Onto the Stage - Slighted Souls and other stage and radio plays by BS Murthy (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

Then I would stand guard (PAUSE) Look, how the guy is frantic for some help. It’s clear his car broke down and he would’ve left the jack in his garage. 

PRATAP: Let’s find out.

SFX- Indicating the stoppage of the car.

PRATAP: Hi, what’s the matter?

RAGHU: Lift up to Hayatnagar please.

SEKHAR: Vimala, don’t mind accommodating him.

SFX - Opening and the shutting of the car door.

RAGHU: Thank you madam. I’m Dr. Raghu.

VIMALA: Never mind, I’m Vimala. He’s Pratap and he’s Sekhar.

PRATAP: Doctor, you may know her daughter Prati is a doctor in the making.

RAGHU: Nice to know, in which year is she auntie?

VIMALA: Pre-final in the Gandhi Medical College.

RAGHU: I did my M.S. in the Osmania.

VIMALA: What a chance meeting.

RAGHU: It’s my pleasure really.

PRATAP: No less ours, meeting a young and handsome doctor.

SEKHAR: Possibly an eligible bachelor.

RAGHU: I can only say I’m a bachelor.

PRATAP: When it comes to eligibility, you might have heard the saying. It’s for the mother-in-law to know what a good son-in-law one makes.

RAGHU: I’ve heard the father-in-law version.

PRATAP: What difference does that make if one is not snubbed?

SEKHAR: Having a doctor at home is fine. But at corporate hospitals   it’s like you are thrown at the wolves.

RAGHU: No denying sir, but do you know why it is so?

SEKHAR: Whatever be the provocation, I don’t see any justification. Oh, how they short change you at every turn. Why the unwarranted tests and the uncalled for hospitalization. By the way, when did a doctor last felt his patient’s pulse by hand? Bemoan the society with doctors without integrity?

RAGHU: I will come to that later but our problem is our selective condemnation. We speak of political corruption, baeuracratic kickbacks and business bribes, but not in the same vein. We don’t see the corrupt spring from our midst but don’t descend from Mars.

SEKHAR: Don’t tell me, you can put judges and doctors on the same footing.

RAGHU: Why do you want place them on a moral pedestal raised on an immoral ground. Don’t they see others take an unholy dip in our polluted waters? It’s stupid to expect they go home dry and clean. What about our dual morality. We’re critical of corruption but not our corrupt caste-men.

SEKHAR: All that is fine, but why the fleecing at the corporate hospitals?

RAGHU: If you know about the capital involved and the return on investment, you get the answer. Have you ever thought why healthcare has become a corporate business in our country?

SEKHAR: That way you can explain away every shortcoming. 

RAGHU: I’m talking about specifics. You know our people and politicians alike bankrupt our country. We as a people evade, if not avoid, paying taxes. You know how the politicians are ruining our economy with their populist schemes.

SEKHAR: Well India is no Utopia.  

VIMALA: Bhadru, used to say corruption makes us collectively poor  Well, Raghu, he’s my late husband. (PAUSE) You could’ve heard about the engineered accident of an engineer.

RAGHU: Who didn’t, but who thought I would meet you some day.

VIMALA: Maybe, that’s life all about, it makes and breaks. Back to the corrupt, they won’t have it easy any way. One may have a Benz but it doesn’t help much on our congested roads. It goes like that with everything else.

SEKHAR: It won’t be easy for Raghu till he clears the mess in the corporate hospitals.

RAGHU: In the no-profit-no-loss hospitals of our own Gates and Buffetts.

PRATAP: Would our doctors like to work in such hospitals?

RAGHU: Why not, if they get their due and the patients are not billed unduly.

PRATAP: What if I provide money, would you run the show.

RAGHU: What a fillip that would.

VIMALA: Are you into it already!

RAGHU: I run a twenty-bed hospital at Hayatnagar.

PRATAP: It’s my word and money is no constraint. Give her your contact number and we’ll call you up.

RAGHU: I have no words uncle.

VIMALA: I’ve enough words of praise. 

PRATAP: Vimala, know I owe it your inspiration.

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Oh, you too live in Hyderabad. What are your parents?

RAGHU: My father owns a couple of bulk-drug units in Hyderabad. My mother is a full time housewife and part-time accountant at my father’s office.

SEKHAR: With such a pedigree, you can’t deny your eligibility.

RAGHU: Why are you after my bachelorhood sir?

