""Accustomed to living in a flat country," ""Bengali people marvel at seeing..." ""the smallest heap of earth." "I was..." ""dazzled by the hilly landscape of Palamau."" "Does Chatterji speak about hostels?" "Yes." "But do they still exist?" "We should have better organized ourselves." "Back to the laws of nature." "What can I say?" "It's your turn to talk." "Twenty liters." "Twenty liters." "But we are in Bihar." "He will understand bengali." "You're right." " Is this the way to Palamau?" " Yes." " To the forests?" " Yes." "Forests obsess you." "Why is he sleeping?" "To avoid your taunts." "Hari!" "Awake!" "You have to push the car." "We're down." "Moron!" "What are you doing?" "My new shirt!" "Stop!" "Really." "You surprise me." "Be careful, then." "I'm sorry." "And he dares to say that he's a sport!" "Shanjoy, will we arrive soon?" "Before 3 pm." "We came here to help... you to recover." "So, I am the culprit." "Listen." "Let's make stock of the question." "It was my idea." "But no one was forced to come." "I'm on leave, anyway." "I'm on sick leave!" "I'm unemployed." "That's all." "But Shekhar must stop annoying me like that." "Don't pay any attention to him." "We'll be cheerful again... far from Calcutta." "Shekhar." "Look." "Priya Films presents" "DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE FOREST" "Based on a novel by Sunil Ganguly with:" "Sharmila Tagore, Kaberi Bose, Simi," "Soumitra Chatterji, Subindu Chatterji, Rabi Ghosh, Samit Bhanja" "and Aparna Sen" "Photography:" "Soumendu Roy" "Art Direction:" "Bansi Chandragupta" "Editing:" "Dulal Dutt" "Sound:" "Sajit Sarkar" "World Distribution:" "Piyali Films" "Production:" "Nepal Dutt and Dutt Ashim" "Screenplay, Music and Direction:" "Satyajit Ray" ""I've never seen a drunk woman in Palamau." ""It doesn't mean that local alcohol..." ""doesn't exist." "Men get drunk..." ""always drinking the same alcohol."" "Women and men... drink together!" "As in the West!" "You know how he describes these women?" "Let's listen." ""They are as black as ebony." "And young."" ""Dressed only with a piece of cloth around the waist," ""their upper body remains naked."" "Beware, Hari!" "Don't provoke me!" "Hari." "What's the matter with you?" "You should have beat this girl who dumped you." "He beats the others... only at cricket!" "In Palamau you will forget your mishap." "Again with that word!" "But... am I the only one having affairs?" "And Shanjoy?" "Stop!" "Actually, you're not courageous enough to confess." "Everybody has affairs." "Not me." "You're unable to have any." "It doesn't interest me." "Stop." "Stop." "You know, Hari." "We're all affected by your grief." "But it's you who should have dumped her." "It was me." "Alright?" "You must talk to me." "I want to know." "What?" "Why do you want to break up?" "I must know." "We can't explain everything." "Say it." "Get off me." "I will never get off you." "You're hurting me." "I want to know." "Don't be childish." "Say it." "You must talk to me." "Let go of my hand first." "Okay." "What is it?" "Is this all you could find to write?" "Did you read my letter?" "Did you understand it?" "I doubt it." "A letter doesn't mean much." "So, why did you write to me?" "Since you wrote to me..." "I wrote back without thinking." "I know." "Did I say that I don't love you?" "No." "Whatever." "It's my fault." "Forgive me." "But it's impossible for me... to love someone who writes such letters." "Why continue to disappoint each other?" "You must leave now." "I'm late." "You must not come here anymore without telling me." "Please!" "Is there any hostel around for civil servants?" "A bungalow." "Yes, sir." "Far from here?" "Not very far." "Ask him to come with us." "Can you come with us?" "You will be paid." "Sit behind." "Not in front." ""Notice." "Persons intending to use F.R.H. must have permission..." ""from Director of forest office of Daltonganj."" "Well!" "Wonderful!" "The forest!" "I take the suitcases down?" "Wait." "Keeper!" "I'm going to look for him." "Locked." "Sir." "The keeper." "You are the keeper?" "Let us in." "Your authorization?" "You haven't received it?" "Whatever." "Your rooms are free." "Let us in." "You're waiting for someone?" "You need an... authorization." "But we made a request." "I will lose my job." "Who will fire you?" "Sir, try elsewhere." "Listen." "Do you know what a V.I.P. is?" "This gentleman is a civil servant." "This one is a union official ." "And this one is a great sportsman." "I see." "Forget it." "We didn't come so far... to go back." "Here." "Let us in." "There's no risk." "We will inform your boss." "Don't worry." "Thank God for corruption!" "Open the doors." "This is royal!" "Hari, you and me, we will take this room." "Toilet." "I'll be back." "Not bad." "Well, well..." "You take the bed