"What are you reading?" ""The Overcoat" by Gogol." " Gogol?" " Yes." " Been out of this world?" " Yes." "I went to Delhi once." "Every year I visit my grandfather in Jamshedpur." "No, no, no." "Not this world." "I mean England, America." "I was in England for two years." "It was like a dream." "The sparkling King Street!" "Nobody speak in Urdu." "Have you ever thought of going abroad?" " No." " You should." "You are young." "You are free." "You will never regret it." "My grandfather always says that it's what books are for." "You travel without moving an inch." "Good." "Hurry!" "Go and prepare yourself." "There is someone waiting to see you." "Watch and learn, Rini." "She is fond of cooking ...and she can knit well." "She made a cardigan for me in one week." "She is the children's favorite Auntie." "She has been learning classical music since childhood." "Here she is." "My son has been living abroad for the last two years." "He's in New York." "He has done his Ph.D." "Our daughter's best subject is English." "Won't you recite something for us?" "I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high over waves and hills." "When all at once I saw a cloud a host to golden daffodils." "This is my father's favorite poem." "Poetry was the love of my father." "Oh, sit down please." "My child, have you ever flown in a plane?" "will you be able to go half way across the world, live in a cold city with freezing winters," "leaving your friends and family far behind?" "Won't you become lonely?" "Won't he be there?" "Come to me." "Your life is about to change." "Embrace the new, don't forget the old... and your new life... enjoy it fully!" "Let me see her." "Are you there?" "It's freezing cold outside." "You are going out?" "I have to be away for three weeks." "I have to." "How are you feeling?" "It will take you 7 hours to recover." "After all, you have just flown..." "half way around the world." "Go lie down." "I will bring you tea." "Go." "It is the American way." "Go." "Go, go." "I can't." "Okay then, sit and watch." "Here we get gas 24 hours a day." "This is how you turn it on." "Hot and cold water too." "There are two taps, red one and blue one." "Don't confuse between the two." "You will get burned." "And you will bring water straight from the tap." "No need to boil it." "And the washing machine is there, down the street." "I will show you when I come home." "Now" "Once you are settled, I will take you to my department and introduce you to my office over here." "You won't believe it." "Our rickshaw drivers dress better than the professors here." "I am very happy and everything here is wonderful." "The plane journey was long but enjoyable and I am feeling fine." "How is Rini?" "The house is very nice." "Big, with lots of windows." "Do you know, over here they get has all day and all night?" "all these have shrunk." "Who asked you to wash my clothes?" "Why didn't you just wait till I came back?" "Here one dollar is 8 rupees." "And we don't have so much money to buy..." "Where are you going?" "Ashima?" "Open the door, Ashima." "I am sorry, Ashima." "It is my fault." "Your intention was good but it was my mistake not to tell you." "Ashima, please, open the door." "My Ashima." "My Ashima, crazy Ashima, open the door, Ashima." "Oh my dear, open the door." "Please." "Crazy girl." "Don't smile." "Come on, smile now." "Smile please." "Take 1 or 3 train." "From here... all the way to..." "Fulton Street." "Get out of the station, ask anybody..." "Where is the Fulton fish market?" "And if I get lost?" "You think I'd let you get lost?" "What happened?" "Come." "Come to me." "Do you have a longer frock?" "What was that?" "I mean... till here?" "You hide those gorgeous legs!" "Lets hide them under the covers here." "Time of contractions." "Rana!" "Hey Rana!" "all there." "I have already checked." "His eyes are black as a blackberry." "Black as his hair." "How are you feeling?" "Was it alright?" "His cute voice is the first miracle of my life." "You are the second one." "Mrs. Ganguly?" "I am Mr. Wilcox." "What do you want to name the baby?" "My husband is going to name him." "He's asking about the baby's name." "We are waiting for my wife's grandmother to choose." "will she be here soon?" "She is in India." "She is more than 85 years old." "But there is no hurry." "Some of my cousins, you know, were not named till they were 6 years old." "Until then, they were called by their 'that' number." " 'That' means?" " Pet names." "We all have two names." "One pet name:" "Daduna." "One good name:" "Haroona." "Unfortunately in this country, a baby cannot be released from