PRATAP: Caught in the shackles of marriage, he’s jealous of your freedom

VIMALA: Is it that you want to be shackle-free.

PRATAP: The saying, do as I say but don’t do as I do, goes with me too. To tell you the truth, I’ll be happy being a netted fish.

VIMALA: Empty words, what do you say Sekhar.

SEKHAR: He’s deemed right till you prove him wrong. 

VIMALA: It’s stupid of women to expect justice in an all male court.

RAGHU: Don’t feel let down aunty. I’ll assert you are right till Pratap uncle proves you wrong.

VIMALA: (OFF) Buddhu, you’ve played his card.  It’s good you’re not a lawyer.

PRATAP: Vimala, you know I’m a game.  

(PAUSE)

SEKHAR: Looks like we’ve some trouble on hand. Why the traffic came to a halt. Don’t you see the police are all over?

RAGHU: Oh, we’ve almost reached my hospital

SFX – the sound of the door opening and closure.

PRATAP: Could be a traffic jam.

SEKHAR: You don’t know, police are hardly seen in such times. It could be a major road mishap or worse.

SFX – the sound of the door opening and closure.

RAGHU: It’s a Naxalite attack on a police convoy near my hospital. It seems, landmines blew away a couple of vehicles. No way forward now for me too.

VIMALA: I think we should go back.

SEKHAR: What do you say Pratap? 

PRATAP: I’ll go with Vimala.

VIMALA: What if I say, I’ll go with you.

SEKHAR: It will be a case of pehle app and missing the bus.

SFX – Car being reversed amidst the chaos.

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Sekhar, what about train tickets?

SEKHAR: It’s slipped from my mind.

VIMALA: So, forgetfulness helps.

PRATAP: And remembrances too.

SEKHAR: Now it helps to go back.

SFX - Sound of picking up speed.

 

SCENE - 8

 

EXT – continuation of the journey in the hustle and bustle of the vehicular traffic

SEKHAR: The Naxal trouble is back for worse. Didn’t our government claim they fled to Chattisgarh with broken backs? 

RAGHU: If they’re weakened in one area, they strengthen themselves in another. West Bengal first, Andhra Pradesh next and now it’s Chattisgarh with Orissa being the only constant menace.

SEKHAR: I don’ see how anyone in his right mind can believe that a band of brigands can capture Delhi by hiding in the jungles.

RAGHU: You know too much disparity in society leads to revolution with topsy-turvy as ideology. Gaining political power has always been the goal of revolution to bring about the change and the revolutionaries see bloodshed as the means to serve that end. The only drawback is the danger of death, but then, it’s the narcotic of martyrdom. What to say, sensitive minds with utopian dreams resort to senseless killings.

SEKHAR: Maybe, it was the case before; we were not even born then. Now assorted characters fill the Naxal ranks. Oh, the way they arm-twist businessmen, Naxalism is nothing but extortionism. That’s not all. It could’ve been a hard grind earlier in their jungle hideouts. And now, with women cadres around the Naxals don’t miss out much of life.   Can’t you imagine the jangal me mangal. I say, the social fringes are better off in deep jungles.

RAGHU: It’s true but it’s not the incentive. I think it’s the moral kick they get as gun-wielding Naxalites.

SEKHAR: But why should they kill the police? After all, it’s the poor who join the police force.

RAGHU: I don’t think they have an answer. It’s a dichotomy of their ideology.

SEKHAR: Don’t tell me there ever was an ideology of social parity. What about communism? Banish the czars to make the proletariat the czars. What do you say?

RAGHU: I say the bourgeoisie got it right.

SEKHAR: I think Naxals should realize democracy is the best bargain for the poor in our bad world. But then, if they get into our democratic circus they too would become corrupt buffoons. 

RAGHU: My father says, earlier, people were better off with karmic theory. The poor believed the rich were rich because of their good deeds in previous births. That way, without envy, people tried to be good for a better rebirth.

SEKHAR:  But was it not anti- progress. 

RAGHU: No, theory is about progress in order and not chaos in progress as we have now. In a way, we had thrown out the baby with the bathwater. .

SEKHAR: But do you subscribe to your father’s old values?

RAGHU: Well, we were brought up on that diet; I’ve a younger sister, Swarna.

SEKHAR: What’s your sister doing?

RAGHU: She’s in the final year engineering.