there?" "Okay." "There is a dining room there." "We'll dine here?" "Let's have tea first." "Why not coffee?" "You must be dreaming!" "Keeper!" "Sir." "Could we have some tea?" "Yes, sir." "For dinner..." "Sir, my wife has been sick for five days." "It's she who cooks?" "I also cook sometimes." "But I don't have time to go to the market." "I'll go." "So you will make the dinner?" "Yes, sir." "Alright." "What's your name?" "Loka, sir." " Loka?" " Loka." "A simple dinner will be enough." "We'll even have chicken." "Two bedrooms with bathroom!" "Shanjoy." "You give me... a blade?" "Why?" "I forgot mine." "Excellent!" "Then?" "What else have you forgotten?" "Only the blades." "Don't shave." "I'm not shaving." "Shanjoy?" "Let's be smart." "Let's preserve our energy." "Hari!" "Hari!" "You'll shave?" "You'll shave?" "No?" "Good!" "Okay." "All Hippies!" "The trip would be dull without Shekhar." "Do you know what he told me yesterday?" "What?" ""How will I obtain my leave so fast?"" "When he is unemployed." "What are you looking at?" "Your writer, Chatterji, says... that there is a melancholy in this jungle." "One such place adds years to your life." "Is it necessary to extend it?" "You are on an upward curve." "The longer you live, the higher up you go." "The higher up I'll go, the lower I will fall." "Do you remember our student newspaper?" "I often think about it." "How we worked for it!" "Sixteen hours a day." "We don't work so hard now to earn our living." "And it was a good newspaper." "So?" "You took a shower?" "Are you interested in attending a dramatic event?" "Do what you want." "Let's break the link with civilization." "I had kept this newspaper to pack my shoes." "Something burning?" "Did you sleep well?" "With this bee buzzing around me?" "How so?" "Is it true?" "Are you going to be stung again?" "You don't believe me?" " What?" " Go and see." "Hari!" "Can you scream like Tarzan?" "What if the elephants are coming?" "Are we walking aimlessly or do we have... a destination in mind?" "Is it enough to have a goal in life?" "Shut up and follow me." "Okay boss!" "Sunset!" "Where have you already seen this?" "In Calcutta!" "No." "What was that western?" "Hari?" "The one with Burt Lancaster." "To the left." "Sit down." "I'll be back." "These peasants!" "They scare me!" "Here everyone is on the same level." "No distinction." "Give me papadams, roasted chickpea... and four glasses." "Here." "Roasted chickpea and... papadams." "Is it that strong?" "Try it." "No." "I only drink imported scotch." "Go away." "Go away from here." " Enough." " Shut up!" "You okay?" "What a life!" "Sir." "Who is this?" " Ah...it's you." "I want to drink too." "You didn't go to the market?" "I did, sir." "I bought a chicken." "Give me the change." "Come on." "Hurry." "Yes, sir." "How much did you put in your pocket?" "Here." "Go away from here now." "What a life!" "Alas!" "Hari!" "Look." "Why?" "Turn around." "Miss India." "Pretty, isn't she?" "The higher up you go, the lower you fall." "As you say." "What's the matter, Shanjoy?" "Does she remind you of the woman described by your writer?" "You are a man of integrity." "You drink." "But it's only to please your boss." "Otherwise, he would fire you." "I know you." "If I leave my job, will you give me one?" "Why leave your job?" "Why not?" "Your boss has a lovely daughter." "Isn't that good compensation?" "She has more than twenty boyfriends." "You have not been successful with her, then?" "The job." "I have a thousand reasons to quit." "But should I quit?" "How would I feed... my family?" "My father, my mother, my brother." "Stop chasing women." "I'll talk to your mother." "She'll find you a wise and beautiful girl." "There's no need to talk to her." "It's already done?" "Has she already found a girl for you?" "Good." "It would be the best for you." "You will work." "You will please your boss." "You will do well with your wife." "And so you shall become the perfect example... of the good, conventional and docile man... of the Bengali middle class." "Sir." "Sir." "Ashim." "She wants something." "Give me." "Give her what she wants." "Hey, sir!" "Hari." "Leave me alone!" "She's waiting." "Who?" "Sir." "Give me." "Half a pint." "Half a pint." "Half a pint." "You still want to drink?" "What's your name?" "Miss India." "Shut up!" "What's your name?" "What?" "Answer." "Dulli." "Dulli." "Half a pint." "You can dance?" "You can waddle?" "I danced at the gentlemen's club." "The boss gave me five rupees." "Five rupees!" "Yes." "Five rupees." "I will give you..." "Twenty-five rupees." "You'll dance?" "Bastard!" "Stupid!" "You want to rob me!" "He wants to steal my money!" "Why are you shouting like that?" "Here." "Drink as much as you want." "Lousy thief!" "Hari!" "Stand up." "There are bears around here." " Devdas!" " Who is