Act Two
Scene One
(Ajith is alone in the house reading a newspaper. There is a knock on the door and he rushes to open it. It is a group of men led by the local Councilor)
FIRST MAN: It’s him, it’s him. (They all go inside and sit in the hall)
SECOND MAN: Call your father. We need to talk to him
THIRD MAN: Tell your father that the Councilor has come to meet him
(Ajith blabbers something and uses his sign language to let them know that his father isn’t there)
THIRD MAN: Oh, he is the twin brother Ajith who is actually dumb
COUNCILOR: (To Ajith) Come here sir, sit down. We have come here on a complaint against your brother Vinith. That’s why we want to meet your father. When will your father come?
(Ajith gestures to them that he isn’t in town and would be back only tomorrow).
COUNCILOR: Oh only tomorrow?
(Ajith nods)
COUNCILOR: What shall we do now?
THIRD MAN: It’s not a problem. We can talk to him. He is the accused’s brother, and a responsible person
COUNCILOR: Alright Ajith sir, where is your brother now?
(Realizing the situation, an apprehensive Ajith gestures that he had not yet returned home)
COUNCILOR: Like I told you, we have come here to act on a complaint; we have a very big problem at hand. In fact the police are coming to arrest your brother. However we have asked them to show some restraint.
(Ajith is anxiously gesturing as to what it was)
COUNCILOR: You know what your brother did today?. (Looks at his men) Tell him. Tell him
FIRST MAN: Your brother had attempted to ..to…(Looks at his colleagues) what was that?
SECOND MAN: Touching woman in a public place; indecent behavior with a woman, public nuisance.
THIRD MAN: Not a public place, it was her private place. Just in front of her house
FIRST MAN: Well there is a legal term for this…Can’t remember now…that should make it clear and give him an idea of how big the crime is.
COUNCILOR: An attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman
FIRST MAN: Ah yes…yes..That’s it… to outrage the modesty of a woman. He did that
(A shocked, confused Ajith looks at everyone)
THIRD MAN: Yes, he caught a college girl’s hand.
SECOND MAN: Actually the girl’s parents and her uncle want to file a police case and get your brother arrested
FIRST MAN: Why are we wasting our time here? Let’s ask the police to continue with their work
THIRD MAN: No, no, no… I have known his father for several years. He is a very good friend of mine. This shouldn’t happen to his family. I just can’t imagine the police coming in trucks, vans and jeeps and dragging away his brother.
(Ajith looks at him more closely, trying to recognize him)
THIRD MAN: You may not know me son. But your father knows me very well. By the way where is he working now?
(Ajith looks confused and helpless. Keeps walking around)
COUNCILOR: Don’t worry, don’t worry. Let’s think of a way out
SECOND MAN: It’s a very complicated case. We can’t help him out. His brother would have to spend at least six months in jail
FIRST MAN: It is also difficult to get bail in these cases
THIRD MAN: No, no, the councilor should help him out. Poor family
COUNCILOR: How can I help?. Let me think about it (He discreetly waves to his group, unnoticed by Ajith. The first and second men take Ajith separately)
FIRST MAN: Don’t worry; police can’t come, without our councilor’s permission. We shall ask the councilor to help you out. But we need to make him happy for that. Just give us a thousand rupees now and we shall think
(Ajith immediately gives them a thousand rupees. The two go back and give the money to the third man who leaves the house with it)
FIRST MAN: We shall think of the ways we can help you. Don’t worry for now. Alright, can you arrange for some glasses and chill water?
(Ajith goes and returns with glasses and water)
SECOND MAN: Don’t worry; we should solve your brother’s problem.
COUNCILOR: We were expecting to meet your father. But not a problem, since you too understand the situation and cooperate well
(The man who had gone out, now come back with two liquor bottles, soft drinks and snacks).
COUNCILOR: (Looks at Ajith) Come sir, take a glass and join us..We’ll discuss
(Ajith gestures that he doesn’t drink)
SECOND MAN: Pour quickly, very desperate for a drink
(They prepare the drinks, lift their glasses and shout “cheers”)
THIRD MAN: I am happy that the problem is solved for his brother. If it wasn’t for the councilor, the family would have suffered.
COUNCILOR: Honestly, I still don’t have a clue as to what I should do.
FIRST MAN: Please do something
SECOND MAN: We are all depending on you. Don’t abandon us, please
(Alcohol was soon having its intended effects. The group was quickly getting high, with everyone beginning to talk aimlessly. Poor Ajith remains a mute spectator to the developments)
COUNCILOR: Am I allowed to smoke here?
