A Blog begun years ago as a stroll on the Funny Side of Serious
Street, highlighting India's problems. Revived by adding memories of old
Bombay, including excerpts from Dreams of One Country.
FIRST DATE FIRST SHOW
Excerpted episode from Dreams of One Country - 1
(An old Bombay Scene)
Collegians packed the Sterling’s
lobby. Norman
waited, suspecting more deception. When Cy ran up the steps he heard in the
caverns of his mind music akin to 20th Century Fox’s triumphant
trumpets announcing the Next Attraction. At this first outing he
was a rank amateur. His arm muscles twitched at the lightest touch on the
armrest. Distractions surrounded them. Paper bags popping to celebrate screen
clinches. Wisecracks. And the love calls of a pair of human koels - the
male’s rising “ku-oo, ku-ooo, ku-ooo” in a melancholic crescendo; the female
replying “keeek-keeek-keeek” and breaking into a flirtatious shriek – had the
student crowd in splits. In the foyer at the Interval Norman
glared at louts ogling Cy with glutinous eyes. She had three meat patties in quick
time. He ordered three more. Chimes invited them in. Irma la Douce began.
‘I doubt you’re getting your money’s worth,’ said Cy. She smiled into
screen glow.
He was admiring her profile. ‘I am.’
‘Of the movie, yaar.’
‘In any case,’ he reminded her, ‘you spent for the tickets.’
‘Not me. My boss. Ra (for Rakesh). He had an unexpected board meeting. So I…’
So Norman
shut up. In the taxi going back, his lips itched to kiss her. They stopped at
her Cuffe Parade office. In a last chance gamble
he clutched her arm. Cy – not too politely - withdrew her precious limb. They
stepped out into a mellow January sun.
‘Bye, Norman,’
she said. ‘I think you’re funnier than Shirley Maclaine.’
‘Cynthia, wait! Will I see you at the Ecs (the restaurant where he was a crooner in the band) soon?’
‘That depends.’ She stepped away.
‘On what?’ he called out.
‘Your imagination.’ She ran past the glass doors, out of sight.
Cynthia Lawson left him quivering. Back to Ra, he grouched. Great
executive god in his carpeted shrine!
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My novel Dreams of One Country - for download on I-phone, pad or computer from Amazon.com - is a moving panorama of young dreams and ideas inspiring India's
people to come together as Ek Desh (One Country) and build a truly modern nation.
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