"KAPURUSH The Bad Man" " Well?" " The coil's gone." " Coil?" " Ignition coil." "It'll take some time." "How much time?" "Can't get one here." "It'll have to come from Siliguri." "Siliguri?" "That means it won't be ready today?" "Oh no!" " Good evening, Mr Guha." " What can I do for you?" " Nothing." "Just a phone call." " Please come." "Hello?" "Not much hope for me, according to your man." "What happened?" "Coil or something - says he can't get it here?" "Well, everything's not available in a little place like this." "Where are you going?" " Hashimara." " Hashimara!" " Can a car be arranged?" " No, there are no taxis here." " Any chance of a lorry or something?" " No, afraid not." "Disgusting!" " Sit?" " No, thank you." "Going such a distance and not making a check..." "A light." "What's your line - tea or forest?" "Pardon?" " You're going to Hashimara, aren't you?" " Oh, my brother-in-law's a doctor there." "Oh, I see." "OK, any kind of hotel or boarding home near here?" "Hmm... there is a small hotel - Friend's Hotel." "Which I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy." "Take the phone." "Hello?" "Sit." "No connection?" "Hmm." "Leave it then." "Such beastly weather!" "When do you have to get there?" "Tomorrow is fine, but the problem is where to spend the night." "Well, Mr Guha, will the car be ready by tomorrow?" "I'll do my best." "But, tomorrow's a Sunday - that's the trouble." "What a disaster!" "I'd never have taken a taxi if..." " What sort of baggage do you have?" " Just a suitcase." " Arjun!" " Sir?" "Get the suitcase from that car and put it in my jeep." "In your jeep?" " Come on." " Where?" " Have some tea first." " No thanks." "Another day." "Come on." "I'll take you to a friend's bungalow." "Inspection bungalow?" "You will inspect it and tell me what you think of it." " My name is Bimal Gupta." " Amitabh Roy." "I'm a lonely planter." "I see." "It's your bungalow then?" "Any objections?" "I think you'll be able to put up with it for one night." "This is most..." "You really have no choice, Mr Roy." "Have you?" "True enough." "Come on then, jump in." "Thank you so much." "It's not a question of your thanking me." "This is a matter of mutual dependence." "You're looking for shelter and I'm looking for company." "See what I mean?" "I can't suppress my curiosity any longer." "Why do you want to go to Hashimara?" "It's to do with something I'm writing." "You're a writer?" "Sort of." "They give us a funny name, anyway." "Which is?" "Screenplay writer." " Screen...?" " Scenarios." "Film stories." "I see." "Film stories." "That's interesting." "But, why come all over here to write a film story?" "Won't Calcutta do?" "Excuse my ignorance." "Well, the story is set in a place like this." "I see." "Local colour." "Yes." "It's best to have first-hand knowledge." "So, what kind of story is it?" " Romantic?" " More or less." "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl..." " Boy gets!" " Boy gets girl." "Boy loses girl." " Is that it?" " Exactly." "Do you like it?" "Do you like this kind of writing?" " I like the money." " Hmm!" "Who doesn't?" "Do you think I'd be rotting in a tea garden, otherwise?" "Money, money, money Sweeter than honey!" "Money, money, money Sweeter than honey!" "Anwar-ur." "Put the suitcase in the guest room." "Come." " What are you listening to?" " Just look, awful reception tonight." "I'm not alone." "This is Mr Roy." "My wife." "His taxi broke down." "So I grabbed him for the night." "Excuse me." "What an awful day." "Any phone calls for me?" " Atkinson." " Oh!" "Come, now." "This room is hardly used at all." "You won't believe me, Mr Roy." "But on an average we get one Bengali in distress ever year." "That's when we use this room." "This is the..." "Have a wash and change and I'll just..." "I really don't know how to thank you." "Believe me, Mr Roy, the pleasure is all mine." "Come in." "Karuna!" "How extraordinary... you here!" "Memsahib." "Shall I bring hot water for the gentleman?" "Of course, you'll need hot water?" "Yes." "Bring it in." "They'll make the bed while we're having dinner." "You ought to be a film star yourself and not just writing stories for them." " Bearer!" " Yes, sir." "What'll you have?" "Sit, sit." "I think we have time for a drink." "I