a hospital without a birth certificate and a birth certificate requires a name." "How about..." "Baby Boy Ganguly?" "Baby One?" "Till the letter arrives." "Afterwards, will you change it?" "In fact, what we should do?" "I wouldn't." "Too much red tape." "Expensive too." "Sleep on it." "Baby Boy Ganguly?" "What do you say?" "We could call him Gogol." "Till the letter arrives." "Later we could change it." "We would not be here but for Gogol's blessings." "Hold still." "Hold still!" "Don't move!" "One... two... three... say cheese!" "Uncle!" "Auntie!" "Look, Gogol!" " Did this just come in?" " Yes!" "How beautiful!" "Rana, look, Ashima's son!" "Gogol!" "Lady-killer!" "I want to go home." "I don't want to raise Gogol in this lonely country." "This is the land of opportunity, Ashima." "He can become whatever he wants, study whatever he desires." "Here the options are limitless." "Don't you want to give him that?" "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Come, come." "Don't go so far that I cannot see you!" "He is too little." "Welcome to Suburbia." "It's a beautiful house." "Congratulations." "Everything is bought in the yard sale." "Ashima does not like it but I say what is wrong with it, you know." "Even my chairman, who lives in a huge mansion, wears a trouser bought for 50 cents." "Gogol." "Where are you?" "Hey Gugli!" "He is probably feeling left out because of his sister Sonia's ceremony." "Is he going to be Gogol in school?" "No." "We have decided on a good name." "Finally!" "What is it?" " Nikhel!" " No!" "Gogol!" "Hey Gogol." "He's here!" "Missing your sister's ceremony, eh?" "I found him!" "What will your baby girl's future be?" "Her future will soon be revealed." "Hey Sonia!" "Pick up the pan." "American girl!" "Must be weak!" "So, how did you like your first day in big school?" "Great!" "And what is this?" ""Due to your son's preference, he will be known as Gogol in school"," "Mrs. Lacidus Princeton." "And what about your parents' preference?" "In this country, the children decide." "He wants to keep Gogol and not Nikhel as his good name." "Fine." "No big deal." "If he prefers the name Jimmy, there's nothing we can do." "As long as our kid is happy, you know." "It's so late." "Hello?" "Hello?" "Hello?" "Ashuda?" "Can you hear me, Ashoka?" "I have terrible news." "What?" "I can't tell my sister." "Don't... don't worry." "I will..." "He told you something you are not telling me?" "Yesterday, Rini and your father were playing on his bed." "He died of heart attack." "Be calm, Ashima." "At least he went peacefully." "Come on or we'll miss the plane." "Come on." "I can't go." "I can't bare to see them in mourning." "You can't be this way." "Think of your mother." "Think of your son." "They need you to be strong." "Not your ordinary guy." "You can write Gogol." "Gogol is your namesake." "Today, he is respected as one of Russia's most brilliant writers but in his own lifetime, he was understood by no one." "Mr. Gogol himself might say that he was an eccentric genius." "Gargle, way to go!" "Mr. Ecks, Dean, I'll see you both after class." "Thank you." "Out!" "Come on, out!" "Thank you, gentlemen." "Gogol was reputed to be a hypochondriac." "He was deeply paranoid, frustrated, friendless, he never married, and he fathered no children." "Towards the end of his life, he proceeded to commit slow suicide by starvation." "Did you guys know all the stuff about him when you named me?" "That he was paranoid, suicidal, friendless, depressed?" "You forgot to mention that he was also a genius." "I don't understand why you guys named me after someone so strange." "Don't talk back to your father." "And don't call us guys." "When I close my eyes and listen to you both," "I feel like I've given birth to strangers." "Just because you are graduating does not mean you can behave like this, Gogol." "So, I am two inches away from her." "Her luscious lips part." "And just as I am about to kiss her, she looks at me and she says," ""What's your name?"" "Gogol Ganguly." "End of seduction 101!" "Jane loves your name." "Gogol Gangu Lolly!" "Don't you even go there, man." "Of all the freaking Russian writers in the universe," "why'd they have to go and choose the weirdest?" "What the hell is wrong with Leo or Antwerp?" "You know, I just want to sit them down and be like," "Gogol is your favorite author, don't mind..." " ... shit!" " What?" "I have to think!" "Oh shit!" "Good bye, Air India!" "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" "They have been here for two hours!" " This is our son, Gogol." " Sorry I'm late." "Mr. and Mrs. Majunda." "They just