Some would let me go without checking, probably they could easily read the acute hangover of office work writ large on my face. Some would peep into the rolled down window of my car and ask my name. On realising that there is no slurring of speech or I smell more of roti, sabzi or masala dosa with not even a whiff of Old Monk, they let me go.
However the more cautious ones place the alcometer, which resembles the first generation Nokia or Motorola mobile phone, near my mouth and say 'blow maadi'. Sometimes my blows are not strong enough (the thought of contracting some air borne diseases from those alcometers psyche me out) and they would ask me to do so again. After blowing I have to wait with some trepidation (have heard many stories of faulty alcometers) for that all-clear beep sound, which sometimes seems like eternity. Once it happens I get the green signal to go.
While pulling off my car I do see many not so fortunate ones, who happen to land on the wrong side of alcometer reading, lined up on the side of the road. They will be arguing and gesticulating with police higher ups seated inside jeeps. Sometimes I also see cops arguing with two wheeler riders after the test and taking off the ignition keys of the vehicle and ordering the riders to wait on the road side.
These barricades are often put up in close proximity to watering holes like pubs and five star hotels and in junctions which cannot be bypassed. Most of those who land in the police net are the ones returning from parties in their choicest party wear on fancy motorbikes and swanky cars. This is the scene on most Friday and Saturday nights and this drive gets more vigorous if a festival is round the corner.
The other day around midnight on December 30, 2014 near Koramangala Sony signal I was witness to a high drama. As the signal turned green I was about to take a left turn, but a cop with alcometer in hand flagged me down. As I stopped and he was about to say 'blow maadi' a scooter with three guys on it came up and the rider was not wearing a helmet either. Seeing a surefire scope for fines his attention got diverted.
But when he tried to flag them they tried to escape but fell right in front of my car. The policeman too suffered bruises on his shin during his efforts to stop them. His compatriot who was on the other side came rushing to his help. Both rained blows on the trio and took them and the scooter to the other side of road to fine them. I had no choice but to bear witness to all this, as the signal had turned red. However, in the melee the policeman forgot to check my alcohol levels and as the signal turned green once again I left.
Also Read: Random Jottings