this Devdas?" "Have you read Sharatchandra?" "No." "Come on." "Stand up." "We'll walk." "Cricket has been my ruin!" "I stayed illiterate." "I will teach you everything." "Tea, sir." "Who is this?" "Tea." "Serve it in the next room." "Shanjoy!" "This is fantastic!" "One wears a sari, the other pants." "I saw them." "In the forest." "Have fun." "I'm sleeping." "Tea is served?" "What are you doing?" "Only tea?" "Keeper!" "Keeper!" "Sir." "No eggs?" "I had to take my wife to the doctor this morning." "I didn't have time to go to the market." "We need eggs." "They will starve us." "Send Loka to the market." "Loka?" "He can go." "It would be tragic to do without eggs!" "What are you doing?" "You're shaving?" "You broke the pact!" "He saw two women this morning." "Not from the Santal tribe." "Excellent!" "I will go." " You really want to?" " Yes." "They have eggs there." "Boiled eggs." "Take eight." "Would you like some tea?" "Yes." "Four teas!" "With buffalo milk!" "Buffalo milk!" "Don't look at them this way." "You'll make them feel uncomfortable." "What are they doing there?" "They... are for sale." "You're buying?" "No." "But go ahead, if you're interested." "Me?" "Come on." "What are you doing?" "It's not your business!" "So?" "A real snake!" "A snake!" "Where is our tea?" "Seasonal workers." "They don't have work at the moment." "Unemployed and yet happy." "Amazing." "Sir." "You hire us?" "Come to the bungalow." "How so?" "What are you saying?" "We will hire them." "Eggs." "You found some?" "And the change?" "Loka!" "Yes." "Do you know about the ladies who live here?" "Yes, sir." "Where do they sleep?" "In front of the church." "I have the sun in my eyes." "Look behind you." "To the left." "What are you going to do?" "And you?" "To meet them." "Do you really want to?" "Why not?" "No formality." "We are not in Calcutta." "You won't go alone, my boy." "I'm leaving." "Hari!" "Forget him." "Shouldn't we... stop?" "I think so." "So?" "So?" "Let's wait." "Let's see your method." "Who are you?" "And you?" "And you?" "We are men." "Let's be more precise!" "We come from Calcutta." "Tourists?" "Somewhat." "This is your home?" "Yes." "I saw you from afar... and wondered what you were doing here." "We admire your home." "Very beautiful!" "Don't stay outside." "Come in." "If you have time, of course." "We have time." "So come in." "Your grandson?" "His name is Anindamukul." "Don't you have a little name too?" "No, just a big one." "His first name is Tublu." "Where will we go tomorrow?" "The circus!" "He has heard about... these animals who lived in the forest and... even came close to my house." "This is no longer the case, so we will go and see them at the Daltonganj circus." "Let me introduce you." "This is my daughter-in-law." "My daughter." "I am Shadhashiddha Pathi." "Shekhar Sen." "Ashim Chatterji." "Shanjoy Bannerji." "Wasn't there someone else?" "Who?" "Our friend." "He went to visit the church." "Tell him to come." "Sit down." "Make yourself comfortable." "Don't bother." "Where do you live?" "In the bungalow." "This is the only place where we can stay." "We were very close to your home... this morning." "Really?" "Beautiful landscape." "It makes me... think of England." "You know England?" "Through the movies." "Me too." "Here he comes, our great champion." "He looks like a champion." "Did you like the church?" "The church... that you have visited." "Yes...it's beautiful." "It's sad." "He couldn't hear the result of the test-match." "Rini, do you know the score?" "206 to 3." "So, apparently West Indies know how to handle a cricket bat?" "Yes." "You know all that too?" "I never could find out... what interested you the most." "I don't know myself." "Be reassured." "Let's play badminton." "Mixed doubles?" "Okay." "It's better if you play without me." "I lack practice." "I'm ready." "But say, who is the... strongest among you?" "Not me." "So I play with Ashim." "You with Hari." "What is it?" "It seems interesting." "There?" "This is a small house with one bedroom and a balcony." "I used to sit there and watch... animals." "Now my daughter... took possession of it." "You live there?" "Except at night." "She retires there to meditate." "That's what you think." "What else could I say?" "You seem so far removed from the world." "Can I visit the house?" "Is it possible?" "Come on." "I'll show you." "It is surprising to find a person like you in this place." "Did you know this place before?" "No." "We wanted to go to Palamau." "We are here only by chance." "Serendipity, certainly." "And about the bungalow?" "What about the bungalow ?" "You didn't have permission?" "No, of course not." "You certainly know that... there are many other ways." "Come in." "I have friends who rented this bungalow once." "The same?" "The guard seemed honest." "Just