haven't really acquired the taste." "You don't have to acquire it." "You'll find you've got it." "Have a sherry to begin with." "All right." "Sherry and whisky." "And you?" "One orange." "You have to have all kinds of experiences in life." "Otherwise, how could you write about them?" "I asked my wife if she'd heard of you." "She's always reading those Bengali magazines." "She said she knew one Amitabha Roy at college." "But, she's never heard of a..." "Screenwriter." "...screenwriter named Amitabha Roy." "That's only natural." "This is only my third film." "Even if I were famous, there's little chance of being known here." "You're telling me!" "No news ever reaches this god-forsaken countryside." "If tomorrow turns out fine, Mr Roy," "I thought we could take you out." "It's Sunday tomorrow and there's a lovely picnic spot." "You might put it into your story." "It's been ages since I saw a Bengali film." "It would be easy when we go to Calcutta." "But, you never let me go." "Bengali films!" "Why are you laughing?" "You know, Mr Roy, the Bengalis of the present generation, they have no moral fibre." "And, that is reflected in everything we do." "Everything." "Whether its films or politics." "And..." "Is it necessary to run down Bengalis in front of a Bengali guest?" "Certainly." "Criticise the Bengalis to a Bengali but praise them to others." "Isn't that right?" "Right." "I was a good student, you know." "A good debater." "Made a name for myself." "Got a first in Economics." "What was your subject?" "Hm?" " You've got a degree, haven't you?" " Yes." " In films?" " No." "Then?" "BA" " Keynes and Co." "Key...?" "I see, I see." "I see." "Then we have a lot in common." "A lot." "Except..." "You're writing film stories... and..." "I'm growing this blasted tea." "And... drinking whisky." "Would you prefer a squash?" "No, no, no." "Why are you forcing him?" "That's because the hero of his story drinks for the first time." "Isn't that so, Mr Roy?" " That isn't a bad idea." " What do you mean, not bad." "It's a splendid idea." "And you'll write from first hand experience." "You know what this place does to you?" "It makes you swig and love it." "Make a note of this." "And you start loving it." "Every blasted fellow in this blasted plantation drinks." "No other way." "In the beginning, I didn't like it much." "And whisky, I hated." "Now, I think it's good stuff." "And it helps you forget." "The boredom, the drudgery." "Hm." "Well, we mustn't forget dinner." "Excuse me." "Christ!" " Bearer!" " Yes, sir." "Come here." "Come for dinner." "Stand straight." "All right." "Look, isn't that a good likeness?" "Very good." "Come." "And this is... my bungalow." "You know... my wife is very gifted." "But, she's far too modest." "Would you believe it... it was only three years after our marriage that I discovered she could paint." "Any other wonderful discoveries?" "You know I don't invent things." "You don't need to be so modest." "Eat your fill, Mr Roy." "Make up for your troubles." "Nothing very special." "There was no time." "As I told you, your loss is my gain." "Or rather, for both of us." "Isn't that so, darling?" "You talk too much." "You don't mind seeing the same face day after day?" "I don't mind." "Hmm... perfect actress!" "Does your film need a heroine, Mr Roy?" "Definitely." "Each garden..." "Mr Roy..." "Each garden has its own method of cultivation." "And the tea grown in each garden has a different taste." "One sip is enough... to tell which garden it comes from." "And it all comes from experience and hard work." "Bloody hard work, Mr Roy." "Come rain, come shine." "Oh God, it's a tough life." "So we're going out tomorrow, then?" "Yes, yes." "Picnic." "Picnic." "Mr Roy, I hope I haven't bored you." "A writer doesn't easily get bored." "They're always looking for material." "Oh my God!" "So I am material, am I?" "Don't say you're going to put me in your story!" "Would you object?" "Certainly not." "Just one condition." "What?" "Don't make me a villain." "That would upset my wife." "Why should you be the villain?" "There are other planters." "That's a good one." "Well, good night then." "Eight o'clock tomorrow morning." " Good night." " Good night." "Come in." "Karuna!" "Do you have to be terribly polite?" "I can't