Car Insurance - Turning Tuscan: A Step-by-Step Guide to Going Native - page 140

proceed, he reads the choices aloud and then picks one. He looks briefly toward us with a
questioning shrug, and we nod back with a slight shrug as if to say, “Sure, why not? What
the hell.”
Forty-five minutes later we shake hands, I thank him profusely and encourage him to con-
tinue with his English studies, and we're off to the nearest ACI in a neighboring town.
There are six people waiting in line in front of us at the window. Half an hour later, Marco
and I have shared our life stories and are discussing Berlusconi's latest escapades when,
finally, it's my turn.
We hand all the car documents to the clerk, including the sworn statement from the cara-
binieri. He asks for all my myriad forms of personal identification and enters the informa-
tion into his computer. I'm almost starting to relax when he asks for an official document
with my corporate address. I could find something at my office or at my accountant's office
that would satisfy him, but it's not stuff that I typically carry around in my pocket. I try to
reason with him that our corporate address is already on all of the car documents, and that
there's no reason that he should need to verify it again. But he refuses to budge and tells
me that I'll have to return when I have the required documentation.
At this point Marco steps in and asks if he could speak with Signora Donatella for a mo-
ment. She comes over and they greet each other with friendly informality. It's clear that she
and Marco are old timers who have been at this for some time, and the clerk is the new kid
on the block. Marco explains the situation to her, and she says that the auto dealership has
already faxed a copy of my business license from the Chamber of Commerce a few days
ago, so not to worry. She'll take care of it.
We head back to the dealership. I now have everything in hand that I need to let go of the
old car and welcome the new car. I give the Volvo a kiss goodby and thank it for all the
years of reliable and safe travel. I put the high-tech card-key in the special slot, push the ig-
nition button and drive off in my new Renault Scenic. It's dark outside. It's taken me from
November 20 th until January 7 th —including seven hours on this final day—to pick up my
car, but I'm on the freeway headed back toward Siena. The heater works; the radio works.
Life is good.