enough for one person." "You are rather... elusive." "Is it a problem?" "Not really." "This is the observatory." "The name was given by my father." "The animals come here?" "I saw deer." "Hordes of deer." "But that was a long time ago." "So, now we could call it Juliet's balcony!" "Imagine someone there, saying:" ""This is east and Juliet is the sun."" "Who?" "You?" "Would I be wrong?" "Wolves still roam around." "What to say, if you discourage me?" "Can we finish the tour?" "I want to touch you to see if you're real." "Try this instead." "Do you stay here alone?" "Sometimes my sister-in-law comes." "To interrupt your meditation?" "Do you come here often?" "At least once a year." "My father really likes this place." "Do you like him?" "Yes." "And your mother...?" "She's dead." "My brother too." "You mean...this sister-in-law..." "I had only one brother." "Have you seen Rini's room?" "Yes." "Your name is Rini?" "It's my nickname." "And your first name?" "Aparna." "So?" "If you want to sell this house, think of me." "I envy your daughter." "Really?" "Sir!" "What is it?" "You're wanted." "What's the matter?" "The Ranger wants... to see you." "Okay, we're coming." "You're leaving already?" "We'll come back." "You absolutely must." "We should invite them... to eat." "Of course." "Come whenever you like." "But not tonight." "I completely forgot." "We must go to Ranchi." "To see one of Rini's cousins." "You leave today?" "This afternoon." "But we'll come back tonight." "Come for breakfast tomorrow at 8:30." "We'll play badminton." "There will be eggs?" "Is it you who lodge in..." "It's us." "You four?" "Yes." "You're the Ranger?" "What a bungalow!" "Splendid!" "We'll speak well about it in Calcutta." "That is good." "But can I remind you that... you are in violation?" "You're right." "It is forbidden to enter here without permission." "We saw the sign." "And even if the bungalow is free, it doesn't change... anything." "No." "But since we're already installed, we would like to stay... a few more days." "How many?" "Say, four or five days." "I must be in Calcutta next Saturday for the races." "And then, there is much more than the forest here." "Premiums?" "Exceptional!" "Bonuses." "Can you tell me if you expect... someone in the coming days?" "The boss." "The curator himself." "He'll come soon?" "And the keeper will definitely be fired." "What are you saying!" "Yep." "What if we explain the situation to him?" "You can try." "But let's say that everything depends..." "On his mood?" "That's it." "Don't worry." "Stay there for the moment." "But if the boss... wants to live here... then you will have to leave." "You lost... a cigarette for nothing." "He has ruined a beautiful morning." "Wait a moment." "This is absolutely not the private house of the curator." "Exactly." "Hari!" "Hari!" "He has another crisis." "Do you know that Rini's sister-in-law is a widow?" "Really?" "How would I know?" "Nowadays a widow no longer dresses in white." "A nice family." "Ashim." "You miss practice at badminton?" "What a trick!" "So?" "The game's afoot?" "My skin is completely dry." "I have to cover myself... with mustard oil and take a shower." "What are you doing?" "That's for hair!" "Who cares!" "I think you were right." "You would be well advised... to take me seriously." "Sir!" "You give us a job?" "Here they come." "What can you do?" "Everything." "Sweeping, doing the washing." "Drawing water from the well." "You must hire us all." "Two rupees a day." "Two rupees?" "Wait." "I'll be back." "I'm taking six rupees." "What?" "...4, 5, 6." "This is the common fund, isn't it?" "What are you doing?" "I'm protecting the tribes!" "What is he doing?" "That's him!" "Come here." "Can you draw this at a good pace?" "It's done!" "Did you pay in advance?" "Yes." "But this is for our mutual benefit." "They take care of everything." "I take one of yours." "Filter tip!" "You have a nice transistor, haven't you?" "Yes." "Japanese." "Bottle shaped." "You should have brought it." "To listen to the news." "I wanted to." "I was in such a hurry." "I forgot." "What dust!" "They say that the Japanese have surpassed the Germans... in optical products." "And electronics." "I saw a TV as small as a watch." "Can you crush such a country with an atomic bomb?" "Who would have thought that they would recover after Hiroshima?" "And yet it is an oriental country." "The land of the rising sun!" "Yes, the Japanese..." "What are you doing here?" "Go away!" "Scram!" "They work for us." "They're bad women." "I will be fired." "What a bore!" "What can I do?" "I paid in advance." "I will be fired." "Loka!" "You were in my room?" "No." "I was washing the car." "Where is my wallet?" "How would I know?" "Idiot!" "You went into my room, didn't you?" "Are you sure?" "I'm sure." "I was