bear it when you call me Mr Roy." "That's too much." "Would you prefer me to be rude?" "I'd never have imagined we'd meet again like this." "How could you unless you had second sight?" "But believe me." "I'd never have come if I'd known." "Why?" "You mean to say you're happy to see me again?" "Do I act as if I'm unhappy?" "No, but..." "Don't let your imagination run away with you." "Stop worrying and go to sleep." "Please." "Yes?" "Who's there?" " What's this?" " I had to come." "What's the matter?" "What happened, Karuna?" "Huh?" "A glass of water, please." "I never imagined..." "What's the matter?" "Uncle's going away." "Where to?" "Patna." "On transfer." "And you?" "Taking me with him." "Forcing me." "Says he's going to stop all this nonsense." "So, you're going away?" "What?" "Tell me." " Do you love me?" " Do you need to ask?" "As much as you say you do?" "Do you doubt it?" "Still?" "No." "Then why did you ask?" "No particular reason." "So are you going or not?" "Yes." "I'm going." "No, seriously." "Tell me." "A good thing for you if I went." "No one to disturb you, no one to make you sit for portraits." "Right?" "What's the matter with you today?" "All this silly chatter..." "No." "You won't get rid of me this easily." "Good." "I shan't go." "If I went this time, I'd never come back." "Why not?" "I'm certain of it." "He's taken this transfer deliberately." "Just to put me in my place." "I see." "Fantastic." "Isn't it?" "They've got my whole life worked out." "Amazing!" "Amazing!" "When is he going?" "Karuna?" "Yes?" "When is he going?" "Wednesday or Thursday, I'm not sure." "Didn't you suspect anything before?" "Only today." "When we were having our meal." "I heard it." "Then I left the table and went up to my bedroom." "There, I locked the door, sat on the bed and... quietly thought about it for a long time." "As I thought, everything became clear to me." "And I made up my mind." "I felt I had to come and tell you everything immediately." "So here I am." "You did the right thing." "You're angry with me." "No, why?" "Because I've come to your hostel." "I can see you are looking gloomy about it." "That's because I haven't shaved." "Oh, Ami!" "If I'd known you were coming today" "I'd have put a curtain on that door there." "So, this is the three cornered room!" "Yes, this is the three cornered room." "It's enough for one person." "Hey... what happened, huh?" "I'll take a job." "Give up the art school and take a job." "Since I've got my BA, it shouldn't be too difficult." "Ami?" "You'll get one too, won't you, if you try properly?" "This is a ruthless city, Karuna." "Even so, Ami... the first few months may be difficult, but that is nothing." "Nothing!" "I don't want to see their faces again." "They're my enemies." "Enemies." "They think they're doing it for my good but..." "Don't cry, Karuna." "Please don't cry." "No, I won't go." "Karuna, look at me." "Don't go." "Ami." "Karuna." "Karuna." "Karuna." "Karuna, listen." "Please, listen." "Listen." "You're thinking of marriage, aren't you?" "Don't be absurd." "Don't go, please." "Let go." "It's no use." "Please Karuna, listen to me." " It's hurting." " Sorry." "Listen... you think I don't love you?" "You think all this time I've been play-acting?" "I've been deceiving you?" "I didn't come here to make a scene." "I'm sorry for what has happened." "Now, say what you want to." "The taxi's waiting." "How can I make you understand?" "I know your uncle didn't approve of me." "But, I never thought he'd suddenly do this." "You might have guessed, but I couldn't." "Now you suddenly say you're going in three days time and you want a decision on the spot." "A decision on which our whole future depends." "How could you expect me to...?" "And..." "I have to think about you too." " About me?" " Yes." "Decide whether you can make the necessary adjustments." "I know you've been used to all kinds of comforts." "I've seen that." "I've been to your house." "House?" "You saw my house?" "Didn't you see me?" "Didn't you know me?" "These one and a half years... haven't I told you time and again" "that when I'm with you..." "Anyway... maybe you thought it was romantic drivel." "I don't blame you." "It's difficult to know a person." "Karuna." "Just give us a little more time." "That's