Cairo is amazing when it is empty, I gotta tell ya! Really! It is a total different city when it is jammed. You nearly get to notice any beauty aslan.
Anyways, I am basically blogging to share one of the weirdest incidents that happened to me. This morning I received a very odd phone call on my cellular phone from a mid-aged deep voice that calls himself A.N.
Here is what happened:
Pinky: Sir, do we happen to know each other?
A.N: I am afraid not, I am sorry I am calling you on your personal phone but I know where you work and what you do and I need your help that is why I have called early before you reach work.
Pinky: (Ya fata7 ya 3aleem!) Okay, if you know where I work and what I do then you may wish to call me at work, since you will probably talk about business, am I right?
A.N: You are right, but no exactly. It is business but nothing to do with the Office, it is about an unconventional matter!
Pinky: (Giggle) Rrreally?!
A.N: I know this sounds like a hoax but trust me it is nothing like you think!
Pinky: I do not have any reason to trust you because I do not know you and I do not like this and I want to hang up if you do not mind.
A.N: No please wait, just hear me out and I will explain.
Pinky: Okay, I am listening but pardon me, not for long since I am almost reaching work, so kindly make it very short.
A.N: Alright, I am an Egyptian Technician who works at the Ministry of Electricity, Department of Nuclear Power. I have come up with this new invention and I am looking for funds to finance my project from a European country.
Pinky: What kind of inventions exactly are we talking about?
A.N: Mobile Maritime Port…Military one to be particular.
Pinky: (Ana estaba7t bwesh meen el naharda!) Mmm…but this has nothing to do with your work, am I right?
A.N: Not exactly, it is within my area of specialization.
Pinky: and what is _that_ exactly?
A.N: Allow me to explain, what do you do when you get a flat tire, for instance?
Pinky: (Thinking that swearing and then pulling over is not exactly the answer he might be looking for so I say:) I jack up the car to change the flat tire.
A.N.: Correct, the same applies for ships, only difference is that ships need at least 4 hours to be able to park in Ports, which here are employed as a jack to "change the flat tire", and here I mean repair the engine, unload the vessel or even passengers to embark the ship.
Pinky: (Manfookha) Okay, just get to the point please, will ya!
A.N: I have invented a portable port, a "jack" that goes to the ship wherever it may be instead of vice versa. Not only that, but I have also designed a port that is able to submerge under the water, and remain invisible in case of wars, and ascend within minutes back to the surface when necessary.
The guy explains the idea in details, I cannot follow a lot of details but am able to get the picture, finally offers to send documents and manuals and stuff. The idea is very complicated, I am not an expert, of course, but it surely sounds very interesting.
Pinky: (Metsabeta!) Are you sure this is a new idea? Pardon me, but this sounds too simple, and I cannot imagine yourself being a pioneer to come up with it!
A.N: You are right, it does sound like a simple idea, but it is very complicated when it comes to manufacturing. I assure you no one has done anything like that before.
Pinky: Okay, back to my part, now how do you think I could help you with this?
A.N: As I told you before I need a European country to finance this project, I have done a feasibility study and I am positive this is gonna work. I have a maquette of the port along with the How To of this invention, all I need is a sponsor.
Pinky: Sir, you do realise that this is very peculiar, don’t you?
A.N: Listen, I know you think I am another lunatic but I have a real invention here. The first of its kind in the world and I know what I am talking about. Just give me a chance.
Pinky: Have you registered your invention, or do you have any legal proof that this invention is real or that it even belongs to you?
A.N.: That is why I am calling you on your mobile, because this is a Military Port, if I go to register this invention they will detain me as usual.
Pinky: What do you mean by "as usual"?
The guy tells me about previous experiences about at least two other inventions that were stolen by American entities and claims he was finally arrested for a couple of months by the Egyptian Intelligence for having what they called “State threatening ideas” that could jeopardize the security of the Republic!
A.N.: So, will you be able to help me?
Pinky: Of course not! I thought you had realized that from the beginning!
A.N: Why not?
Pinky: I don’t have time to state zillions of reasons that keep me from helping you, however you could walk away with two main ones: 1- My employers deal with public entities and not with individuals. 2- Sir, you should contact an Egyptian authority first to sponsor you before you go to foreign countries, dont you think?
A.N.: Okay, concerning reason number one: I know you can contact people in Europe who would be very interested to take a look at what I have got, and you know that. As for reason number two: I would rather die than see Egypt take any advantage of this project!
Pinky: Sir, I know we are not the best nation to adopt new ideas and encourage inventions, but no pain no gain, you have to go an extra mile if you truly believe in your project, plus (enta matfaragtesh 3ala ra2fat el hagan?!) Dont you love your country?
A.N.: (the guy laughs)You have no idea what you are talking about, let me tell you a little story...
A.N. tells me horrific stories about his experiences with decent top authorities in Egypt whom he tried to persuade to utilize seom of his ideas since 1996, but in vain. 13 minutes of names, ministries, vips, exact dates, places and addresses and finally a person who hates the place that killed every dream and potential he ever had to serve his country, a person who abhors this nation with all his heart.
I hung up stunned. I checked his numbers and address and I verified all the information he has given me. I thought to myself, could this be true? Is this guy genuine fe3lan? Is his invention for real and feasible? Could these horrific stories be factual? Is this the real ugly face of the corruption we are living in this country yet left unaware of? What if what he told me is really true? Why would anyone bare all this hatred for his country? Lots of questions in my mind…
I question the credibility of this whole thing, because I do not think things could ever reach that far, however, the only fact I am sure of concerning this story is that it is one of the strangest things that ever happened to me!
1 comments:
Surreal indeed! But it looks like you have at least one stalker now so watchout.
The corruption in the Egyptian government is real, no doubt about that. But just because part of his story is plausible doesn't mean that the whole thing is. I know there's a little seed of hope inside you that wants to believe him. Don't!! Assuming good intentions and that his story is not entirely fabricated, his idea is certainly complete crap. If I was an inventor I would look for something small that I can build a prototype for and test first. I don't go and invent a spaceship for example.
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