300 feet. I know you are probably thinking this is another stunt I pulled while driving around Italy, but this time the jokes on me.
In Italy, it’s all about service at the pump. Instead of allowing the auto-motorist to fill up their own vehicle they have decided for safety reasons that trained gas pumpers should do it instead. Therefore, Antonio, while smoking a cigarette, walks up to my car in his greasy overalls and asks for the key to unlock the gas tank. With the distinctive throaty voice of a chain smoker, he asked me “pieno?” (which translates to “fill ‘er up?”) I responded with “si, grazie” and then proceeded inside to purchase a candy bar. After paying the absurd 94€ gas bill, I gave a fair well salute to Mr. Dbag Antonio and headed on my way.
After about 150 feet I made it back on the highway and started to eat my snickers bar when I noticed someone pulling up beside me in the fast lane honking their horn and pointing frantically behind me. I took a look in my rear view mirror and my car had magically turned into a coal burning locomotive. Black smoke was bellowing out from all angles, and started seeping in through the doors. 200 feet out the car lost all functionality and I coasted another 100 feet where I waited till the smoke cleared before I went back to the gas station… Antonio must of missed class on diesel day.
400€ later, I had my car towed to the mechanic and took an hour taxi ride home. Tomorrow I’ll have to sort out how I’m getting my car back…