washing the car." "I'm going to search you." "But what are you doing?" "I'm leaving." "Pay me." "Pay you!" "As if you had not already pocketed enough!" "Skunk!" "I don't want to work here anymore." "Loka." "I want to leave." "Here." "And go away now." "Hari needs... a little tonic." "He flares up easily." "He lost his transport monthly ticket." "There was no money in his wallet." "You have to stop teasing him." "He will ruin our vacation." "So, you've come to join us?" "I couldn't resist." "The water is great." "Very cold." "That's why we drink it." "But there are insects." "Cover yourself with oil." "I stay away from such rustic habits." "What's the matter with Hari?" "You don't know?" "He's in love with Dulli." "Well!" "It's not so astonishing." "And you had hired her as a servant!" "His anger is understandable." "This is your soap?" "Imported!" "It smells good." "When I have a house, I will build... a well too." "We will come to wash ourselves." "It would be nice." "The Ranger?" "Someone has lost his wallet?" "You're showering?" "Yes." "Go ahead, Shekhar." "It was found on the Badminton field." "It's very kind of you." "Take this." "It's for the result of the test-match." "It's very kind of you." "We'll see you tomorrow morning!" "A 8:30 sharp." "Goodbye." "Have a nice trip." "Fortunately, they haven't seen me!" "Oh no!" "Have you noticed my perfect English?" "Go away!" "Why are you so shy?" "I acted as if I was walking in a bathing suit... on the french Riviera!" "It's easy for you." "What have you got to lose?" "Midget!" "Nothing to lose?" "You are only poor-spirited and petty bourgeois." "Give me my soap." "I really have no luck." "You have to win this time." "Don't involve me in this." "This is your game." "Keep playing." "I'm too conventional." "You're upset?" "Okay." "I give you free rein." "Ashim." "What's the matter?" "Let's go back." "We mustn't forget the breakfast." "You didn't drink?" "I did." "Moderately." "I must bring you back." "Drink." "You must drink." "Breakfast." "This idiot can't even keep an eye on his wallet." "Who?" "Me?" "Not you, idiot!" "Say." "What's wrong with him?" "What else?" "Miss India!" "Leave him alone." "Quiet!" "The idiot!" "Hari!" "You could at least have thanked them for bringing back your wallet." " It has been done." " By whom?" "By you." "Was it for me to do that?" "Was it my monthly ticket which was lost?" "You have a car." "Have the decency to talk about it tomorrow morning." "Tell them it was your wallet... and thank them." "Do you hear me?" "Will you do it?" "Why are you laughing?" "Hari!" "Did he lose his mind?" "Why are you laughing?" "Hari!" "I saw them through the window." "These two morons... covered with soap!" "You were watching?" "I sure was." "What did you see?" "One of them stepped forward." "And he said: "Very kind of you." "Have a nice trip."" "Go ahead, Hari!" "Dance the twist!" "Go ahead, Hari." "Dance!" "Yes, you can." "You used to dance with Atashi." "Who is Atashi?" "Don't you remember?" "The one who dumped you!" "Don't forget the breakfast." "I want to dance." "I want to dance." "He's going to dance!" "Dance." "Dance." "The breakfast..." "Beware!" "A car!" "Stop!" "Look." "Tribal twist!" "Wait." "Let me talk." "Get away!" "Do you know who we are?" "We are V.I.P.!" ""Very important people."" "No, it means "very important person."" "Turn off the headlights." "Hari!" "Shanjoy!" "Look." "It is 9:30!" "9:30!" "Always this idea of drinking!" "It's too late." "We should go, at least to apologize." "Here." "A letter." ""I'm sure you'll feel uncomfortable reading this." ""But you are not to blame." "You are here..." ""to rest." ""We shouldn't have invited you so early." ""Here's your breakfast." ""We hope you'll enjoy it." "We think..." ""we'll come to see you this afternoon." "Jaya Tripathi"" "The sister-in-law." "It's Mr. Tripathi?" "I think." "He calls me" "The one without whom my soul doesn't know how to live" "He calls me" "The one for whom buds hatch at dawn" "The one for whom birds sing in the groves" "He calls me" "The one without whom my soul doesn't know how to live" "The one praised by the eternal whisper of water" "The one exalted by the mountains and the forests" "The one for whom, enraptured, the stars and the moon don't sleep anymore" "He whose love spreads like a boundless river" "He calls me" "He without whom my soul doesn't know how to live" "He calls me" "You have an audience." "Wha!" "You were invited to eat." "Not to... hear an old man singing the glory of God!" "You sing so well." "I have no breath or memory anymore." "Is it possible to sing... relying on his daughter's memory?" "We came at the right time." "Forgive us for this morning." "Please." "Don't say anything." "We're really sorry." "Do you know to whom you're telling this?" "Are they so