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worry.” The next morning, we showed up at his office and gave him the list of names. He said with a smile, “It is practically taken care of,” and I felt renewed optimism (carrot). I called my Russian friends and assured them that they would receive their visas by the next day.
The telex did not arrive, and my friend and helper in Delhi had to leave for Singapore (obstacle). I was le to my own devices. I called a number of offices at the Indian Ministry of Homes to see if the telex had, in fact, been sent. People were irritated with my persistence; I could not get a clear answer. Call, call, call, wait, wait, wait. Finally, I received assurance that the telex had been sent (carrot) but no one could tell me by whom or when (obstacle). I was beginning to become frantic.
I called the Indian embassy in Moscow and got through to them loud and clear (carrot). No telex had arrived (obstacle). I called the telex people in India and told them. They seemed unconcerned and continued to assure me that they had sent the telex. Wait, wait, wait, call, call, call. The telephone bill was geing larger and larger. Distress was mounting. Again I called the people in charge of the telex. I asked if they had sent the telex. I was assured that they had (carrot). Then, in desperation, I asked, “Is there any way that you can be more sure than sure?” A disgruntled voice sternly replied, “Sir, you are unnecessarily wasting my time.” I heard a loud click.
I had arrived in Delhi on July 3 hoping to return on July 5. As the drama unfolded, my hope of a return date turned to the sixth, and finally, a slim hope of the seventh. “Why so much trouble when doing a Swami project?” I thought. This lesson must be very profound! Knowing this truth did not ease the pain much.
Yes, no, yes, no, almost, not quite, almost, not quite—the scenario unfolded in this manner until the last minute. Aer my repeated calls, the telex people were so angry with me that they would no longer talk to me. I turned to my now close buddy in Moscow, Russian psychiatrist and friend Misha, and he decided to make one last aempt.
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