standing there distributing smiles or concerned expressions when appropriate. My friend handled the talking. The policeman concluded that this is not a theft because she willingly gave Anthony her keys, so all she can do is wait for him to bring her car back "as he promised". My friend went hysterical. I stayed calm. All I could do was offer some false comfort that everything will be OK. I had no guarantees...But then I did pray for an exit.
A day later, a roommate of hers was sitting in a window seat while taking a bus to school...As he was pondering at the scenic views of Oahu, he spotted the car parked on a kerb several miles away from their home!! He immediately gave her a call and told her the exact location of the car and she could not believe it (neither did I). She and her boyfriend went to that location, only to find the car parked there with all its windows rolled down...Anthony was sleeping in it! LOL! Anthony wasn't a car mechanic, he was a homeless hobo! He gave her the keys and begged for her forgiveness, and she, with the big heart she always enjoyed did just that. As a token of his gratitude, however, he handed her the Bug's gearshift...He broke it while sleeping. That cost her $150 to fix, but at least she got the Bug back! She sold the car a month later and got a good sum for it. I finally released myself from its ownership. :)
So, moral? Don't lose faith in your Lord. Supplicate, it doesn't take that long and it's free. And don't trust any stranger with your car...If they own a workshop, take their business card or location and give them a visit during working hours to check it out.
Keep The Faith folks!! :P
posted by Hesham @ 11:51 AM
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