The characters
1 Kunjan ( 45) a rubber- log loading worker
2 Ammini ( 40) his wife
(In front of Kunjan's small house. It's early in the morning.Ammini is sweeping the yard. Enter Kunjan,limping.
He supports himself with a long stick. He has a bandage around his right leg. He looks very tired,and in excruciating pain. His shirt is
torn, he
is unkempt, and he has no shoes. Ammini doesn't recognize him.)
Ammini
Hey,who is there ?
Kunjan
It's me,Kunjan, your husband.
Ammini
Oh, my God! What happened to you? I thought you are a
beggar.
Kunjan
What happened to me beggars description.
Ammini
Come on, tell the truth. Where have you been for two days?
Kunjan
It's a long story. (he sits on a small bench). Have you got
anything for breakfast ?
Ammini
There's nothing. I have no money. And you left without informing
me.
Kunjan
I'm very sorry.It all happened.
Ammini
What happened? Tell me straight ,without beating about the bush.
Kunjan
Ammini, please give me at least some black coffee.I'm totally
exhausted and hungry.
(Ammini exits )
I have paid dearly for my misadventure. I regret the moment that I
agreed to go to Trivandrum to join the agitation against Mani Sar.
I should have consulted Ammini. I am really a shumbhan ( idiot)
( enter Ammini with a glass of black coffee.He drinks it eagerly
and heaves a sigh of relief)
Kunjan
Now I shall make a clean breast of what happened. I went on a trip to Trivandrum, to take part in the siege of the Kerala Assembly, spearheaded by the LDF.
Ammini
What's LDF ?
Kunjan
Lost Democratic Front.
Ammini
Ok.Then,
Kunjan
We laid siege to the Kerala Assembly, to prevent Mani sar
from presenting the budget. In the beginning,it was real fun, shouting slogans, beating drums, hurling abuses ,singing parodies
etc etc. Then chaos broke out.Somebody had hurled a stone at the
police. It was hell let loose. There was water cannon, tear gas and baton charge. I was cornered by a cop,and severely beaten.I lost
my cell phone and my sandals. ..Havoo...it's really painful. I must
go to a Vaidyan ( doctor) for massage.I am afraid, I can't go to work for at least one month.
Ammini
Serves you right. How many times have I told you not to follow
the words of the politicians, blindly and slavishly.They are pakka
liars and cheats. You took part in the failed 2013 siege of the
Secretariat to oust OOmmen Chandy,and came back with your tail between your legs! Was it not enough? വേലിയേൽ ഇരുന്ന
പാമ്പിനെ എടുത്ത് കോനകത്തിൽ വെയ്ക്കേണ്ട
വല്ല ആവശ്യവും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നോ ? അനുഭവിക്ക് .
Kunjan
Ammini, please, don't rub salt on a wound.I have learned an
unforgettable lesson. Forgive me.
Ammini
What about your expenses? Did they give you some money?
Kunjan
They gave us free transport and food. Kappa and beef. And they
promised R 500 per day. But now they say they can't pay because
the campaign failed. What to do ?
Ammini
For the last time, promise me that you will never dance to the tune
of any political party.
Kunjan
( holding Ammini's hands ) I hereby promise that I will never be a puppet of any political party. I will never join any campaign
for lost causes. Please make some hot water. Find some kuzhampu
( oil) and apply on my leg. Havoo...it's really hurting.
Ammini
Don't worry. I'll do that.
( Curtain )
Comments
Post a Comment