Trip 4: From Tech Building to Alarconia World Financial Center
Carrer del Vallès (Valley Street), 12:38 p.m.
It was a warm June midday and I was inside my taxi with my conditioned air. Outside the car, men and women were smoking outside the skyscrapers that dominated the CBD. They were looking for the shadow while trying to smoke the faster as possible in order to stay outside their workplace the less time possible. Every minute counted on their salary.
While driving along Valley Street, between the Alarconia Stock Exchange and Tech Building, a woman made the signals to stop.
I stopped in front of her and she hopped on.
"Good afternoon, lady" I said in Catalan.
"AWFC." she dubbed "And good afternoon", in Catalan too, but with a terrible accent. I couldn't determine her origin on first sight although it was clearly visible she was an executive. She wore white blouse and matching black blazer and skirt.
"Busy, huh?" I said, starting the car and leaving Tech Building behind. I needn't have to use the GPS device to go where she said. AWFC (Alarconia World Financial Center) isn't a building more. It is The Building. The tallest in Alarconia, the most prominent, the one that everyone knows because everyone in the island has seen it sometime. It is outside the CBD, built in a former park. It isn't surrounded by another buildings so that makes it more prominent. It holds a large amount of companies, most of all, financial firms and luxury offices.
"Yes, lots of work today" said her, looking something in her iPhone.
We were leaving Tech Building behind. It is the result of the foundation of AtlanticTechCorp in 1965. The Universitat Politècnica de l'Atlàntic (Atlantic Technological University, popularly called Atlantic Tech) patented a new invention, the "pollution catcher" that reduced dramatically the levels of NOx and SOx in the athmosfere near it is situated. For the commercial exploitation of the invention, Atlantic Tech created a for-profit company called AtlanticTechCorp that would produce and commercialize the universities inventions.
When she stopped talking on the iPhone, I asked:
"Do you work for AtlanticTechCorp?"
"Yes, I do."
"Tell your fellows that the Pollution Catcher in front of my flat is not working anymore..."
"How do you say?"
"Just kidding..."
I turned left, taking Carrer del Mil·lenari (Millenium Street), kept driving through the purest CBD. We had left behind buildings like Millenium Tower, 43 Tower, Jaume I Building... This was the place where all skyscrapers had a unique name.
Jackson Building stood at our left hand, when my customer asked a weird question:
"Do you like your job?"
I was shocked.
"Yes, I guess. Do you like yours?"
"No."
"What do you do?"
"I'm AtlanticTechCorp Senior Vice President of Industrial Design"
"Wow... And why do you don't like it?"
"It started when I was more time sitting with shareholders than in the factory or in front of the computer designing our products."
"Lots of people feel they aren't made for this kind of jobs... You know, the ones on the top of the pyramid..." I said.
"I studied engineering in Atlantic Tech and was the second in my promotion..." said her, trying not to be arrogant. "What I like is designing or checking the production inside the factory. But, unfortunately, I've gone to high in the pyramid, as you say..."
I turned left now, taking Carrer Diagonal (Diagonal Street). In the midday there aren't traffic jams.
"I don't care what happens with our shares! I care about our products!"
We passed over the Diagonal Street historical rail crossing, the only one that existed in the city center, heading to Carrer de Correus (Post Street). I could see the AWFC from here.
"Why you go on with this job?"
"I don't know... Although I don't like it, it's the only thing that keeps my mind busy."
"I guess you're going through a tough time..." I said while running on the roundabout in front of Alarconia Central Post Office. It was an old building placed in a corner, with a characteristic round façade and a neon billboard on its top.
"I have split up with my boyfriend".
"I'm sorry"
"Not your fault..."
We crossed beneath the Autopista, entering in Les Planes District (Plain District).
We remained in silence for a while, since we entered in the district. Now, we were running on the Universitat d'Alarcònia (University of Alarconia) main campus.
"It is very strange..." she said.
"What?"
"As a taxi driver, you must have heard lots of things..."
"If I told you..." I replied, pretty sure "I should have a confidenciality policy or something like that..." she laughed. I had made her laugh. I took Carrer de l'Universitat (University Street)
There were some students sunbathing in the campus grass during a brake. I preferred staying inside my car, at 20 ºC. It seemed that my customer was more comfortable now, she seemed much more relaxed. I turned the radio down and focused in driving, while realizing that the Alarconia World Financial Center had grown since the last time I had looked at it.
"At least today it's Friday..." I said, trying to speak about something.
"I'm not having weekend this week..."
"Why?"
"I'm flying to Frankfurt tomorrow morning... You know, company issues..."
"I can carry you to the airport, if you want..."
"No, thanks, I'll go by Metro or urban rail."
"They are my greatest rivals in this city."
"You have to admit that taxis aren't cheap."
"You would be surprised if you knew what amount of money we retain..."
We went besides the Urban Rail line 0 elevated tracks and took the first turn to the right, Carrer de la Unió (Union Street). Now, we were very near the AWFC.
"So you have travelled a lot..." I said, continuing the conversation.
"Well, the most times not for touristic purposes."
"Would you recommend Frankfurt?"
"I haven't seen it fine, but it's a nice city... Are you planning your holidays?"
"Yes... I always try to do a good journey"
"Mountain or sea?"
"City."
"You're always in a city... The entire Alarconia is one huge city..."
"Maybe it's for this. I feel comfortable in this way. I like knowing other cities..."
"Your favourite?"
"I have gone to Barcelona three times, one when I was a child and twice later... I always stay some days with my family while doing some tourism... And New York City. I simply was amazed..."
I turned right to AWFC Road, built ex-profeso to provide an access to the building.
I parked where I was allowed, inside the building, and stopped the taximeter. 22.50 AL$. She decided to pay by credit card and gave me 2 AL$ as a tip. With her credit card, she gave me a business card that said: "Atlantic Technological Corporation, Katherine Pallarès & Morrisson, SVP Industrial Design". It depicted her phone numbers and e-mail adress. She had written another phone number on the reverse.
"If you want to have a cup of coffee or simply talking with somebody, call me after this Sunday..."
I was shocked. She said goodbye and hopped off the taxi, towards the AWFC atrium. I stayed a couple of minutes with her business card on my hand 'till I kept it on my wallet, thinking about what had just happened.
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