often on time themselves?" "Yesterday, they had to return from Ranchi at 8 pm." "And what time did they return?" "They asked us to stay." "I was so worried." "You played a solitary game." "But it doesn't prevent me from being worried." "We're going to the circus." "Tell them what you saw last night." "A rabbit and two wild cats." "I guess you barely escaped alive." "The animals aren't the scariest." "It's the drunkards." "They stop cars." "Tribal people, of course." "The local alcohol." "Yes, they drink a lot." "Then you're going to the circus?" "Not all of us." "Me and my grandson." "We wanted to go and visit you." "I will go too." "You'll go to the circus." "The wallet..." "It was his." "The one that you brought back." "I suspected something like that." "He played badminton with such energy." "He was sleeping when you came." "The money was still inside?" "Yes." "What money?" "Do you see the vase there?" "Put it here." "And the clothes... that the gentlemen put to dry there..." "What are you doing?" "Do we have to see you every day?" "The curator is coming." "When?" "Any moment." "Why are you moving our clothes?" "Just a little cleaning." "They're cleaner than your pants." "Come and see." "Pretty, isn't it?" "Who would dare to fire you!" "It's the grace of God." "You think so?" "Let's go." "Let's prepare for our meeting." "Keeper!" "I'll talk to him." "Hello sir." "They are the ones who occupy the rooms." "We've been here two days." "We like the place." "We didn't know where to stay." "It's true that we didn't have any authorization." "Have you seen the sign?" "Yes." "But you surely make exceptions... in some cases." "Why should we make an exception in your case?" "Give me a good reason." "Do you know Mr. A.C. Chatterji?" "He's a lawyer..." "You spoke to them?" "Yes sir." "I told them everything." "Do you mean that it never... happened before?" "The car is yours?" "Yes." "Alright." "There is another bungalow about 16 km from here." "I'll make sure you can be admitted there." "You must leave in two hours." "We want to stay." "Don't be so stubborn." "Hello!" "Hello!" "You didn't come the other day." "I was retained by my job." "We were expecting you." "And your father?" "He's fine." "They're our friends." "I didn't know they were your friends." "We're long time friends." "They came from Calcutta." "They will return soon." "You're late!" "Are you ready?" "For a while." "Will you stay with us?" "A picnic?" "Sort of." "No, thank you." "Have fun." "Come and visit us one day." "You are very clever." "Fortunately for us, you were there." "He asked us to leave in two hours." "He's not always... as unpleasant." "And then... it was unfair of him." "Come on." "Let's chat a little." "I brought food." "Again!" "Small things." "Eggs?" "What are you looking at?" "Hari!" "Come and eat a biscuit." "Do you want some?" "Go ahead." "I'm coming." "Bring us... 6 glasses of water!" "Have you breakfasted?" "We had something at the market." "You eat things made outside!" "Not usually." "But the keeper's wife... is sick." "But we're not famished." "Thanks to you." "Do you have the result of the match?" "Yes." "So why are you so morose?" "Shanjoy!" "This is Ashim." " I'm Shanjoy." " Shekhar." "Hari." "Sit down." " Here." " Thank you." "Is there a... fair in the area?" "Oh, I completely forgot." "Do you want to go there?" "It's near here." "A five minutes walk." "And you?" "It would please me for sure." "And Rini wants to buy bracelets." " Good idea!" " Later?" "Yes." "There will be less sun." "It's a deal." "There is a gambling house?" "What an obsession!" "Too bad I don't have my cards." "There was a game we used to play." "A cards game?" "No." "The game in which you quote famous names." "The memory game?" "Do you know it?" "Describe it." "Rini!" "Come play with us." "We'll all play?" "That would be fun." "It's a great game." "Rini will explain it to you." "Ashim knows it." "So, you will both explain it." "It's better if Rini does it." "Correct." "Sit down." "Explain." "Sorry." "There's no harm." "This is a very easy game." "You have to sit, as we do, in circle." "Let's say I start." "Okay." "I will say the name of a famous person." "Famous?" "Whatever the person?" "Poet, philosopher, jockey...?" "Yes." "But a famous person." "And after me, it will be you." "You will quote the name that I have given." "And you will give us another name." "Then it will be the turn of Hari." "He will quote ours and will add another name of his choice." "I see." "Gandhi." "Gandhi, Nehru." "Gandhi, Nehru, Azad." "Exactly." "The game will continue this way." "Whoever forgets a name, will... be out." "The last one staying in the game is the winner." "Let's begin." "Beware." "It's not so easy." "You end up confusing everything." "We'll see." "Let's begin." "Do you understand?" "I begin." "Rabindranath." