I managed to get the girl insured. And now that I had all the necessary papers, it was high time to get her registered in Maharashtra. Some preparatory phonecalls to random Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) confirmed that I was to apply at their Worli office.

I wanted to do this on my own, and anticipating a huge rush at the RTO on a mid-week morning, I set off at 0845hrs. Its not difficult to get directions in Mumbai - initially, it was directions for Worli, then directions for Worli RTO. I followed my directions. And reached somewhere. The place was buzzing with some activity. And I thought I was finally there. It was the Traffic RTO. And they don't do registrations there. Was fortunate that the constable at the gate told me where I should be headed - a short ride uphill, right next to I.N.S. Trata, is the RTO (East). Strangely, at 1015hrs, this place was eerily desolate. Praying that it was not a holiday today, I enquired with the chai-wallah. I was asked to hang around for a while, for I was in too early.

The Staff made their entry soon after, but the opening of the counters took still more time. I had managed to collect a copy of the forms required. The Clerk at the window told me to fill the dilapidated sheets with caution, they were the last ones left. The fun was in submitting the meticulously-filled forms in highly-legible hand-writing. The Clerk incredulously enquired who filled them. I don't think vehicle-owners normally update forms themselves. Other than a few unclear fields, I'd fared pretty well on the form-fill exercise.

Despite most RTOs being branded as sloppy Government Offices, the flow here was pretty systematic. I was directed to a numbered window. The Clerk there would update my docs and initial them, and direct me to another window. As I moved from one window to the next, the Clerks had reviewed my supporting docs, computed the fees that was payable, accepted the fees and issued receipts, and finally forwarded my application to the Asst. RTO requesting approval to issue fresh plates, post-inspection of my vehicle. This bit was the most interesting. The Asst. RTO's Attendant accepted my application and told me to return after an hour. It made no sense. I was the first and only person in line. So I hung around at the Counter. As the clock ticked, people appeared with heaps of forms in their hands - they wouldn't wait in line. They'd just walk inside, place the heap with the Attendant and place a random sum of money on the heap. It looked random, initially, until I realized that it was a fixed commission. The Attendant would count the number of applications and charge a proportional sum. I was expecting this, but had no idea it would be this well-organized. The Attendant kept asking me to return later, but I stuck around. I had no reason to move. I had completed all the formalities and only needed one signature. I think it got embarassing for the Attendant watching me stare at him as he collected the commission - and he eventually obliged. Am sure he hated my guts. Now the vehicle inspection remained. It took place around noon and went off smoothly - I had to read the numbers on my chassis and engine. The Inspector matched them with the details on my docs, and added his initials to others already present.

There was only one thing missing - an Affidavit. And he was kind enough to give me directions to the Notary who could issue it. Further, I was told that if I submitted the Affidavit before 1530hrs today itself, all the procedural formalities would be complete. So I followed them instructions, got to Tardeo RTO, found my Notary, got my Affidavit and dashed back.

It was a good feeling. My request for registration change would be complete with the submission of the Affidavit. Most of my friends balked at the very thought of having to visit the RTO. And there was me having this all-time high from not having bribed anybody. In my state of elevation, I rode-on straight, after a brief halt at the Haji-Ali signal in the right-turn-only lane.

I was promptly flagged down by the Traffic cop. My license was taken, and out came the Receipt book. I would need to collect my license the next day I was told. No, the pleading didn't help. The thought of surrendering my license was big time discomforting. So I shyly pulled out this crisp currency note from my wallet and put it into his Receipt book. He gasped 'You'll get us both killed' in chaste Hindi. Ok, confidence returned. I snatched my license back from his hand and he goes 'Why are you in such a hurry?' That was it. Case closed. I was let off. Donned my helmet, and rode silently, back to the RTO(East).

The only thing on my mind was submission of my papers before the deadline. Managed it.