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    Interview with a Roof Rider
    Par Amara Djubate

    Amara: (shaking hands somewhat hesitantly with the Roof Rider) Mr… Uhh…. I'm sorry what was your name again?

    RR: Petit.

    Amara: Excuse me? Could you repeat that?

    RR: Petit.

    Amara: No, no, no. I'm sure people call you that, but surely you must have a name?

    RR- Don't call me Shirley. Like I said already, my name is Petit. If I did have a carte d'identification it would say Petit.

    Amara: Okay, okay., -Please forgive me. I didn't mean to insult you.

    RR: No offense taken. Let's get on with this interview. I may have to leave right away should 10 more passengers suddenly arrive. And of course that could happen at any minute.

    Amara: Quite Right. Any minute, tout de suite, sisen sisen, chop chop, in a New York minute, Achtung, Baby, Andale Andale YeHaaaaaaa!

    RR: Exactly.

    Amara: Ah bon. Okay, so moving along, what role do you as a roof rider play in the grande scheme of Guinean transportation?

    RR: Well, we pretty much just sit on the roof.

    Amara: Isn't there more to it than that? I always thought you were like assistant mechanics or at least taxi driver apprentices?

    RR: (nods his dust covered head) I can see how you might think that. No, in fact, we just sit on the roof so the vehicle looks better.

    Amara: So the vehicle looks better?

    RR: Yeah, the old cars and vans we use in this industry don't have any kind of hood ornaments so the drivers stick us up there as a status symbol.. Some people in the past have tried welding little Christmas Ornaments onto their vehicles but that's just not practical during the rainy season.

    Amara: So the chauffeurs with two or three roof riders are the Big Cheeses, the MacDaddies…

    RR: -the GRANDE PRESSIONS.

    Amara: Interesting. Tell me, Petit, what plans do you have for the future?
    You look to me to be about 14 now, which would mean you'll be ending your career shortly.

    RR: No, in fact, I'm 37 years old. I've been roof riding now for some 26 years and I probably have about 20 years more of riding left ahead of me.

    Amara: But You look so young!

    RR: The dust Stunts Our growth and development.

    Amara: I'm sorry to hear that.

    RR: No worries, mate. Regarding my future plans ... I'm not sure what I'll do. I'm pretty good at sitting around doing nothing and looking aloof.

    Amara: You should give some thought into being a functionaire.

    RR: I'll do that.

    Amara: Well, Petit, I think that's all for now. Once again, thanks for taking time out from your busy schedule. Bonne Voyage and Allah I kan da.