When the phone rang, it was already late in the evening. We were tired after the press conference. Ready to call it a day. But, then work is work and in a small office a missed call may be a difference between having and missing a client. Philip the media coordination cum PR manager took the call.
PHILIP: Hello, Spectrum
CALLER: I am Makija calling from Indian Express
PHILIP: Sir, Philip here.
CALLER: Is this the gift you have given to Devash
PHILIP: Devash, yes sir, we gave a gift at the press conference at Taj Sir
CALLER: Mr. Philip come immediately to our office
PHILIP: What happened sir
CALLER: The gift is ticking- and we have to call the police if you do not report in here and open the gift
PHILIP: Sir it’s a wall clock sir,
CALLER: No further discussion. Are you coming or shall we report
PHILIP: Sir coming sir. Don’t worry. I will come and open the packet. Show you its nothing to worry about. What sir, what you are saying is all rubbish
CALLER: You will come when you will keep the phone down
PHILIP: Okay sir, I am coming sir
With no option available or offered by anyone. Philip took his Bajaj scooter and drove as fast as he could to Indian Express Office at Bahudar Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi.
We had no choice but to wait at the office. It was sometime around 6 PM when Philip gave us all clear call saying that the BOMB been defused. After we knew what the case was, we could see the publications side. This publication was well known for its investigative and anti-government stance. They have had their share of attacks and were cautious in dealing with everything new or out of place at their office.
liveindia.com
So what was the real story? For the press conference a set of wall clocks were bought. To be sure and not get any complain later on from journalist, before gift wrapping every clock was tested at the office by inserting a battery. This was yours truly early learning of having eye for detail and being process perfect. In one of the clocks, just as a joke someone did not take the batteries out before gift-wrapping. As luck maybe, the pack with live ticking clock landed with Ind Express. Though the journalist knew and stated that he had got it at the Press conference, the security at Ind Express decided to take things in their hand.
Philip was called in to defuse this time Bomb. He was alone in the room when he opened the pack. And in his own words he was not really confident if he was opening the genuine gift box. Anything was possible at Ind Exp.
Names of the people have been changed intentionally.
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