Driving Test

Mike's workweek dragged on. They had managed to organise one midweek band practice. Linda was behaving normally now. He felt the band was playing more in-sync again. It was the day of Xiang Ling's driving test.

"Hi Mike." Xiang Ling greeted Mike at the breakfast table. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I've finished eating. I assume you would like to drive to get your eye in."

"That would be good."

"I'll just clean my teeth. See you in a minute."

Xiang Ling entered the garage via the studio door and got in the car. She recalled her seating position, she was somewhat shorter than Mike. Mike jumped in the passenger seat.

"Let's go."

The garage door opened by remote control and Xiang Ling drove off smoothly.

"I don't have any real hints for your test. When I took mine, they were very fussy about checking in your rearview mirrors. I had pretty good peripheral vision so I ended up loosing points for not being obvious about looking in the mirrors."

"That's a good tip, so make sure to move my head about a bit?"

"That's right. It's important to be very smooth. I was kind of a bit aggressive when I was younger and I tried my best to drive like on old grandma during the test. My instructor said if I'd driven like I usually did I might have failed. The examiners don't like people who seem too confident."

"I was intending to be smooth anyway."

"They might try and trick you into breaking road rules. Instructing you to do a U-turn where they aren't allowed for example. You have to be careful because if you don't obey their directions you will be penalised as well."

"So only comply if their directions are legal. Got it."

They arrived at the testing centre. Xiang Ling went to the counter to find her examiner. Mike sat in the waiting room. He watched as Xiang Ling left with a middle aged man in tow.

***

"This is nice car Miss Ling." The examiner Mr Nelson observed.

"Thank you. It belongs to my friend."

They got in the car and fastened their seat belts. "There is a problem Miss Ling, this car doesn't seem to have a manual handbrake. I'll have to cancel the test."

"It's alright Mr Nelson, I checked in advance, although the handbrake is electronic, it can be manually operated by this control on the centre console, within your easy reach."

Xiang Ling indicated the control. "You pull it up to apply the brake and press it down to release the brake." Nelson's hand seemingly accidentally brushed hers as he reached for the control, but it lingered too long.

"That will be fine then Miss Ling. Let's proceed. Pull out of the car park and turn right."

Xiang Ling studiously checked her mirrors and backed out of the parking spot, indicated correctly and headed to the car park exit.

"I hope you're not nervous Miss Ling, I'm here to look after you. Everything will be fine."

Xiang Ling was getting the idea that Mr Nelson was a total sexist creeper.

"It's Ms. Ling actually Mr Nelson." Xiang Ling corrected him.

"My apologies. Turn left here."

"I can't Mr Nelson, it's a no entry one way street."

"Well done."

The test was proceeding normally and Xiang Ling had made no mistakes, then she was instructed to pull into a quiet cul-de-sac and stop the car.

"I'd like to help you out with a passing score, but I'm afraid your driving is a bit subpar," Nelson started.

"Oh, how so?" Xiang Ling sounded surprised.

"However, if you look after me, I can look after you." He stated while indicating his crotch region. "Do you get my meaning?"

"I get your meaning very clearly." Xiang Ling replied in an icy tone.

"You want that license right, it won't hurt you to be nice to me."

He unzipped his fly and flopped out his penis. "Do we have a deal?"

Xiang Ling wondered how many women this creep had pulled this stunt on before.

"No deal."

Xiang Ling started the car and headed back to the testing centre.

"I'll fail you. They won't believe you."

They arrived back at the testing centre.

"Get out," She ordered.

Mr Nelson got out and beat a hasty retreat to the building, no doubt in a hurry to give his side of the story first. Xiang Ling paused to downloaded the footage from the car's internal cameras to her phone. She proceeded to the waiting room to collect Mike and brief him on what had transpired.

"I don't believe it Xiang Ling. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I guess he thought you were here alone. I should have come to the counter with you."