FIRST MAN: Of course, of course..brother Ajith wouldn’t mind you smoking here
COUNCILOR: (Lighting a cigarette) These days young boys don’t know how to behave. Actually there is no one to properly guide them. That’s what I would say
SECOND MAN: Holding a girl’s hand is a very serious crime. One needs to be careful not to be caught. In matters like this, no one can outdo me and our councilor
COUNCILOR: Me? Why do you say that?
SECOND MAN: Remember what happened five years back at the Shanthi Theater. We were there on the Diwali day, having fun, when we pulled a woman’s saree
COUNCILOR: I don’t remember it (looking at others) What is he blabbering?. I think he’s reached his limits
SECOND MAN: Come on; I remember very clearly, only you seem to have forgotten it. A big crowd soon gathered and we were thrashed by the public. The woman also slippered me on my face; you recollect now?.
COUNCILOR: I don’t recollect anything. Anyway forget it
FIRST MAN: (whispers) We need to buy one more bottle. Ask him for money
THIRD MAN: Anyway the councilor and all of us will have to help this family and keep them away from all problems
COUNCILOR: Want to do my best, but the case is very strong. I still don’t have a clue how I am going to help these boys
THIRD MAN: Our poor dumb brother here trusts us; we need to help his brother, at least for our brother here
(They again call Ajith and make him sit close to them)
FIRST MAN: The problem is big and we are working hard for you. Please don’t think we have come here to just have a drink and walk off. We have to solve the problem, caused by your brother
SECOND MAN: The biggest problem is the girl’s uncle. He is a very dignified and a self respecting man. Actually the police wanted to file a chargesheet of harassment and eve teasing. But he wanted the police to also include a rape attempt charge. That’s the problem now.
THIRD MAN: (Takes Ajith aside and tells him) We need to ensure our brother is safe. He has done a mistake and is to be punished, but we shouldn’t let it happen, because he is our brother. Only the councilor can help. He generally doesn’t help anyone in such matters, but our brother is lucky that he offered to him. Now the councilor wants another bottle. Just give a thousand rupees more. We need to keep him happy
COUNCILOR: (On his mobile phone) Hello, ah yes. No. No. I am making the enquiry. The boy is not here right now. Give me some more time and I will come and explain. There is no need for you to come now
FIRST MAN: Who was that?
COUNCILOR: It was the police inspector; he wanted to come right away
FIRST MAN: Please, please ask them not to come here. It would be a big embarrassment for their family
(Ajith gives them more money. The third man immediately leaves to buy a bottle)
COUNCILOR: The problem is that it’s Friday evening now. If there is an arrest now, we can’t get a bail until Monday. Let’s see what we can do
SECOND MAN: (To Ajith) Didn’t I tell you, the councilor would help?
(The man, who went out, now comes back with a bottle and another short man. Everyone acknowledge and welcome the man, who greets the councilor with folded hands and takes a seat).
FOURTH MAN: I didn’t know you were all here. Nobody told me
FIRST MAN: (Pointing to the fourth man, tells Ajith) This is the girl’s uncle we were talking about
COUNCILOR: So take back your case against his brother and help them
FOURTH MAN: Please don’t interfere in this sir. Anyway I’ll think over it
(They drink and all of them including the councilor are overdrunk and seem out of control, while Ajith watches helplessly. Ajith now sees Vinith coming inside and alerts him to stay quiet, by raising his finger to his lips. Vinith moves to a corner of the room and listens to the commotion. He soon understands the situation. Vinith discreetly signals Ajith to leave the room. Ajith goes inside unnoticed).
VINITH: (Walking in) All of you listen to me
(All are stunned. they blink; shake their head to their disbelief).
FIRST MAN: Hey he is talking
THIRD MAN: It’s a miracle. No one would believe us that he is talking. We are lucky to witness this
VINITH: Call the police now. I have no objection to it. Let them find and arrest my brother
FOURTH MAN: No my son, there is no need for that. I will withdraw the case against him
VINITH: I don’t care. I want you all to leave my house immediately, or I will call the police now
COUNCILOR: One minute. It’s not that we are unhappy with you getting back your speech. But remember brother Ajith, when you were mute, you were listening and obeying. But now since you’re able to speak, you are practicing it against us
FIRST MAN: Alright let us leave this place immediately
SECOND MAN: We know how to tackle you, if you go that far
VINITH: What do you mean?
SECOND MAN: Chase us out of your house..no problem..but don’t expect your money back
COUNCILOR: (Taking his mobile) Wait the police inspector is on line
VINITH: Ask him to come here
COUNCILOR: Hahaha…They’ve caught your brother and have him in their lock up. Now come and ask us to help
(The men stagger out of the house in a hurry)