That Extra Mile
(The Entertaining Speech, Advanced Speech Project #1 in The Entertaining Speaker Manual, Aug.9,2006, Kimberly-Clark Phils., San Pedro, Laguna. Evaluated by Lolet Gabay ATM-S)
(The Entertaining Speech, Advanced Speech Project #1 in The Entertaining Speaker Manual, Aug.9,2006, Kimberly-Clark Phils., San Pedro, Laguna. Evaluated by Lolet Gabay ATM-S)
INTRODUCTION
Way back when I was 24 years old, I had a wonderful opportunity – and that was to go work in the United States for 3 months. The US office for the company I worked for needed temporary help to finish a critical system in the US.
Being one of the more experienced programmers in the Philippines office back then, I was selected to help them.
BODY
Excitement Build-Up
I was excited! And why not? I was young and it was my first time to ride a plane, go abroad and to the United States at that! I had the month of December to prepare. The name of my boss at the US office was Bala - short for Balakrishnan.
From the name of the person, I imagined that he’s Indian. Near the end of December, Bala emailed, telling me that he’ll pick me up at the San Francisco airport on the first working day of January. I answered, “Great”.
With that in mind, I looked forward towards my flight on the 1st week of January.
On the day of my flight, I was ready. I was wearing cargo pants. Do you still remember what cargo pants are? Cargo pants have several side pockets so huge you could put dinner plates inside.
On the right leg pockets were my travel documents and email printouts about the trip and the assignment. In one pocket were photocopies of these documents and on the other pocket, a second set of photocopies. Yes. I.. WAS.. READY.
After the 15-hour flight, I finally landed at San Francisco International airport. Passing US immigration was a breeze. Like I said, I was ready.
Arrival at the Airport
Well I saw a guy holding a placard with my name on it! And immediately, I felt I was a VIP! But the guy holding the placard wasn’t Indian at all. No, he was white, an American with golden blond hair! Maybe my boss was really an American with and Indian name!
In my excitement, I put on my company id. I rushed to him, put out my hand for a handshake and identified myself, showing him my ID card. The guy looked at me and said, “Well Hi! I’m Jim Bradley from the Budget Rental Car company.”
(raise eyebrows) Jim? Rental Car Company? I asked him, “Where’s Bala? My boss?”. He said "Well, I don’t know, I’m just here to give the rental car keys to you.”
We decided to wait for Bala who was probably looking for me. After 30 minutes, still, there was no Bala showing up. It was then when I thought that maybe, there was a change of plans. Maybe Bala asked the rental car company to see me instead.
My heart sank a little and I showed Jim the address of the apartment where I was to stay. I asked if he could at least take me there. I knew it wasn’t his job to do that, but I was desperate. Jim looked at the address and shook his head.
He said “Wow, this is a long way from here, buddy. Around 2 hours maximum.” My heart sank even lower. Then I said. “Mr. Jim, I don’t have much driving experience. This is my first time in this country and I don’t know anyone here. Please help me.”
Jim looked at his watch. It was 11 in the evening. He looked at the address for a long long time. And then he looked at me, smiled, and said, “Let’s go.” And we left the airport.
Long Drive
At first, the trip from the airport seemed forever. While he was driving, Jim noticed that I was very quiet and worried. He engaged me in a light conversation and asked about me, my job, the Philippines. We even had a few laughs along the way.
After an hour and a half we reached the general area but we cannot locate the exact address of the apartment. I told him I had a phone number of our US office but it was late in the night.
Jim suggested I check-in to a motel for the night and then call my US office the following day. Jim helped me check-in the motel. Once inside, I remembered I had Bala’s home phone number also.
We called up Bala from the motel and then I learned that he looked for me at the airport but we simply didn’t see each other. Bala promised to fetch me the following day from the motel. Jim didn’t charge me a cent and before he left, I thanked him profusely.
And for the first time, I was relieved – able to finally rest and sleep.
Letter of Praise
The following day at the office, I learned that Bala sent a nice letter of commendation to the Budget Rental Company for Jim Bradley, the Head Driver. The letter, in part, read as follows: (read letter, then long pause)
CONCLUSION
I never forgot about Jim. After my 3-month assignment, I decided to call him before I took my flight back home. The receptionist who answered at the San Francisco branch said that Jim no longer worked there and asked me who I was.
I told her my name and said I was just a satisfied customer. The lady became quiet for a while and said that they missed Jim. She said Jim had to be transferred because he was promoted from Head Driver in San Francisco to become Manager in the new Sacramento branch.
That well-deserved promotion made me so happy for Jim. I kept remembering him and the events on my plane trip back home. Jim was a person who was passionate in his job and was willing to go an extra mile.
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