"It's been a year now, Singhji" "Aren't you over it yet?" "Hasn't the wound healed?" "Who says it hasn't?" "There's no need for words, you're not what you were" "You're a warrior's son - you have the blood of Pratap Singh in your veins" " That's just the trouble" " How do you mean?" "That blood won't let me accept betrayal lf one wife has left you, then get yourself another" " Why not?" " That one will run away, too" "I've had enough of them" "She left because she wanted money." "If you had money, she'd have stayed" "Mr Budha's monopoly service ruined your business" "That's why she left you" "Yes..." "I suppose you're right" "Let's shake on it" "Fifty-fifty partners." "Singh-Naskar and Company" "You're a champion driver, I'm a champion mechanic" "Let's see which bastard can beat us" "You know how tough it is on your own" "Then one day you'll stab me in the back?" "How do I know you're not a bastard?" "Whatever gave you that idea?" "Just because your ancestors fought on horseback does that make you a nobleman?" "You're just a driver, I'm just a driver" "You have a Chrysler, I have a Chevrolet, but we both carry passengers" "No." "No partnership" "All these bastards are cheats" "Think it over once you've calmed down" "Get in." "Mind the step" "Mind your veil" " No springs poking out of the seats?" " Grandpa, you hurt my feelings" "We're not going" " Not going?" " This car is going nowhere" " No women in my car, I said" " But she's a bride, Singhji I'll complain to the police." "You won't be a taxi driver for long" "What if we miss our train?" "I'll take you there, come on" "Abhijatrik presents" "ABHlJ AN (The Expedition)" "Based on the story by Tarashankar Banerjee" "Waheeda Rehman, Soumitra Chatterjee" "Ruma Guha Thakurta, Gyanesh Mukherjee" "Charuprakash Ghosh, Robi Ghosh" "Shekhar Chatterjee, Reba Devi" "Do you think we'll catch the train?" "Ask Singhji" "Will we catch it?" " How should I know?" " lt's your car." "You ought to know" " lt's in God's hands" " But the wheel is in your hands I said it's in God's hands" "You heard what Singhji said?" "And accidents?" "Cinematography:" "Soumendu Roy Art Direction:" "Bansi Chandragupta" "Editing:" "Dulal Dutta" "Screenplay, music and direction:" "Satyajit Ray" "Damn it!" "We won't catch the train now." "Enjoy the fresh air" "Our train's going to flash past." "No more need for your heroics!" "Listen to me" "Address him with respect." "If he gets mad, his hand starts shaking" "Really?" "Have you seen Vyjayanthimala dance?" "That's how the car will move" "Faster!" "Get in quick!" "Hurry!" "Isn't that our train?" "That's our train" "Do you think we have a chance now?" "A crank start?" "You drive" "I'll take a nap" "Some ca// me w//d" "Let t/em ca// me w/at t/ey want" "Why are you tooting?" "He won't let me pass." "It's Mr Budha" "The bastard!" "Stop the car" "Move across" " Who's that behind us?" " One of our taxis" " What insolence" " He doesn't realise you're with me" "You want a monopoly service?" " How long have you worked here?" " Four years, sir" "You'll find another place." "I have cancelled your licence" " Why is that?" " You know why!" "You think you're doing circus stunts with your car!" "Overtaking like that!" " Sir, I didn't realise you..." " lt makes no difference ln my district you don't put people's lives at risk" "Sir, just this once..." "Shut up. I won't hear another word I admit I was wrong, sir." "My job..." " Don't hit her" " Why not?" "She messed up my job" " lt's your fault, too" " My fault?" "What did I do?" "Couldn't you see who was in the car?" "Are you blind?" "How could I?" "Even you..." "They never let you stand on your feet" "And if you do, they knock you down, break your legs" "Stop your service, take away your permit" "They've taken away the permit?" "For a moment I felt like falling at his feet but my heart stopped me" "What stopped you?" "Blood." "The blood flowing in my veins I am of the warrior caste." "Narsingh, falling at his feet" "Here, start up" "Let's go home to Giribraja" " Are you asleep, Rama?" " No, Singhji" "There isn't a worse job in the world than being a driver, is there?" "No, Singhji" "Stop!" " Are you going to Shyamnagar?" " No." "Why?" "I'd