INTOTHE PAST WITH PAIN...212

IN TO THE PAST WITH PAIN…212
Dr K Prabhakar Rao

(Gandhi, Patel and Nehru are seen at Putaparthi. They are in the queue to pay respects to the mortal remains of Satya sai Baba )

Patel. Bapu. The line is never ending. There are lakas and lakhs of people thronging this place to see the departed Baba.

Gandhi. true. But what to do. We have to see him.

Patel. Bapu. You are a VIP. We must be allowed priority Darshan. Look all Tom dick and Harry Netas are sitting beside the casket of Babas body. Are we less than them.

Gandhi, The problem is that we were VIPs long ago. We are no more in power and lime light. We died long ago and forgotten

Patel. This is bad.

Gandhi. Have patience.

Nehru. At this rate it will take another one week to see the casket. Theya re not going to allow the body lay there for many days.

Gandhi. Let us wish best.

( In the mean time many people push from behind. Some fall on Gandhi and Gandhi tumbles down. He cries)

Gandhi. eee..eeee.. I am hurt. Guys have pushed me down. Iam old and weak. They do not have any consideration for age.

Nehru. Bapu. This is a great confusion. No one sees reason

( The pushing continues and many police guys arrive. They announce on mikes)

Inspector. Behave guys. Have patience. Do not push or we act

Gandhi. Police Bhai. Look. We are old. Look how they are pushing us.

Inspector. You guys will not listen to good words. I have to show you.

Patel. What will you how my friend. Please control the crowd.

( Police suddenly swings into action and rain blows with lathis. They swing lathis in full force. Gandhi, Patel and Nehru are hurt in the lathi charge. They fall down and many fall over them. Police guys still beat them and kick them with shoes).

Inspector. I have been telling and warning for the last many minutes to behave. You have forced me for this action.

( The crowd with draws and Gandhi is unable to get up. Patel and Nehru slowly help him to rise and they take him to a side)

Gandhi. What is this. Why are we beaten black and blue? Are we some criminals? Is this the way they behave on this occasion? I shall go fast now itself

Patel who bothers for you.

( In mean time some people gather around the trio. They are Ramesh, Narayan, Hanumanth. They appear to recognize them)

Hanumanth. Bahi. You appear to be MK Gandhi.

Gandhi. Iam Gandhi. Your father of nation. They are Patel and Nehru.

Hanumanth. We are very un happy that You guys are beaten by Police

Narayan. Police do not see reason. Whoever is standing is beaten

Gandhi. Eee..ee.. My legs are paining. My hands are swollen

Patel. Look. We in fact deserve VVIP treatment. But no one bothers.

Nehru. Forget all this. Better we leave this place. We will not be able to see Baba.

Gandhi. We can never see Baba. He has already left for heavens.

Nehru. Then let us go back.

Patel. No .. No.. This is not fair. We have come all the way. I shall Talk to police.

( Patel goes to Police)

Patel. Look. Police Bhai. We are Gandhi, Nehru and patel. You know us. Plesae allow us to get in on priority.

Inspector. Look. You guys are not VIP. You are ordinary men and common people. Common people are like gun fodder to us. They have to nbe treated the way we have shown you.

Patel. Please do not be so harsh. I was the first Deputy PM of India. This guy Jawaharlal was the first PM of India. Of course you know Bapu. He was father of nation./

Inspector. Plesae do not tell all these things to us. We only recognize central ministers, State ministers, MLA, MLC, Congress party President and some opposition party men. Rest all are just crap. Just go away or you had it. I shall repeat lathi charge..

Patel. Ohfo No. Better we leave. We are happy to see Baba on TV screen.

Inspector. You are wise. Please go.

(seeing the commotion a MLA comes to them and inquires)

MLA. What is the problem.?

Inspector. These guys say they are Gandhi, [ Patel and Nehru. They want to get in like VIP.

MLA. Do not allow them in. They appear to be some tricksters. You guys. You have dressed well. But this is not the time to beg.

Patel. We are not beggars. We have come here to see Baba .

MLA. Then stay in line and wait.

Patel. Look. You know who we are. How can you be some crude?

MLA. This is how we act. You guys are saying you were Gandhi, Nehru nad Patel. They died long ago. How can you fool us.

Patel. You shall never understand this.

MLA. Better you vanish or stay in line. You may be of some security risk. Where is the guarantee that you are not terrorists. We have to be extra careful as PM and Somina are arriving. Inspector, Hammer them and send them out.

Inspector. Sure sir. I shall do what you say. Hammering is our job.

Gandhi. No Thanks. We go at once. Patel . Let us go.We can meet Baba in heavens. He will be already there.

( The trio vanishes suddenly)

Inspector. Where are these guys? They just vanished in a second. Are they some magicians or satans. It is better they left.

Hnaumanth. Look Inspector. They are not ordinary beings. They are divine. You failed to recognize. They are spirits of Gandhi, Nehru and patel.

Inspector. Spirits! Oh No.

( Inspector runs away while all laugh to their belly full)

CURTAIN FALLS