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Cleopatra." "Wait." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Cleopatra." "Atullo Ghosh." "It's your turn." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Cleopatra." "Atullo Ghosh..." "Then?" "Helen." "Of Troy or Bombay?" "Bombay?" "Okay, it's Helen of Troy." "Ashim." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Cleopatra." "Atullo Ghosh." "Helen." "Shakespeare." "I'm scared." "Wait." "Rabindranath." "Karl Marx." "Cleopatra." "Profullo..." "Out!" "How could I be wrong?" "It's Atullo!" "Stop." "You make me forget everything." "A moment." "Out!" "What did Ashim say?" "Mao Tse-Toung?" "It was Shakespeare!" "I'm leaving." "Stay, please." "Sit down." "Do I have to?" " Go ahead, Shanjoy." " Wait." "What did you say?" "Have you forgotten?" "Is there a time limit?" "Yes. 10 seconds." "I'm counting." "1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... 8 ... 9 ... 10!" "Bradman!" "Kennedy." "Which one?" "Bobby." "A cushion?" "You have some?" "Of course." "When he has finished." "Can I?" "Please." "Thank you." "Do you like jewelry... made by the Santal tribe?" "By the Santals, yes." "I want to buy some." "Silence!" "Sorry." "Continue." "Difficult." "What are you saying?" "You?" "You forget?" "I can't remember." "This is unbelievable." "You want some water?" "I lost." "Ashim wins." "They suit you very well." "How much?" "What are you doing?" "Please." "Close your bag." "Do you take us... for savages?" "You shouldn't do that." "Buy as much as you please." "Look." "It's full." " Give me ten rupees." " Why?" "I will pay you back." "I forgot my money." "Where?" "In Calcutta?" "How could I know?" "I have money." "You mustn't." "He will play." "I know that." "He won't refuse." "He is generous." "Please." "How kind of you." "Where is Hari?" "I don't know." "Your wallet must be empty!" "I can still buy donuts." "It's my turn." "It's out of the question!" "So, you stay here?" "My money!" "I have some." "We will return shortly." "Was it necessary?" "We'll go when you need to be getting home." "Okay." "Your house is ten minutes from here." "I know." "But my son will ask for me." "It's nice here." "Perhaps it would be different... without you." "Where is Hari?" "He doesn't like being with you." "You see, he was dumped by one of your own." "You understand "dumped"?" "Yes." "It's here." "Go ahead." "I'll return with supplies." "I'm going to beat you." "Why?" "You didn't come last night." "Where?" "Where you usually drink." "I went dancing." "Why did you work for us?" "Why not?" "You gave me money." " And that's enough?" " Yes." "No." "I will give you money." "For nothing, this time." "Do you like it!" "Win!" "What luck!" " You're leaving?" " Yes." "What courage!" "More like running away." "If I continue I'll lose." "Here." "And Jaya?" "She's not hungry." " Your friend?" " Not hungry either." "Don't look at me like that or I will betray myself." "You didn't ask them." "You see Jaya all the time." "Give me one day." "I promise I won't escape." "I have to speak to you." "I'm listening." "Not here." "Let's go away from the fairground." "I must go to your bungalow." "I forgot my sunglasses there." "So?" "You lost intentionally, right?" "I still remember all the names." "And you?" "This is a special gift." "I still remember things that happened to me at the age of two." "Why then?" "Don't you know?" "Would you be happy if I had won?" "Here is the problem." "First this stupid shower." "Then the curator's sermon." "Only humiliations!" "There's more." "The tribal twist!" "It was your car?" "What did you drink?" "You looked at us?" "Eagerly." "What a huge injustice!" "This is surely the work of fate." "I am everything but a laughing matter." "Yet I would say that you are childish." "You also think that?" "Yes, seeing how... you grabbed the bungalow." "So you think it's impossible for... us to apply in advance?" "So?" "You are so demanding!" "You like to break the rules." "Not all the time." "Sometimes." "But how would you understand that?" "You ignore the rules of the working world." "When we arrived here we even decided we would no longer shave." "But we'll have to comply again." "How would we keep a job otherwise?" "You'll keep your job." "But you have corrupted the keeper." "I'm more worried about him." "Why must I hear that coming from your mouth?" "I would understand if it was the Ranger, the curator... or the keeper himself." "But you?" "Don't answer please." "Why are you smiling ?" "Tomorrow, when you take breakfast... we'll be gone." "Why?" "We learned in Ranchi yesterday that one of our friends is getting married." "We must leave tomorrow." "Are you married?" "My husband died." "He's dead?" "Perhaps he returned to earth, reincarnated." "He went