be so grateful if you could take me" "This isn't a taxi I'm asking for your help" "The stupid driver overturned the cart, our luggage... I said this isn't a taxi, it's a private car" " l'll make it worth your while" " What do you mean?" "Twenty rupees" "Twenty-five" " Twenty-five" " Agreed" "You idiot!" "I'll break your bones!" "Gulabi!" "is she going as well?" "Yes." "No one else, just her" "Rama, leave the luggage." "Let's go." "But why?" "She's my new maid lt will cost you double l'll pay." "By the grace of God, Sukhanram is not short of money" " Half in advance" " Of course." "And five extra" "Hold this" "Driver, how much does your car cost?" "Ten thousand" "Singhji, look to your right." "Those are the rocks of Shyamnagar" "Watchman!" "Hariya!" "Open the gate" "That's enough" "Take the luggage, Hariya" "What about my money?" "Messing up my plans" "Money?" "I'll give you your money." "Come in for five minutes" " Have a drink" " What sort of drink?" "You did me a big favour." "Now come inside" "Take her inside" "Where are you?" "I won't give you twenty." "I'll give you..." "Here." "Fifty" "Sit down" "Are you returning to Giribraja to start work?" "Yes, maybe I could help you start a taxi service from Shyamnagar to Panchmati" "There's no taxi service here" "Why would you make it easy for me?" "I have a business." "Deliveries, tobacco and stuff" "A car will come in handy for me" "You saw what happens with an ox cart" "That's why I suggest you stay here I'll arrange a place for you" "And if your car needs any repairs, I'll pay for that, too" "Get a permit and start a taxi service" "Once you start making some money, you can repay my loan bit by bit" "When you're up and running, you can deliver some goods for me" "Simple as that." "No inconvenience, no problem, nothing" "Would you like it?" "Take it" "You don't have to answer right away." "Take your time, think it over" "Stay here today and look around, see what the roads are like" "See how many other cars there are" "Make a few trial trips to Panchmati" "Then come back and tell me your decision in the evening" "But I can tell you, this is a nice place" "The water's good, you'll have a good appetite, you'll get strong" "Well, Singhji?" "I'll think it over" "Have a drink before you go" "Look at that" " Who does he think he is?" " Wouldn't you show off such a car?" "What's so special about it?" "Even a dead elephant is worth a fortune lt's not just the car, but the look" "A cup of tea" " What did you pay for this?" " Two rupees" "A cup of tea, quick" "He looks like the warrior Shivaji's descendant." "Nitai, come and take a look!" " Have you never seen a car before?" " lt's King George V's private taxi" "Chrysler I mean your car" "is that your car?" " Do you just drive it, or..." " lt's my car and I drive it" " A 1 931 model?" " 1 930" "Give me a tea, quick" "Brother, where are my glasses?" "Are you starting a taxi service?" " Why?" " Just wondering" " Are there other taxis here?" " No, that's all we have" "You'll do well" "You expect to get something out of it?" "Why should I?" "I drive the Sub-Divisional Officer's jeep" "Where are you from?" "I mean, are you a Bengali?" "No, I'm from Giribraja" "What?" "Are you..." "Are you one of the Giribraja Singhs?" "Your name..." "Do you know them?" "Do I know them?" "Have you heard of Prankrishna Das?" "A friend of your grandfather." "He was my grandfather" "My father settled here 25 years ago" "Wasn't he a Christian?" "What an extraordinary coincidence" "Lucky for me. I was hoping to find out something about this place I know." "Come home with me lt's not far." "Behind the Uncle and Nephew rocks" " Behind the what?" " Didn't you see the rocks?" "I saw some on the way in" "Let's walk home." "We can see the rocks on the way" " l'll pay" " How kind of you I'm two months older than you." "My mother told me" "Let's go" "Rama, watch the car" "Sly foxes" "The locals here call them Uncle and Nephew" "When I was a little boy there was a priest Father Wilkins." "He used to frighten us by saying the lower rock is the sinner who carries the burden of sin" "Just think" "All the sins of Shyamnagar are on top of that rock" "Does it look like a