moved in to New York from London." "They are of the same age also." "Oh I am sure." "Hi." "Hi." "What're you reading?" "Mo Jou Priestess." "In French." "You want to go watch some TV?" "I detest American television." "Gogol, come here." "Come, my boy, eat something." "Eat" "Why are your eyes so red?" "Ashima, give me some chilies." "Mosi, I promise you there are no evil eyes in the Unites States of America." "That is what you think." "You be careful where you are going." " What is the name?" " Hale." "There'll be plenty of girls in this Hale place who would want to trap you." "Have as much fun as you want." "But... marry a Bengali!" " How do you feel now?" " Yeah, I am good." " Thank you." " Good." "Listen." "I have never given any presents apart from what your mother buys but for your graduation I have something special." "Thanks, father." "I ordered this just for you from the book store." "I hope you like it." "Very nice." "You know, I feel a special kinship with Gogol more than with any other writer." "You know why?" "Yes." "Gogol is your favorite author." "I know, Baba." "No, apart from that." "He spent most of his adult life outside his homeland." " Like me." " Right." "But... there... there is another reason." " Hello?" " Hmm?" "What's the other reason?" "No other reason." "Okay." "Good night." "Good night, Baba." "We all came out of Gogol's Overcoat." "One day you will understand it." "Your attention please." "India Airlines announces the departure of its flight IT-408 to Calcutta" "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Indian Airlines and the captain, we hope you enjoy your flight." "Take off the luggage." " Gogol!" " Hi, Dadi Ma!" "Take her size!" "Go buy two pairs of slippers from Bata." "Please take your present." "For you, mother-in-law." "A sweet for a sweet." "What's wrong with you?" "I want to go home!" "I have something else to cheer you up with." "Here." "The calendar says that there are only... 89 days left to go." "What is wrong with you?" "What are you?" "Hot or hot here?" " Have some ancient air conditioning." " Go away!" "You are going out?" "Jogging!" " Jogging?" " Running." "On the street." "I'm training." " Training?" " Yes." "Don't worry, Dadi Ma." "I won't go far." "Quick. follow the young master." "He's gone running on the streets." "Keep an eye on him!" "Can you do that?" "I can do anything." "I know English." "Why have you been following me?" "There is something I always wanted to ask you but... never had the courage." "all these years ago, why did you... say yes to me?" "You were the best of the lot." "At that time, the widower with 4 children and then compromise with one." "I also liked your shoes." "Oh, okay." "You want me to say..." "I love you?" "Like the America?" "Yes." "Yes." "I am soaking, Sonia." "You actually look better than after I shoot you." "Shut up!" "Why don't you get in, my American sahib?" "Sonia can sit on my lap." "Being pulled by another human being is for feudal lords." "I don't want to be part of anything like that." "Ma!" "Get ready, we are going tomorrow." "We have gone to the Garden a hundred times." "To Agra, to see the Taj Mahal." "Are you serious?" "You're not kidding?" " That's awesome, Ma!" " Oh good!" "It's a wonder of the world." "We should have had taken a plane." "Don't worry." "Everything is fine." "What is fine?" "I've always wanted to come here with you." "Just imagine how much Shah Jahan must have loved Mumtaz." "To make this for her." "Other husbands also love their wives, Ashima." "Only we cannot afford to build Taj Mahal." "Hey, guess what." "I really want to major in architecture." "What about engineering?" "Come on, Baba." "Architecture has everything." "It's got engineering, drawing, aesthetics." "Our family Shah Jahan!" "Let's go, Sonia." "Look!" "Gangrene!" "What the...!" "I am going to catch the racist punk who did that!" "So, I have been thinking a lot about my name." "Gogol's fine." "I might have got used to it." "But too much of Gogol in a resume or credit card after that!" "What are you trying to say?" "I'd like to change my name back to my good name." "What is done is done." "Now Gogol has become your good name." "It's too complicated now." "You're too old." "Anyways, you have only yourself to blame." "Oh yeah!" "My fault that I was four years old?" "That's right, Kaalu." "Everything is possible in America." "Do as you wish." "I'm home." " Hi Nick." " Hello." "Hi dear." "How're you doing?" " Have you got it?" " Yes." " Congratulations!" " Thank you, Daddy." "Thank you all so much for coming." "This means so much to me." "Drinks!" "To celebrate!" " Hey." "Hi." " You