"It's okay Mike, let's get this sorted and make sure he never does this to anyone again."

They went to the counter and asked to see the senior person in charge of the examiners. Eventually someone came from the back office. Mike had already called the police to report the case of indecent exposure. During the delay the police had already arrived. Mike and Xiang Ling gave their statements and showed the police the footage. The supervisor had no choice but to take the complaint seriously.

Mike furiously demanded Xiang Ling be assigned another examiner and be retested immediately. The supervisor acquiesced. Meanwhile, the police went to the back office and hauled the handcuffed Nelson out.

The new examiner was waiting for Xiang Ling. Mike gave her a quick squeeze.

"Good luck."

"Thanks Mike. I'll be back soon, with my license!"

The second test was uneventful. Xiang Ling returned waving her probationary license.

"I got 100%"

"Well done, I think I only got 96%."

"Let's go home. I've lots to do now. I should buy a car too!"

***

The last band practice before the Anime Music Festival was just winding up. Mike grabbed Danielle before she left.

"Is it okay if I get Ian to give us a hand on the night? You mentioned before you didn't want it getting out at work that you were playing bass."

"It's fine, Mike, I don't work there anymore, it doesn't matter."

"Great. I'll word him up tomorrow at work."

"I guess we'll need our own permanent crew in future if we start getting regular gigs."

"I'm sure Ian would be happy to keep doing it if we pay him."

"You use Ian's van too, right?"

"Yes, he has a van."

"We should get a van for the band."

"All in good time. Let's see if we manage to get a second gig first."

"Such a pessimist."

"Goodnight Danielle."

"See you on Saturday, I guess we're all meeting here in the afternoon?"

"Correct. I'll take my car as well as the van.

"Nite Mike."

Danielle left the studio via the garage.

***

On arrival at work Mike headed straight for Ian Robinson's cubicle.

"Morning Ian."

"Hi Mike, what brings you into the office today?"

"I wanted to catch up. Are you free this Saturday?"

"Yes, nothing planned. My social life is a bit lacking isn't it?"

"You said it, not me. The band has another gig. Can you give us a hand?"

"Sure. Need the van?"

"It would be helpful."

"You haven't been in for a while, what's been happening?"

"We have a bass player and a guitarist now."

"So did that Linda ended up joining?"

"Yes. We've been trying our best to turn her into a rock guitarist."

"Who is the bass player?"

"You're not going to believe this, it's Danielle Peterson."

"Wow, I had no idea she was a musician."

"She apparently played bass in a band with her university friends. Gave it all up to start the company with Becky. Now that that's all over, she's been itching to get back into music."

"I'm looking forward to seeing Linda again, she's so hot."

"The other piece of band news is that Xiang Ling is down from Sydney and will be playing with the band in person."

"So you won't be using the robot anymore?"

"Actually we will still use it for some songs. Xiang Ling is multitalented and can play several instruments including drums. We'll have the robot fill in on drums when Xiang Ling plays MIDI guitar."

"Cool, I can't wait to meet her in person."

"I guess I should mention, she's staying with me at the moment, sleeping in the spare bedroom."

"You lucky dog."

"The gig is Saturday evening in Brunswick. It's the Anime Music Festival. We're opening so we will need to be there quite early for set up and soundcheck. So if you could come round to my place on Saturday afternoon, that would be good. I promise we'll get some crew next time."

"That's fine. I don't mind at all. It's interesting and I get to hang with hot chicks."

"If you're that interested, we could pay you for your time on an ongoing basis."

"I'll think about it. This one's on the house though."

"Great."

"Danielle huh? I thought something was going on. All those sudden meetings in her office and leaving together for lunch. If she didn't swing that way, I'd have almost thought you were starting an affair with her. Band stuff. Now it makes sense."

"Actually she swings both ways, but you didn't hear that from me."

"Really? You didn't did you?"

"No, of course not. See you around 4 P.M. Saturday then?"

"Roger."