village in Bengal?" "I wish I could race a horse here" "They say your grandfather was a great rider." "Do you ride, too?" "More than one horse" " Twenty-six" " Really?" "Haven't you seen my Chrysler?" "Twenty-six horsepower" "Take a look there" "As children we wrote our names on the rocks." "They're still there" " J.R.?" " l'm Joseph Rajani Das" " And the other name?" " My sister" " Are you back already?" " Recognise him?" " You don't recognise him?" " Not really" "Uncle Madhab's son Narsingh, from Giribraja" "He's starting a taxi service lt's so long since I saw him, and my eyes aren't what they were" "He arrived yesterday" "How kind of you to grace our home" " Where's Neeli?" " Indoors" "Sit." "This was father's chair" "Ma, give Singhji some of the cake that Neeli made" "Christmas decorations we haven't taken down yet" "Stay. lt's as good a place as any to start a taxi service I've worked for the SDO for four years." "He'll give you a permit" "What about the other people?" "The drivers?" "They're troublemakers, aren't they?" "Same as everywhere." "Trouble at first, then everything's fine" "You're all right, but if you were Christian I'd advise you not to stay" " Do they get at you?" " Not me, I use my fists if need be" "But my sister, she has to go to the school" " Mary Neelima, this is..." " l overheard everything" "She'll help you fill out your permit application in her lovely handwriting ln English?" "She passed her matric." "She teaches at the school" "Why not show him some of your books?" "This is very good" "Will you stay here?" "I'm trying to persuade him to stay" "My son asked me to bring you cake, but I'm not sure if you would like to eat" "How can I persuade you?" "We were low caste, but now we are Christians" "I never thought about that" "As Neeli had made cake..." "Sit down and eat" "You should stay here tonight" "Why not?" "It's no trouble for me" "And I have something new for you" "Especially for you" "The car will take you back in the morning" "So you have a car now?" "When my back was hurt last night I thought I was being punished for my sins" "But God works in mysterious ways" "He did not forget my good deeds" "A taxi appeared out of the blue" "And with it, an expert driver" "He covered the distance of 80 miles in two hours I decided to keep him. ln my trade..." "Come in, Singhji I can tell from the dust that you've been to Panchmati" " How did you like it?" " The roads are bad I know that" "But I also know they'll be repaired within the year" "My car needs repairs, too" "The brakes, the clutch isn't good and the seats" "No problem" "Tell me how much you need in the morning" "Come in." "Lift your veil" "Singhji, hello" "I saw him in action" " Did Abhimanyu have a beard?" " Sure he did" "You don't know anything." "He died when he was sixteen" "A beard?" "By magic?" "No, that was Abhimanyu's father" "And that is Abhimanyu" "How was it...the trip to Panchmati?" "Good" "So you're working without a licence?" "How long does a licence take?" "He has a Jack in his hand" "What Jack?" "Yes, a Jack." "Can't you read English?" "J for Joseph" "And K for Christian" " How much did he take?" " Nothing" "Liked your face?" "Yes" "He'll get me the licence, too" "My jaws are aching." "The lmambazar restaurant was much better" " You don't like anything here" " The people here aren't straight" " Which people?" " The drivers" "They're jealous, of the Chrysler" "Of course, they'll be jealous I'm competition, why should they welcome me?" "That bus driver threw tea at you, the devil" "So what?" "Remember how it was when we started in lmambazar?" "They calmed down" "Do you know the Christian from before?" "He's from Giribraja" "A low caste, he became a Christian I know that" "But he seems to have forgotten, mixing with you like that" "He drives for the SDO." "He'll help get me a permit quickly" "And the old businessman?" "He's a snake" " What do you know about him?" " l know" " l've been told" " Who by?" "The girl" "Bring me some more bread" "What girl?" "Which girl told you?" "The one he said was his maid" "You've been talking to her?" "She came to the well for water." "She's nice. I told her all about you" " What did you say?" " She