like it?" " Yeah, its beautiful!" "Oh, I want you to meet the young Indian architect who has so captured Max's heart." "This is Pam Bridge, my dear college friend, and this is Nikool Ganguly." "How do you do?" "It's very nice to meet you." "You're always welcome." "How big were you when you moved to America?" "I was actually born in New York." "I am from here." "I once had a girlfriend who went to India." "Came back thin as a rail." "Sure." "Do your parents want you to marry a nice Indian girl?" "I don't care what they want." "This is what I want." "Sally gave them to me before anybody could check them out." "What perks I get from my wife the librarian!" "What are you?" "Blind?" "You have to learn to drive faster." "Don't talk to me." "I will have an accident." "If you keep on driving like this, you will have an accident." "Everything is fine, Ma." " Ma, why did you call me?" " Hey Hon." "You are not at your apartment." "You are never at your apartment, Gogol." "In the middle of the night I have called, and you are not there." "I am, Ma." "I need my sleep." "I turned off the phone." " Gogol, are you there?" "Yeah, yeah, I am here." "I want you to come home next Saturday." "Then you can come with us to the airport the next day." "Papa is going to teach in Ohio for six months." "Do you remember or not?" "Yeah I remember, Mom." "But what's the big deal?" "He's only going to Cleveland." "Sonia is not coming home?" "Sonia is in California, Gogol." "Mom, I can't come home on this weekend." "I am going on a vacation with my girlfriend." "Her parents have come with us to stay." "Mom?" "Would you like it if we went to see my parents on the way to Australia?" "I finally get to meet them?" "I'd love to, baby." "You know he is willing to go on vacation with someone else's parents." "But not to see his own!" "Forget it." "This is America!" "Soon as the kids turn 16, they are gone." "I lost the company of my parents when I first came to this country." "Now I feel I am losing my family all over again." "Besides, what kind of a girl is called Max?" "May be its a boy." "There is something you should know." "No kissing, no holding hands." "My parents have no love lost between them." "I have never seen them touch or anything else." "That's depressing." "You know, do we really have to get all this stuff?" "Ma, we're here." "Ma." "Ma, this is Max and Max, this is my mother." "Hello Ashima." "It's really nice to meet you." "These are for you and Ashok." "There was no need." "But thank you." "Please come in." "Please sit." "I will get drinks." " Nice." " Oh yeah!" "Your father is upstairs with the man from the alarm company." "Why are you guys getting a security system?" "It was your father's idea." "Now that I will be on my own." "You know, even in good areas like this, these days there are crimes." "Ashima, I have been admiring what you are wearing." "Is this a kanga?" "Oh yes." "I grab any fabric my mother tests out at the Met." "The Met?" "The Metropolitan Museum of Art." "You don't remember, Ma?" "I took you there." "It's the museum with all the steps and Egyptian stuff." "Yeah, I remember." "My father was also an artist." "That painting you are seeing there, that is his painting." "Nice." "Mr. Ganguly, it will be installed tomorrow." "Alright?" "should I give you a receipt?" "It's really lovely." "Hey Baba." "This is Maxi and Max, this is my father." " Hello." " Hello Ashok." "How are you?" "Fine!" "Fine." "This is the best food I have ever tasted." "Nikhel's mother has been cooking for the past two days." "It's better than what he makes." "Oh, I forgot the ice cream." "You can come and drive the car. would you?" "Sure." "I'll come with you." "Why don't you stay here and keep Nikhel's mother company?" "We'll be back in no time." " Yes?" " Okay." "I wanted to tell you something before" "It is about your name." "Name?" "Gogol." "There is a reason for it, you know." "I know." "Because he is your favorite author." "He's more than that." "It was... 1974." "I was a student in Calcutta." "Every year I would take the train to visit my grandfather in Jamshedpur." "I carried one book with me to read on the journey." " Gogol?" " Yes." ""The Overcoat"." "So, in the train, late at night," "Mr. Pursh befriended me." "He kept trying to persuade me to leave India." "And I just wanted to get back to my book." "My grandfather always says that it's what books are for." "To travel without moving an inch." "And just then, it happened." "Nothing here." " No survivors." " Look, the man with the book!" "He's moving." "Come quickly." "I kept hearing a gorgeous voice in my