Vangeli’s Revenge, Mandouki - Corfu
by Linda David Mutlow
To understand the national character of Corfu, you need to now how they see themselves. Many base their character on the impoverished and downtrodden, getting the better of the world around them by sheer cunning. They’re impulsive, boastful, impatient, inventive and very quick in their sympathy. Yet their tolerance (of the outside world) and charm is world renowned. They admire fairness, toughness, resourcefulness and most of all a self-deprecating humour with an element of the perverse. Yet officially they wouldn’t admit it.
Vangeli’s Revenge, Mandouki - Corfu - Corfu Magazine - Vol. 6, No. 1, September 15, 2009
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My one and only head to head confrontation was in a boat yard in Mandouki. I’d worked in ‘Spiros' Boat Yard’ for 3 months and got used to the buffoonery that frequently went on. Although I was employed by Spiros may manager was Vangelis. A good hearted man but frequently impulsive with an explosive temper. I’d learnt to appease his good nature and avoid his dark side… or so I thought.
Vangelis had just returned from London seeing his children and estranged wife. It had not gone well! He even missed his return flight back to Corfu because a London Cabby left him in a housing estate in Hounslow (a London suburb) at 5am in the morning. We in the yard guessed why but said nothing. Anyway the English were not his favourite people by the time he got back.
“Davey! You have not been working hard enough! Since I’ve been away”
I was perplexed, my work rate was one of the best while others had fallen by the wayside, Greeks included. Looking around I see Costas under another keel lifting his eyes up to heaven giving me a grin of support. I say nothing and continue working.
Vangelis continues to pace around the yard muttering to himself, repeating his argument with the London Cabby days before and curses me for being so slow.
“I take 2000 DRX from your wages tomorrow because you have worked so slowly!” This was a step too far… so I argue the merits of employees trusting their employers in the future. Things escalated…
“I pay you nothing!” says Vangelis. Which he repeats and no attempt at reason would persuade him otherwise. Now I’ve lost a full weeks wages for arguing about money I’d already earned. I’m astonished and angry and felt hard done by. It was too great to ignore and the argument intensifies.
A ‘Red Mist’ of anger descends upon me and Vangelis seeks refuge by climbing up onto a speedboat and pulling up the ladder.
My chance of getting my hands around his neck and dragging him into the sea vanished as he stood grinning like ‘Lord and Master’ on top of the speedboat.
I walk over to his recently washed car and open the side door facing Vangelis over its roof.
“You will pay me my money or I’ll piss in your car!” That got attention; Spiros and Costas start to approach from behind looking very concerned. Looking back I waved them to stop with the wag of one finger. Which they do! The audience grows…
Vangelis dares me with threats of retribution, no pay and the usual obscenity. However he can only see the top half of me from his position on the boat.
“Keep your money! This is worth it!” I say and do a convincing job in his car.
Well the reaction was dramatic. Volcanic Vangelis is off that boat like a monkey heading straight for me. Slowly I back up folding my arms.
My act of fake sabotage had done the trick. The audience including Costas and Spiros with their perverse sense of humour rolled around amongst the keels of the yachts as Vangelis ‘fuming’ storms off into the distance.
I had to go. My manager wouldn’t work with me so with regret, Spiros paid me out of his own pocket promising a good reference for the future.
David Mutlow is a Commercial Photographer, Travel Writer with a passion for sailing amongst the Greek Islands. He's spent 4 years living in Corfu and 2 in Athens. Track Back: http://www.greekisland-hopping.com/
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