asked about you" "She's a bitch, a bad woman" "Talk to her again and I'll kick you out" "Stick to your job, don't worry about who is good, who is bad" "Will you be able to sleep here?" "So much stuff, there's a horrible stink" " You'll sleep here, too - l'll sleep in the Chrysler" "To make sure no one steals any parts" "Who is it?" "Rama?" "What are you doing here?" "Let me stay, just for the night" "I beg you" " They'll kill me" " Who?" "The new fellow, he will dishonour me" "Dishonour?" "Look at this" "What can I do about it?" "No, you can't stay here" "You've ruined my sleep." "Go away I won't do anything, sir i'll sit in the corner" "You "won't do anything"?" "What do you take me for?" "I'm warrior caste." "Do you know that?" "Women for us are..." "Go away" "All right, sir" "If you want to stay, stay in the corner" "If they come looking for you, I'll throw you out" "Shall I shut the door?" "Yes" " With this, too?" " Yes" "It's cold" " Can I say something?" " Again?" "My name is Gulabi" "I'm Rana Pratap Singh" "I recognised your horn." "What have you decided?" " l might as well stay" " Very well l thought so. I have a plan" "The jeep will break down tomorrow" "You'll take the SDO to Panchmati in your Chrysler" "Pick him up at 7:30." "On the way you discuss your permit" " And you?" " l'll be there I'll introduce you, then go to get the jeep repaired" " Where are you going?" " To the school" "Where is your school?" " Have you seen the church?" " Not yet" " lt's near the church - l'll take you in the car" " Don't trouble yourself" " Your brother is coming along I offered to give her a lift" "Yes, you've never driven in such a car" " What happened?" " lt's my fault, I didn't see the tear" "A monkey did it" "Start up" " How long have you had the car?" " About four years" "Brother's never given me a lift" "Never mind, I'll take you out" "A jeep's not much fun, anyway." "You'll see how this car runs I can if you want to go anywhere, tell me" "Can you stop for a minute?" "I didn't realise it was you." "Here is your book" "Singhji kindly gave me a lift" "This is Mr Ajoy" "There's something... I can walk from here" " Sorry about the seat" " Never mind" "See you later" "What happened to his leg?" "As a boy he fell from the Uncle and Nephew rocks" "He was very mischievous, but look at him now" "He spends his time on religion and studies." "He taught Neeli English" "He is a good boy" "He won't be long." "Have a cigarette while you're waiting" " Your car runs beautifully" " Only the seat is rotten" "How it gleams" "Are you staying with Sukhanram?" "You gave him a lift when his cart overturned?" "How do you know?" "I heard about it" "You didn't know him before, did you?" "What's wrong?" "I don't know if I should tell you" "But if you stay here, you're bound to find out" " People say lots about him" " Such as?" "He runs rackets." "His house has been searched a few times" "They once found opium there in some ghee tins" "And there was a scandal about women" "He takes girls from villages, uses them, then sells them off" "I thought it best to warn you, you might run into trouble" " What car is this?" " A Chrysler" "Have you put in an application?" "Not yet, sir" "Send it to me, I'll see it's granted" "Get recommendations from some reputable people" "The lawyer, the doctor and a few others" "Are you a rash driver?" "Accidents happen when drivers show off" "Overtaking right and left, like circus performers" "Press the accelerator, the car goes faster" "Where's the valour in that?" "They say life and death are in God's hands" "But if you run over someone and he dies is that death in God's hands or yours?" "Mine, sir" "So how can you say it's in God's hands?" "God can do as He pleases, but how can you, a man, have the same right?" "Taxi service!" "Come on!" "Those children are rascals" "Many thanks" "You fell off the rocks?" "Yes, once I was naughty like them" "That's why God punished me" "Should naughty children have their legs broken?" "It's a matter of luck" "What's God to do with it?" "If they bother you again, I'll teach them a lesson" "What's wrong?" "Your car?" "The seat has been repaired." "It won't bother you again" " Where are you