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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1996

There is not much to distinguish this day from any other. Except, maybe, the fact that I am supposed to drop my father-in-law at the station tonight. He has to board the Tamil Nadu Express.

By the time the sun sets, my bones are telling me it's been a long day. I'm glad to be home. My father-in-law is safely tucked into his berth and all I want to do is hit the sack. I open the door only to hear the phone ringing. I glance at my watch! And am immediately irritated. Who on earth is calling me at 11.30 in the night?

"Hello?"

"Yes!"

"May I speak to George Abraham?"

"May I know who's calling?"

"This is Jimmy Mogal..."

Jimmy Mogal? The Coke man? What was he doing calling me at this hour?

"Yes?"

"George, do you have a visa for the US?"

Do I what???

"No!"

"Can you get one by tomorrow?"

"But..."

"You see, you've been selected as a torchbearer for the Atlanta Olympics by Coke. We'd like you to leave for the States on Friday."

I am stunned speechless. But I somehow manage to let Jimmy know that I will try and organise a visa.

The minute Jimmy hangs up, I am on the phone with the American embassy. In my hand is a fax that has just arrived from Coke -- it is formal invitation to join the Indian Olympic torch relay team.

"I need a visa to the US. I have to get to Atlanta. You see, I've been selected as a torchbearer for the Atlanta Olympics."

The person at the American High Commission sympathises with my situation.

"Yeah, okay. Why don't you come over to the embassy with a demand draft for Rs 720? Put in your application before 10 in the morning and we'll see what we can do?!"

Man, is this easy.

DAY TWO