to cut wood in the forest." "A snake..." "Bitten by a snake?" "A cobra, perhaps." "He died three years ago." "You come with me to Calcutta?" "There is work there." "If you come, you'll see me playing cricket." "Have you seen my wrist?" "I make some 6's." "Phulmoni went to Calcutta." "She bought a bodice... and a net for her hair." "What do you put in your hair?" "Do you know what I will buy you?" "Do you know?" "How would I know?" "Hairs." "False hairs, to cover yours." "Since time is short..." "I can tell you now." "I really liked you." "At the beginning you seemed to be a fashionable woman." "I see I was wrong." "Do you know what I thought when I saw you?" "You need to lose some of your arrogance." "This arrogance has disappeared." "It collapsed of itself." "But there is something that troubles me." "Why can't I understand you?" "Maybe I could help you a little." "Do it." "Three years ago my brother committed suicide." "He was also a friend to me." "When I was twelve... my mother burned herself alive." "I was alone at home, at that time." "I remember." "Once," "I was then in college, we were staying here during our holidays." "I went out for a walk." "Suddenly, I saw in the distance ... a forest fire on a hill." "I fainted at the sight of the fire." "You have never actually suffered." "Have you?" "Will I see you again?" "Where?" "What do you mean?" "At the fair, of course." "Come..." "I'll give you more money." "What's wrong with you?" "It fell again." "Ashim!" "Shanjoy!" "No car." "No light." "That's good." "My son would have been dissatisfied with my absence." "You could have returned later." "Would you come inside for a moment?" " Should I?" " Come enjoy a coffee." " A coffee?" " Let's say a Nescafe." "How can I refuse a coffee?" "What beautiful silence!" "It's unpleasant." "Do you like this place?" "It's different, anyway." "Whatever." "You don't like it?" "I don't understand those seeking such solitude." "I find this place suffocating." "This time, at least, you were here." "Poromesh!" "Yes, ma'am." "Can you make coffee?" "Come in." "I'm coming back." "I'm just putting this away." "It looks like a haunted house, right?" "Yes, if the lights remain off." "And now?" "The mystery is gone." "Sit down." "Look at this." "I'm coming back." "You have a lovely garden." "You're not going away?" "And renouncing coffee?" "Here." "Thank you." "The other day, seeing you showering so freely... in the water well, it made me envious." "Say." "What kind of sickness does the keeper's wife suffer from?" "I don't know exactly." "Did you know she was so sick?" "I had suspicions." "I didn't dare to come here." "The curator, is he a friend of your father?" "Look!" "Shekhar!" "Hari!" "What happened to you?" "A bandit..." "You're bleeding?" "He hit me on the head." " Don't talk." "Come on." " My wallet..." "Don't worry." "Shanjoy has a first aid kit." "Come on." "I'll take you back." "Tell me." "Do you like your coffee cold?" "How do you like me?" "You said earlier that these clothes only suit the Santals." "Well..." "What are you looking at?" "Say." "How do you like me?" "Okay..." "Are you in front of a ghost?" "I'm a ghost." "When the husband dies, it is not only he who disappears." "Do you know that my husband committed suicide?" "What do you say?" "Why?" "How could I know?" "He was in England." "Another woman, perhaps." "Are you feeling uncomfortable?" "No." "I am." "Look." "It's not ours." "It's done?" "You drank your coffee?" "Tell me... one thing." "What?" "Do you have a boyfriend?" "Maybe..." "Don't be childish." "Are you in love with someone?" "Not yet." "Where can I see you in Calcutta?" "I don't like parties." "Where can I see you?" "Let me go." "I can't see." "I could only... find that paper." "Shanjoy!" "Here!" "You look worried." "No." "It's nothing." "Is Jaya back?" "Yes." "We had coffee." "Have you just arrived?" "I forgot my glasses at your bungalow." "We leave tomorrow." "Greet your friends for me." "Of Course." "We enjoyed your company." "Goodbye." "I will speak with my father." "He will surely take care of it." "Thank you." "What is she talking about?" "The problem with the keeper." "I see." "Her father knows the curator." "Very good then." "I was worried too about that." " Keeper!" " Sir." "In Calcutta, you'll forget this mishap." "That word again!" "Hari!" "How do you feel?" "Fine." "You'll have to pretend that you were attacked by a wild buffalo!" "Take this." "You will not be fired." "The curator will be informed." "Mr. Tripathi's driver has delivered a box for you." "Shekhar!" "I had completely forgotten." "Shekhar!" "Where is the money you borrowed?" "With interest." "I lost everything in the game." "I have never... lost so much." "Come on." "Get in the car." "This comes from Mr. Tripathi." "A cake?" "Eggs!" "THE END"