head." ""Pack a pillow and blanket." "See the world"." ""You will never regret it"." "That is how I came to America and you got your name." "Come." "Maxi would be waiting for you." "Baba, is that what you think of when you think of me?" "Do I remind you of that night?" "Not at all." "You remind me of everything that followed." "Everyday since then has been a gift, Gogol." " Best of luck for the journey." " Thank you." "Thank you so much." "Remember to check in on your mother." "And call to let us know that you have got there safely." " I will." " Ride safely, Gogol." " What did your dad just call you?" " Hot dynamite!" "I never guessed your parents are so different." "Its beautiful!" " You like it?" " Yeah." "it's a perfect example of living in Victorian." "Hi Nick." "This is my absolute favorite place on earth." "I can map my life here." "You know, I envy this place." "My parents never need to be so far away from things." "How did you guys grow up?" "On the road." "In rented vans." "We would travel with Bengali families to see other Bengali families." "never breaks any laws on the way, watching for AAA maps on the side of the road." "and when its time to eat we pull over against some rest stop and pull out nine course of Indian meal from bunch of tiffins what I really wanted was McDonald's to begin with." "Its kind of fun thou, you know, if you don't know anything else." "well you are here now." "So Miss Maxi I'm fare what else going to be with the museum job with the bottom of Montana." "I don't want to think about it right now." "I want to be free." "He never called" "I know they are fine." "You are worried about to being alone." "For the first time." "My own big deal, have that you always say to me." "It is easy for them, Ashima." "They grew up here." "You'll be around, too." "How will you manage?" "But I'll see you every third weekend." "I wish you could change your mind and come with me." "Lets go." "Miss Radcliff?" "I do have a number for a Gene Radcliff and resume." "But I'm afraid it's unlisted." "Happy birthday Gogol." "Happy birthday Gogol." "Happy birthday Gogol." " Hello." " Hello Ashima." "I was just thinking about you." "The shrubs the children planted need to be pruned." "Ashima I'm in people general hospital." "What happened?" "What happened?" "No, my stomach been bothering me since morning, you know I was invited by some Bengali students for design." "Really, it's not that bad." "By then I came to the emergency room because all the doctor offices are close today." "Who drop you there?" "I came here on my on, Auto was not working." "I wish I had come with you." "You'll sound it so selfish before I'm thinking about myself." "Ashima, don't worry." "It's nothing." "What does the doctor say?" "I'm waiting to see, there's a long line." "Very long line." "and don't worry, I'm feeling better already." "Alright." "I'll call you when I get home." "Yes, 'G' for green, 'A' for apple, 'N' for Nancy, 'G' for" "God, 'U' for umbrella, 'L' for letter and 'I' for India." "I have already spelled my name five times." "He doesn't mistake, He was not there for emergency." "Only for stomach itch." "Your husband have a massive heart attack." "All attempts to recover him failed." "Is there any one in Queen land area who can identify him?" "This one is my Favorite." " Hi." " Hi." " Jazzi" " Jazzi come here, come here." " Jazzi" " Jazzi" "I'll make you 9 o'clock these twice." "Ok, thanks for this" "Put them like this, put it them first." " It's nice." " Go ahead." " Down stairs." " Yeah." "Ok, this is sister time." "Poor Sonia." "I take twenty rounds every morning before going to work." "I'm sorry Mama." "Mother, Gogol." "You didn't have to do this, son." "I wanted to, Ma." "Excuse me, have you seen Matter Ganguly?" "He's over here." "Some where." "So tragic and haven't shocked, a guy like that." "So sorry." "Pandit-ji greetings." "Bring the ghee for the ceremony." " Hi" " Hi, how are you?" "Thanks for bringing my stuff." "Excuse me." "This ceremony is about to begin." "You want to sit." "Thank you." "So when are you coming back to the city?" "I don't know." "They have given me a month." "They miss you." "They know how hard it must be for you." "But you can't stay with your mother forever." "You know that." "Listen." "I would really, really, really want to come to India with you." "It's a family thing." "I thought we were family, Nick." "You are certainly a part of mine." "There are so many regrets, Max." "You're bound too." "Listen." "Why don't we still go away for New Year's?" "Like we planned." "I'd like to." "You could also get away from all this." "I