going?" " To church. lt's Sunday" "Miss Neeli, does your God punish sinners?" "Of course." "All Gods do" "There's a saying in the Bible:" "The wages of sin is death" "Which means?" "A sinner's punishment is death" " So if I sin, I die?" " Yes" " And if I don't?" " Then you don't" "Do you believe in God?" "Well, if I drive past a temple or a mosque I make a salaam" "Don't you pay your respects to a church?" "I will now, of course, as you're a Christian" "Miss Neeli, will you teach me English?" "Me?" "Why?" "I learned some, I can still read a bit, but I want to learn it better" "That's wonderful lf you don't know English, you aren't respected" " People think that you're inferior" " Whoever gave you that idea?" "I know I work as a driver" "You're wrong." "My brother is also a driver" "You own your car, he works for others." "I never consider him inferior" " Really?" " Never" "You don't think I'm inferior?" "Why?" "Behaviour determines whether one is inferior or superior lf you acted as an inferior, I'd think of you as one" " So will you teach me English?" " Of course" "That's our church over there" "Your money" " What money?" " The loan" "What am I to do with this money?" "Take it and set me free" "Free?" "Have I imprisoned you, Singhji?" "In your debt, I'm not free" "Singhji, sit down I'm too dusty" "What if it's dust or dirt?" "Dirt is our business" "Money is dirt and dirt is money" "Sit down." "You're so tall, I'll get a stiff neck looking up at you" "Paramhamsa said it in a Bengali film:" ""Money is dirt and dirt is money"" "What did you want to say?" "What would you do if you were free?" "What I did before ls that all?" "A taxi driver to a taxi driver" "Don't you want to do better?" "Have your own company?" "A partner in a company, doesn't that appeal to you?" "You chug along decrepit old roads" "Some days you make money, some you don't" "Wouldn't you prefer partnership in a transport company?" "I never said I didn't" "Can you start a company on your own?" "Why not?" " Can I ask you something?" " What is it?" "How long did setting up your lmambazar taxi service take?" "About three years" "What if I made you a partner in three months?" "What company?" "A new company, a monopoly service, rock solid" "Lawyer Mukherjee is in with me" "How can I be a partner?" "As if I had the money" "is money everything in this world?" "In business, sometimes you need other things besides money I told the lawyer Singhji has something special in him" "And money has nothing to do with it" "What are you thinking?" "I wonder why you do so much for me" " You're warrior caste, aren't you?" " Yes" "Warriors are brave, aren't they?" "They love the idea of an adventure" "Sometimes they take risks, don't they?" "Yes, sometimes" "I'll give you an address" "Deliver this tin for me, that's all" "Not every day, from time to time" "Today, then again in a few days, occasionally" "What are the risks?" "None, if no one finds out" "That's all." "Now no more questions ln a few days we'll visit my lawyer" "You'll talk things over, sign a few papers then within three months we start our business - that's it" "Then we'll find you a nice woman, you'll get married start a family, that's all, what else is there?" "What's in the tin?" "Not ghee." "Any fool knows that much lf it were, I'd deliver it myself and say " ""Here's the ghee, now fry some chappatis"" "Are the contents illegal?" "Sure, it's illegal" "Singhji, there's something you should know" "Some things are straight, some are crooked." "That's the way of business" "Any businessman who says he's always straight is lying" "When you drive, is the road always straight, or does it sometimes... lf you say it's straight, the deal's off" "What's my share?" "Full partnership, equal partners" "Shall I give you the address?" "Will you deliver the tin?" "Let me see the lawyer first" "Singhji, one more thing" "You're a young man, I understand your needs lf you want something, tell me I have money and beautiful women" "Very well" "What do you want?" "I want to tell you something" "When you leave from here..." " Leave for where?" " Home" "Who said I was leaving?" "A good man cannot stay here" "So I am a good man?" "I spent