PRATAP: Why, the biggest ‘graduate engineer’ factory in the world is in India 

He could’ve called you up. Located in South India. (PAUSE) I don’t see my car here. Hopefully Raju could’ve moved it to a repair shop.

SEKHAR: Oh these guys are bloody stupid. Why didn’t he call you? 

RAGHU: He’s a sensible fellow. Of all the days he forgot to carry his cell today. And you know there are hardly any public telephone booths these days.

SEKHAR: That is all about giving with one hand and taking with the other. Well, for good or bad, Dhirubhai’s dream of seeing a cell in every Indian hand is on hand. (PAUSE) Pratap, what’re you dreaming about?

(PAUSE)

SEKHAR: Vimala.

(PAUSE)

SEKHAR: What’s this conspiracy of silence?

VIMALA: What’s the matter?

SEKHAR: Raghu, excuse me doctor for dropping the prefix, I find it …

RAGHU: You’re welcome sir.

SEKHAR: Vimala, he belongs to your school of thought.

VIMALA: Nice. I hope he has a lesson or two for you.

SEKHAR: Were in your dreamland or what, that’s what he has been doing. (PAUSE) What about you Pratrap?

PRATAP: It’s good you dropped his prefix; why not help me drop my suffix.

VIMALA: Why make it Greek and Latin?

SEKHAR: He’s desperate to turn an Indian from an Indian American. 

VIMALA: Let him apply for the visa and then I’ll see.

PRATAP: Vimala, is there a standard format?

VIMALA: Boy, be a little imaginative.

SFX- Thudding sound of a head-on collision. (PAUSE)

 

 

SCENE - 9

 

EXT – Accident site, Sekhar, Vimala and Pratap shout for help.

PASSERS BY: Catch him, the lorry driver is on the run. (PAUSE) The fellow next to driver would’ve surely died. (PAUSE) Miracle he’s still alive, pull him out fast.

SFX- soundtrack of the hustle and bustle of rescue activity.

VIMALA: Are you okay Pratap (PAUSE) why don’t you talk? (PAUSE)

Raghu see what’s wrong with him.

(PAUSE)

RAGHU: Nothing to worry, he’s in a sort of trauma, that’s all.

VIMALA: Thank God.

SEKHAR: He bore the brunt, it’s a miracle really.

RAGHU: I see a little concussion here but it’s minor.

VIMALA:  Raghu, what about shifting him to hospital.

RAGHU: No need auntie, he can rest at home.

SEKHAR: Wait, I’ll find some vehicle.   

VIMALA: Be quick Sekhar.

(PAUSE)

VIMALA: Raghu, are you sure there’s no danger?

RAGHU: Relax auntie.

SFX – An approaching car and its coming to a halt.

RAGHU: How lucky, it’s my car.

VIMALA: Oh, really! (In high pitch) Sekhar come back quick.

(PAUSE)

RAGHU: Slowly …

VIMALA: Are you okay Pratap.

PRATAP: (Feeble tone). It’s paining here.

RAGHU: Is it severe?

PRATAP: It’s some pain.

RAGHU: Bear it for a while. (OFF) Raju stop at the Raja Medicals.

SFX – bang of the car doors.

SEKHAR:  I’ll join you soon.

VIMALA: Why, what’s the matter.

SEKHAR: I’ve to report to the police.

VIMALA: But how can we leave you alone.

SEKHAR: Don’t bother about me, take care of him.

VIMALA: Know he’s in safe hands.

RAGHU: Raju be with uncle and handle the police for him.

RAJU: Ji.

SEKHAR: Thank you Raghu, hope to catch up with you soon.

SFX – opening and closure of the car door (PAUSE) Starting of the car engine and speeding of the car.

RAGHU: Auntie, you make him lie down. I see, more than medicines, he needs a reassuring touch. If you don’t mind..

(PAUSE)

PRATAP: Thank you Vimala, but..

VIMALA: Be quiet or suffer a parody of Saigal’s lullaby, soja raja kumara soja.

PRATAP: As you tap me to sleep.

VIMALA: One more word, I’ll bang your head.

(PAUSE)

SFX – Stoppage of the car.

RAGHU: I’ll get some medicines for him.

VIMALA: And a bottle of mineral water, all to be billed later.

RAGHU: Hopefully to uncle’s hospital.

VIMALA: I tell you, he means what he says and does what he means.

RAGHU: I think you are no different.

SFX