don't want to get away." "What do you want from me, Nick?" "I am sure I am here for you." "But it's like I don't even know you anymore." "Max, this is not about you." "Go carefully." "Maxi?" " We will all miss you, you know." " Yes." " Your name?" " Gogol." " Your name?" " Ashima." " The deceased's name?" " Ashok." "Gogol Baba." "May be you should let bygones by bygones now." "What do you mean?" "Make up with Maxi." "Ma, you never liked her, did you?" "That is not the point, Gogol." "The point is that now you should move on with your life." "You know, by the time I was your age," "I had already celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary." "This is America, Ma." "We'll have twins when we are sixty." "Gogol, very funny!" "You remember Hoshmi Majunda?" "I detest American television!" "Don't be so rude!" "You think your accents don't sound funny to other people?" "Poor thing." "Terrible, terrible tragedy!" "You know, she was supposed to have been married." "But it was cancelled at the last minute." "The invitation cards were sent out." "The hall was booked even!" "She's also in New York." "Alone and doing her Ph.D." "I told her parents don't worry." "Gogol is also here." "He will call her." "Hey!" "Ma!" "You don't have time for having a cup of tea, Gogol?" " This is the least we can do." " Okay." "Time out." "Let's say I take her out to tea, okay?" "Then what?" "What are we going to talk about?" "As far as I recall, she doesn't even speak." "We'd French tough luck!" "Bye Mom." "Later, bro." "Chill it." "This is her number." "Call her if you want." "Don't call her if you don't want." "Thank you." "She loves you." "Yes." " Excuse me." " Yeah?" " Single malt please." " Okay." " I've never done this before." " What's that?" "Coming out on a blind date engineered by my mom." "It's not a blind date exactly." "We sort of know each other in a way." "I don't remember ever talking to you, Gogol." "Actually, neither do I." "Does your family still live in the same house we used to visit?" "I remember the kitchen." "I just liked those cupboards." "Yeah." "Those are still there." "I am sorry to hear about your father." "How is your mother getting along?" "She's alright." "Sonia's been there so it helps." "So why'd you leave Paris for New York when you'd rather study French and be with your friends?" "I moved here for love." "Surely you know about my prenuptial disaster?" "Not really." "Why would you want to?" "The other Bengali on the east coast does!" "So... um... we make our mothers happy and see each other again?" "May be." "Give me a call." "I know why he went to Cleveland." "He was teaching me how to live alone." "Of course my mother is old and I am not cooking you anything." "She always come out here?" "She called today." " Are you alright?" " God!" "Yeah." "Could you please help me?" "My glasses, take them off." " Did I really say that?" " Sure you did." "No one even talked to me back then." "I tried, but you used to treat me like I'm an untouchable." "How'd you get so sexy?" "Affairs." "Paris?" "I convinced myself I would never have love." "I began to have affairs." "How many?" " What do you want?" " Numbers." "You don't want to know." "You don't understand." "Without fire, this entire ceremony is useless." "I am sorry sir." "I cannot allow you to light fire anywhere in the hotel perimeter." "I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high on waves and hills." "When all at once I saw a crowd a host of golden daffodils." "A hundred and one for the balance from your family." "That brings the total..." " to seven thousand thirty five." " Not bad, Mr. Ganguly." "I say we made a killing, Mrs. Ganguly!" "Hold it, hold it." "We'll use that for your name." "We've already discussed this." "Yeah." "But I thought, you know, both names..." "Do you know how many letters that is?" "Come on, Nikhel." "Has somebody asked you to change your name?" "I already have, remember?" "We promised." "No, no, no." "We didn't promise." "You promised." "So, what do you think of Preska?" "Preska?" "What?" "It's a family name!" "What does it mean?" "I am sure it means something." "It has much meaning." "Stop worrying!" "If he doesn't like his name," " we can always change it!" " I'd never change my name." "It's my grandmother's." "What do you mean changed the name?" "Nikhel, it isn't the name you were born with." "What name were you born with?" "Gogol." " As in the opera club?" " Yes." "I get it!" "Nicholai Gogol." "What's that?" "What made your parents choose that name?" "My father was his fan." "What I told you about my name was personal." "Who cares?" "It's