the night in your room and you left me alone" "You aren't just a good man." "You are a god" "What did you want to say?" "When you leave, take me with you" " Nonsense." "Where can I take you?" " To your home, where else?" "And then?" "On the way you can throw me to the wild dogs." "That's better than this" "He's calling you" "Will you take me?" "I'm not going anywhere." "I'm staying right here" "What a strange world" "An ox cart overturns and there is an accident and now we're at a circus together" " Funny, isn't it?" " Lucky for me" "The day you came home and ate Neeli's cake I knew I had found a friend at last" "What I've had to put up with" "You're a Hindu, I'm a Christian, he's a Muslim" "You fast, you eat pork, you raise chickens" "Why squabble?" "Let's talk about our professions instead" "We're both drivers, Rashid Mian is a driver" "All of us get covered with grease and dirt doing repairs" "Aren't we all the same?" "Why the question of caste and creed?" " Do you drink?" " Yes, but not over there" "Why be scared?" "I'll be right back" " How goes it, Singhji?" " No need to ask him" "Look at his clothes I'd love a pair of trousers like his" "Know what you'd have to do?" "Hang around with that Christian girl" "Who said that?" "Don't expect them to tell you" "I said it" "You didn't" "Why make trouble needlessly?" "Needlessly?" "Carrying on with that Christian girl" "What Christian girl?" "How many Christian girls do you know?" "You want to know which one?" "The one who carried on with the lame boy and now rides in a Chrysler to school" "Good morning, madam" "Step outside" "Hold on to this" "Damn warrior caste!" "Rama, help me get him into the car" " What happened?" " How do you feel now?" "Don't get up" " My car..." " Rama is looking after it" "The bastard." "The cheat" "You shouldn't get into a fight." "Look how badly you're hurt" "Don't mix with such people" "Why did it start so suddenly?" "The bastard said that Neeli and the lame boy..." "How often have I asked her not to go to his house?" "Ma, don't start again I'll say it a hundred times" "How the neighbours talk about it" "Tell them Neeli goes there to study" "He was a brilliant student" "What good is that?" "Can a lame boy earn a living?" "Why get up?" " l'm going" " Stay." "Have dinner with us" "I don't feel like eating" " How do you feel now?" " Fine." "And you?" "They couldn't touch me" "You were a big help, brother" "Six against one." "That's too many, even for a Singh" "The bastards" "Six against one." "Otherwise I would have taught them a lesson" "Didn't I tell you not to mix with that rotten lot?" "They're jealous" "They'll be even more jealous of the company" "A bus service, taxis, lorries, trucks" "Are you listening?" " l'll give you a bus to drive" " No, I want to drive a truck" "What happened?" "Who?" "Why?" "Miss Neeli..." "Feeling better already?" "We're a tough lot" " But your eyes..." " Give them a couple of days I feel so bad about it" "It's all because of me" "So what?" "You've done a lot for me" "You are my brother's friend I'm your friend, too" "We'll be off" " Are you really my friend?" " Don't you believe me?" "Then can I request something?" " Yes, of course." "Who shall I beat up?" " No beating involved" " Tell no one, not even my brother - l won't say a word" "Can you meet me tomorrow night with your car?" "Where?" "Somewhere we both know, but somewhere isolated" "I know the place" "How about the rocks where you wrote your names years ago?" "Fine. I'll be there" " What time?" " 1 0:00pm" " You won't forget?" " l never forget easily" "Can I say something, too?" "Don't tell anyone, not even Joseph I'm going to be a partner in a company" "A transport company." "Within three months" "You won't feel inferior anymore" "Don't mix with those fellows lf they speak about me, keep calm" "I'll try" "And don't drink too much I'll try that, too" "The bus is about to leave for Panchmati!" "Take your seats!" "Hurry!" "No taxi today" "What's happened to Singhji?" "The car isn't coming today" "As if we'd mix with them" "Get the bottle from the back seat" "Throw it in the pond" "You mean...in the water?" "Hurry up, we're leaving!" "I'll be crushed." "I'd rather wait