not possible." "Just a few more days." "What's the use, Ami?" "What you need is not more time... but something else." "Karuna." "Karuna." "Just one question." "Just one." "What?" " Are you happy in your marriage?" " Why?" " I must know." " Why?" "It's important, Karuna." "I must know." "Or you'll never find peace for the rest of your life?" "I haven't got married myself." "You can't imagine how I've suffered since that day." "And for so long." "I couldn't even get a chance to ask your forgiveness." "Forgiveness?" "What for?" "We were both to blame." "It wasn't just your fault." "I was given a job." "But I didn't take it." "Everything seemed so pointless." "Calcutta was unbearable, Karuna." "And the hostel - the three cornered room." "Then I heard of you getting married." "Then I started writing again." "Now I have a flat on Fern Road." "Life went on as usual - eating, sleeping, working." "Only one thing I couldn't do... fall in love again." "Do you blame me for that?" "Karuna... just tell me if you're happy or not." "What do you think?" "I'm trying to tell, but can't." "Then let it stay a mystery." "Mrs Gupta... do you have any sleeping pills?" "I'll have a look." "Not more than two." " And if I do?" " I don't think you will." "Good morning." "Morning." " Sleep well?" " Yes." "I hope the sherry didn't give you a hangover." "I think we are lucky." "Looks as if we'll have a fine day." " Wonderful place you have here." " Yes." "For a month, it's splendid." "Even two months is fine." "Perhaps, even a year is OK." "But after that?" "Don't seem to have any neighbours." "Yes, there are." "Just 19 and a half miles away." "Oh, by the way, your car's not ready yet." "Did you phone?" "I think what you should do is take the train." "We'll drop you at the station on our way back." "You will get the train at half-past six." "That suit you?" "Then I'd better go and pack my bag." "Yes, do your packing." "We'll leave right after breakfast." "Oh, by the way..." "Just give my wife, Mrs Gupta, a call on your way." "She takes time to get ready." "Weren't you supposed to call Mrs Gupta?" "Come." "Did you sleep well?" "Only tea for me." "Why?" "I only take tea for breakfast." "Only cold lunch today, you know." "I only expect cold things from you." "You're ready?" "Long since." "Everything's ready." "Only the lunch has to be packed." " Mr Roy?" " Yes?" "You were asking about neighbours?" "Shall I pour the tea?" "It's not that there isn't anybody nearby." "The office staff - clerks, Tea House babus - they're all within a mile." " Sugar?" " Two spoons." "But you can't really call them neighbours because outside working hours, you're not expected to see them." " It's an unwritten law." " I see." "Aren't you having an omelette for breakfast?" "I only have tea for breakfast." "Mr Roy?" "Yes." "Here's something that might be useful for your story." "We have a rigid caste system operating here." "A manager can only mix socially with another manager." "If you were an assistant manager then I wouldn't be sitting and having breakfast with you." "Atkinson, TP Chatterjee, Mehra, Terry Walters... these are all my equals." "Oh, I see." "And..." "you accept this system as it is?" "The British maintained this system for 150 years." "You expect me to carry out a one-man revolution?" "Thank you." "I couldn't quite accept it in the beginning." "It kept on worrying me." "Then I realised that if I accepted it life becomes easier, smoother." "So, I stopped worrying." "Yes, but..." " What?" " No, I mean..." "Conscience?" "Right?" "Mr Roy, it's very simple." "If you have a conscience, it worries you." "You drown it in alcohol." "How's the tea?" "Hm?" "Good?" "Excellent." "Your tea?" "Yes." "I'll give you a packet." "But it won't drown your conscience." " Are you comfortable?" " Oh yes." " Mr Roy?" " Yes?" " Are you married?" " No." "Are you contemplating it?" "No." "Ever been in love?" "Does that embarrass you in front of my wife?" "No." "You know, you look the romantic type." "So my wife and I were having a guessing game about you." "But I must tell you one thing." "Our bungalow is an ideal place for a honeymoon." "'Twas on the Isle of Capri" "That I found her" "Beneath the shade of an old walnut tree" "'Twas on the Isle of Capri that..." "I found