not just some joke or conversation that you just bring it up in front of these people!" "These people happen to be my friends!" "No I haven't lied before unless you wish away my past." "You know I can't read French." "all right." "Can do that." "I'm going to be a good Bengali housewife." "Make samosas every Thursdays from scratch." "It's so hard to know what to do sometimes." "I was looking at this Joseph Campbell the other day and he says when you feel lost, you should close your eyes and think of when you were most happy." "Not thrilled." "Just deeply happy." "It's called following your bliss." "You want to try it?" "well?" "Ashima, you all right?" "I've been thinking of leaving." "Is that very selfish of me?" "You know, I thought now that the children are both well settled." "One day..." "I hope you will turn to this book... and remember." "Your Pierre." "You don't know how happy I am that both my children have found their life partners." "You don't mind if Ben is not Indian?" "Times have changed." "Now I don't mind." "He's a very good boy, you know." "And he makes Sonia very happy." "Keep following our bliss." "You have been reading Joseph Campbell!" "It's you!" "Frying samosas with my mother-in-law." "And you?" "See you later." "Kisses." "I have something to say." "Gogol, I did not want to tell you on the phone." "I have decided to sell the house." "I am going to do what your father and I had always planned." "Six months in India... and six months here, with all of you" "And then I can go and start my singing again in Calcutta." "That is if any guru wants a 45 year old student!" "I want to live free." " Like my name." " What do you mean?" "Ashima means without borders." "Limitless." "Hello?" "Hey Ma." "What's up?" "Gogol, there is a buyer for the house." "Are they meeting your price?" " Yes." " Then do it Ma." "I have told them they would have to wait until after Christmas." " Both of you are coming, aren't you?" " Of course." "This will be the last party at this house." "I know." "They are renting a house and leaving this summer." " And I told them we might join in." " I am busy entire summer." "You're having an affair?" "Are you?" "Who is he?" "Someone I have known a long time." "Why?" "I saw myself becoming my mother." "I saw myself stuck." "May be it's not enough that we are both Bengali!" "That's not why I loved you." "So when are you giving us the good news?" "We are your family also." "Ben, you're still here?" "Screw it." "I am never going to get around with all these names." "Sorry man." "You don't have to." "Just call everyone Auntie." "You'll be fine." "We all came out of Gogol's "Overcoat"." "One day you will understand me." " Hi Gugli." " Hi Ma." "Everything is okay?" "I mean between your wife and you." "Mom, she found someone else." "It's her boyfriend." "A French guy named Pierre." "For once, somebody else's name bothered me more than my own." "It is all my fault." " I am sorry, Gogol." " Ma!" "Ma, it has nothing to do with you." "Different people live wanting different things." "I will not go back to India now." "I cannot go." "You will have to go." "Listen to me." "I know I am supposed to be devastated." "I know it's going to sound crazy, but for the first time in my life I actually feel free." "Look." "Look what I found." "It's Papa's graduation gift from high school." "For Gogol Ganguly..." "For the man who gave you his name, from the man who gave you your name." "How did you find it?" "Don't go so far that I cannot see you!" "He's too little!" "Are you listening?" "Oh boy!" "The camera!" "It is in the car." "all this and no picture!" "We'll just have to remember it then." "will you remember this day, Gogol?" "Yes, remember it always." "Remember that you and I made the journey." "25 years, I missed my life in India." "And now, I will miss my life here." "And all of you, who became my family." "I will miss living with my daughter and the surprise of friendship is found." "I will miss phoning my son all times of day or night." "Nevertheless, this country... in which I had grown to know and love my husband," "and though his ashes are scattered in the Ganges, it is here in this house, in this town," "amongst all of you, that he will continue to dwell in my heart." "Cheers!" "Cheers!" "Thank you." "After several minutes blushing all over, he began reassuring them quite simple heartedly that it was not any overcoat at all." "Finally one of the clerks, even some sort of assistant, shrieked and said," ""So be it." "I'll throw a party instead"." "Pack a pillow and blanket." "Go!" "See the world." "You will never regret it, Gogol."