in the dust" "Here he comes" "We almost gave up today" "A cup of tea, quick" " You still here?" " l was waiting for you" "It will be fine, don't worry" "I'm away with the boss for a few days" "I'm worried about Neeli" "You can see the sort they are" "They dare not hassle me, but they may take it out on Neeli" "As long as I'm here, have no worries" "No bastard will dare bother her" "What happened today?" "Why are you late?" "is the black eye from an accident?" " What, then?" " A mosquito" "A mosquito bit me" "Singhji's sense of humour is intact" "Absolutely" "How fast can your car go?" "What's it matter?" "We're doing well" "This is the age of speed." "Mitter, don't be nervous lt's Nripen I'm nervous about" "His horoscope predicts death by accident" "Everyone, hold tight!" "... / knownow/t/ s/ ove, w/et/er you adm/t /t or not" "My /ove, / am /ndebted to you" "Wa/k carefu//y on t/e road..." "I'm off in the car, got work to do." "You walk back home" "Will you take us to the ferry?" "What's the matter?" "We're going away" "We're running away to Kolkata" "Running away?" "Why?" "We're getting married" "It's impossible here" "You heard my mother." "We won't have a chance here" "Don't turn us away" "We have no one else" "You are my only friend lt's been so long for both of us..." "You've done so much for me" "A last request - take us to the ferry" "Come on, then" "Come on, hurry!" "That girl" "Send her to my room" "You have been soiled" "Rama, get me some tea" " Didn't you see me?" " When?" "A minute ago." "I was standing by the well" "is something worrying you?" "Are you thinking?" "Lots to think about I know that" "Sweets" "I made them I made some for you the other day and left them on the roof terrace" "The monkeys ran off with them" "Aren't you afraid to come here in broad daylight?" "Why?" "Your master will beat you up" "Master?" "You are my master" "Nonsense" "Do you like them?" "Everything's good when you're hungry I didn't eat last night, my stomach was rumbling" "I know how to cook, very well." "Grandma taught me" "I can cook, sew husk rice, fetch water" " l can sing, too" " Really?" "T/e orc/ards are /n fu// b/oom" "My be/oved does not come" "T/e mango groves are green and r/pe" "T/e Ma/ua b/ossoms beckon you" "My be/oved does not come" "Wonderful!" "Did Grandma teach you that as well?" "I had no one else" "What about your mother?" "She died when I was born." "That's how all my troubles started" "So when this man forced himself on me, they said "When you were born your mother died" ""Now you are no use for anything else"" "What did you say?" "There was a pond behind the house" "Can you understand all my words?" "I wanted to tie a rock around my neck and drown in that pond" "Why didn't you do it?" "Because they locked me up" "Lord, how they hit me slapped me, kicked me" "They pulled my hair, dragged me and locked me in a room" "Seven days I lay there without food" "Nothing to eat, nothing to drink, not even a drop" "For seven days and nights all I did was sit and think how to die" "Then one day I noticed a box in the corner of the room" "I dragged it to the middle and stood on it I took off my sari and tied one end around my neck and the other end to the ceiling beam" "And then what happened?" " lt all went wrong" " Why?" "Do you think it's easy to take your own life?" "To leave everything and disappear forever?" "The festival of Dusshera was coming in a month's time I'd wear my new clothes, drums would beat" "There would be a fair stalls, lights, a big wheel and a show" "In November, Spuliya would be getting married" "There would be wedding music" "The groom would arrive on his horse" "To leave all this and go and see nothing?" "And I'm not even..." "What?" "My groom would come one day, my prince like in grandma's stories" "And I could not die" "Tea" "Are you going out?" "Yes, to the lawyer's" "Will you still look at me when you're a gentleman?" "Come tonight and you will find out" "Don't you like me in daylight?" "It's difficult in the daytime lf l were your wife, wouldn't you look at me in the day?" "My wife?" "If you love me, why don't we marry?" "What will happen to the company if we get married?" "We'd have to run