her..." "Ticket?" "Two to Bhowanipore." "Here." "Would you believe it?" "It's never happened before." " You know what would be worse?" " What?" " If you don't pay me back." " That's a nice thing to say!" "I'm an economics student." "Don't take things philosophically." "You won't have to." "I'll pay you back tomorrow." "With interest." "Interest?" "Didn't I see you reading Abanindranath's lecture on art?" " You want to borrow it?" " Is it yours?" "No, but I could lend it to you." " Good." "Bring it tomorrow then." " Where to?" "Where to meet..." "Alma-mater, ground floor, orientation North west." " Good heavens!" "Where's that?" " In front of the library." "4:30 sharp." "OK." "At 19 and a half years, I see a..." " Dire event?" " No." "A person will enter your life and prove to be a great..." "Problem?" " Oh!" " What happened?" "I just wanted to hold your hand." "All this palmistry is just an excuse." "Well, I let you do it." "It was an excuse for me too." "There's no other way if you don't have courage." "You know, Karuna, this is the fault of our society." "In England, I'm told, boys and girls openly..." "That's enough." "They take it too far." "But we can't take it far enough." "You call this romantic?" "Sitting in a cubicle?" "At least we can think about each other... without anybody getting in the way." "But I don't like it this way, Karuna." "I keep on feeling restless." "Frustrated." "When the time comes, we won't let anybody come in the way." "Miss Karuna..." "I'm an aspirant for your hand." "Please let me hold it." "Will you stop a moment?" " Pardon?" " I'll just light a cigarette." " Oh, I am so sorry." " It's all right." "Just a moment." "Go out and stretch your legs a bit." "My car is no Rolls Royce." "Karuna..." "I'm going to look for some water." "Karuna." "I've got the answer to my question." "You can't be happy." "You can't have a single thing in common." " Why won't you admit it?" " Perhaps I didn't want to be happy." "Even now?" "If you had the chance?" "What chance?" "Aren't there any reasons?" "No grounds?" "All that drinking - has he never treated you badly?" "I'm ready, Karuna." "Forget what happened before." "Please!" "I had no courage, then." "But now, I have." "Please." "What if I say I don't love you any more?" "You love that man?" "How do you know him?" "You think you can know a person in a day?" " Maybe not, but..." " How little you know him!" " You're jumping to conclusions." " But this seems just incredible." "Why?" "Maybe I've changed too." "You..." "Listen... the last time we went for a picnic... isn't this where we stopped for water, then?" "Yes, this is the spot." "I can't find the tree I wrote my name on." "What about some experience of whisky?" " You seem to think it's necessary." " Just a little?" "Here." "Now, you are a man." "Karuna." "After all, man is a kind of machine too." "Needs filling up now and again." "Let me try one of your Charminar cigarettes." "Thank you." "Had your fill, Mr Roy?" "Yes, thanks." "They say my grandfather... used to eat a whole goat." "And, I suppose, my grandson will eat a whole pill." "How's the story coming?" "It's coming." "Boy meets girl." "Boy gets girl." "Boy loses..." "Karuna." "Karuna, please." "Turn around and look at me." "Karuna." "Karuna." "I'll wait at the station till the last moment." "If you still love me, come." "I won't let you down this time." "Ouch!" "My God, I nearly burnt my finger." "I do the same thing myself when I fall asleep writing." "Come on, then." "Lets be going, slowly." "Drop you, drop the wife... and then, off to Atkinson's garden." "Oh, Mr Roy, please, please, please." "You are our honoured guest." "Mr Roy?" "Yes?" "Is your suitcase very heavy?" "No." "Then, I'll put you down at the level crossing." " You'll have about 50 yards to walk." " That's all right." " Thank you so much." " Best of luck." "Don't forget to put me in your story." "No, I won't." "OK." "We'll see your film in Calcutta." "Good." "And yes... next time you come, Mr Roy, you talk and we'll listen." " All right." " What do you say, Karuna?" "First class to Hashimara, please." "Karuna!" "Have you got my sleeping pills?" "Can I have them back?" "I need them." "You can't get them here." "Karuna!" "Let me have them." "Please." "Bye, then." "THE END"