Randy — Prankster @ Deira
Part 2 of 3 part series
It is late afternoon on a hot summer day in Deira. Randy and I are strolling near the Abra station, where wooden boats transport passengers across Dubai Creek for a small fee. Our path runs alongside Baniyas Road, facing shop windows, and the breeze from the creek provides some relief from the scorching heat.
The Dubai Municipality has excavated trenches along the road for civil works, which have narrowed the pavement significantly. Unfortunately, no safety barriers are next to the deep trench, making it potentially hazardous. Despite the limited space, commuters cautiously navigate through this bustling area. Randy and I blend in with the crowd as we walk along.
We notice a peculiar man in a dishdasha ahead of us. He exhibits strange behaviour, leaving us puzzled by his erratic movements and gestures. He appears nervous and on edge, frequently ducking and hesitating to proceed. Intrigued, we become curious about the cause of his peculiar actions.
Across the way, we spot a man walking a Border Collie on a leash. It becomes evident that the dog is the source of the man’s erratic behaviour. The man with the dog approaches our side of the street. In the next few moments, he must pass the dog nearby on the limited pavement. The man before us finds himself in a predicament with few options. He cannot retreat since a row of tightly s behind him. His choices are limited to either leaping into the nearby ditch or navigating his steps while facing the dog, both unfavourable prospects.
Randy and I have had experiences with dogs in Sri Lanka, where they were an integral part of our lives. Yet, even with our familiarity, we struggle to comprehend the unfolding drama. We watch the spectacle unfolding directly before us, finding it amusing and novel. Unaware of the poor man’s distress, the dog owner continues walking with his obliviousness on the other side.
With reluctance and anxiety evident in his movements, the man in the dishdasha manages to pass the dog. As he crosses paths with the dog and its owner, he twists and shivers, reacting as if seeing a ghost. Feeling somewhat safe afterwards, he repeatedly glances back, concerned that the Border Collie might attempt to bite him.
Randy, ever the thrill-seeker, finds amusement in any situation. I can see him smirking as he observes the unfolding events. Meanwhile, the man in the dishdasha, feeling the urgency to distance himself from the perceived danger, hastens his pace, frequently checking behind him to ensure he’s out of harm’s way.
After a few more steps, we leave the construction works and the ditch behind us, and the pavement widens again. The man continues to cast anxious glances over his shoulder, imagining danger lurking behind him. At this moment, my friend Randy springs into action without divulging his intentions. He quickens his pace, sneaking up behind the man in the dishdasha. Suddenly, Randy bends down and lets out a series of barks, “Bow, Bow,” repeatedly.
Chaos ensues. Caught off guard, the poor man doesn’t have a chance to turn around. Believing the dreaded dog is right behind him, ready to sink its teeth into him, he hastily gathers his dishdasha up to his knees and bolts forward, unintentionally pushing people in front of him. He runs for his life, displaying a speed I have never witnessed before.
This true story may sound cruel today. But back then, in the early days of Dubai in the 1980s, two curious lads who grew up with dogs did not know any better. To this writer, Randy, my lifelong friend, was a prankster who could devise many ingenious ways to amuse and thrill in ordinary ways.
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