away ls this place any good?" "Are these people good?" "I have a chance, why let it go?" "Am I to be a taxi driver all my life?" "There's no respect in it" "Everyone is rude to you swear at you, get angry" "Haggle over the fare" "Look at the room I'm given to sleep in." "One side is full of sacks" "This will change when I have a company I'll never get another opportunity like this, Gulabi" "All right" "You will come tonight, won't you?" "Please sit down" "Singhji is outside." "Shall I ask him in?" "Yes, of course" "Just a minute" "Before he comes in, have you arranged for..." "You've known me for 1 4 years" "Have I ever let you down?" "I'll be away for a few days" "But you are here tonight, aren't you?" "Don't worry, I have something special for you" " l've heard a lot about you." "Sit down - l'm fine here" "Fine?" "There is a chair, please sit down" "How can we talk if you keep standing?" "Singhji's family has lived in Bengal for five generations l see ln my grandfather's time a coachman would not dare sit with us" "Today we are all equals" " The thing is, Mr Mansingh..." " Narsingh" "Mr Narsingh, I don't know you" "He is a friend, a trusted friend" "Because of him, I agreed to talk to you" "You know all about cars you even have experience" "You are also wise and clever." "That is your capital" "You are not investing any money" "What about my car?" "I'm putting my car into the deal" " What car?" " l have only one car, a Chrysler" "The one outside with the canvas top?" "That honks away?" "You mean my car is no good?" "Ask him" "He doesn't mean it's bad or anything" "He means that if you have a new company you can't go about in a taxi that's 25 years old" "You belong to the rising generation." "If you cling to old things..." " What shall I do with it?" " Sell it lf you get 7 00 rupees, put it into the company" "But your share will be one-third" "Full partnership is no small consideration." "Well, Singhji?" "Don't you like the offer?" "It's a good car, it's served me well" "The engine's smooth" "Look at this brand new set of teeth I once owned the 1 91 0 model" "They were no good anymore, I had them pulled out" "Now I can eat the toughest meat" "All right" "I see a smile on your face at last" "I can get at least 1 ,000 rupees for this car" "That's guaranteed." "Don't worry about the price" "There's only one thing left now" "The ghee tin" "Start the car" "Here's the address, drive straight in." "Give it to Mr Jaggu" "Do you want to take this?" "Will you sell the car?" "Yes." "Anything to say about that?" "Give it to me" " Why should I give it to you?" " l will drive it" "Can you pay me 1 ,000 rupees for it?" "Not now, but in two years, when I run a taxi service" "What service?" "Won't you stay with me, in my company?" "How can I stay without the car?" "I can't do it" "Bastard!" "Don't let me see your face again!" "Why are you here so early?" "I'm going out" " l know" " So why are you here?" "You will take that and deliver it I know" "Sukhanram's friends, such gentlemen" "What is it to you?" "I know what's inside." "Opium lsn't that a sin?" "My wife ran away." "Wasn't that a sin?" "You come to my room at night lsn't that a sin?" "Yes, it is." "For a girl like me, to love is a sin" "I'll be back in an hour." "Come then" "Why?" "Why should I come?" "I'm asking you to come." "Won't you come?" "Are you my boss, to be obeyed?" "Don't you know who my boss is?" "He's your boss, too" "Salaam, Rana Pratap Singh" " Couldn't you see me?" " No, I was hurrying I just got back." "Listen, I have important news" "Sukhanram's house is going to be raided I overheard the boss I thought I'd warn you to watch out I'll be back in an hour, see you then" " Where are you off to?" " Work, a few repairs" "All right, I'm going home" "I'll help you start up" "Where are you going?" "Well done." "Warrior" "I'll be back, Joseph" "Mr Sukhanram" " He's gone out" " Where?" "To the lawyer's" "Has the boss gone out?" "Yes, Singhji" "Was anyone with him?" "The girl" " Come on" " Where to?" "We've work to do" "Come with me" "The game's up." "Taxi service is over" " Where are we going?" " Home, Gulabi" "Thieves!" "Stop them!" "I'm going, Joseph" "I'm off to Giribraja!"