Enter the office (welcome to France Part II)

Thales, a very large firm that does a lot of high tech things, is what I would have described the firm as a few days back, but after the few minutes of reading on the Delhi airport, I’d describe Thales as one of the largest defense equipment manufacturers in the world having a presence in a lot of countries with a very large and highly developed legal cell. So 2pm on the 11^th of May I was standing at the gate of Thales, Bordeaux. Along came a young French lady by the name of Crystel who escorted me to inside the premises and into a building, while telling me that this is the first and last time I shall be permitted to enter this building, adding apologetically that it was no fault of mine but being a non-French I could not be allowed to enter the building un escorted. She then took me to what she called the security wing of the company. There a kind gentleman asked me to sit on a stool and switched on some lights here and there with an umbrella positioned someplace he asked me to perform my best smile, yes they had a fully functional photo studio in that place. Then while some machine was doing something in the background I was explained the do’s and don’ts of the place.

Rule number one: you may not come to office before 0720 hrs also you may not stay after 1930hrs.

Rule number two: this is a military grade security building you may not enter it, your office is a little far away.

Rule number three four and five: in case of emergency call this number in case of fire call this number, and in case you see someone spoiling the environment call this number.

Then I was asked to sign some papers which basically said that if I invent something, its theirs as long as hey give me some credit for it. (I am so not inventing anything).

And finally I was given my ID card; yes all that jazz and all. It’s a proper card complete with a magnetic strip that opens doors and has a very stupid looking picture of me on it nicely placed in a protective holder with that small clip thing that you attach your clothes.

Rule 0: Oh BTW this card must be visible at all times when you’re in the premises.

Signing a few more documents they had for me I was taken to the office.

A few minutes walk from the gate through a lush green forest like area revealed a line of small cabins just next to the restaurant or the mess. Walking along the cabins we reached the last one. She asked me to swipe my card there and I did, the door opened. The door actually opened because I swiped my card there :D . Behind the door I enter a room that’s almost double the size of my hostel room, a couple of tables a few chairs a computer lying in the middle. She says this is your office, I hope its ok? The only thing I can say its it’s lovely. Later when I’m alone in the room I sit on the chair, it rotates and moves around, and then I examined the computer, beautiful 21 inch LCD with a decent processor and all, only trouble is that the OS was in French not that I could not work it but then they allowed me to bring my laptop so why not.

And thus I was introduced to ‘my office’. :D