Shaukar Suryam: We would’ve kept round the clock vigil at our well. What do you say dora?
Muthyal Rao[Frowns]: Go jump yourself.
Papi Reddy: Why so dora, hasn’t he got better things on his hands?
Rami Reddy: Better we focus on Narsimma for hurt cuts both ways.
[Curtains down.]
Scene - 7
[Curtains up: Narsimma is at the reading table in his room in the Scheduled Castes -Scheduled Tribes Hostel. Enter: Srisailam, his friend and fellow inmate.]
Srisailam: Hi, how’re you still here?
Narsimma: [Doesn’t respond.]
Srisailam: Don’t you know Madanna is expected?
Narsimma: Is it in tow with Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal or what?
Srisailam: It’s no joking matter you know, the People’s War Group.
Narsimma: What else is it? Don’t they think bashing up the peddollu is going to solve our problems? And they call it revolutionary opposition, my foot. Let them go to hell with their naxalism, and better we mind our studies.
Srisailam: All said and done, is he not your langotiyaar?
Narsimma: If not why did I put up with that Majumdar’s 'Historic Eight Documents’ for so long?
Srisailam: I don’t know why you’re so cut up with him.
Narsimma: Why should I not be? You know he is of IAS stuff. Oh, how I did my best to convince him that as a District Collector he could have made a difference to the downtrodden. Besides, won’t a bright dalitboost the morale of our folks? If only you knew how I begged him not to put all that on the naxalline. But he spoiled it all for him and for us as well. Hasn’t he become a fugitive already?
Srisailam: So be it. He’s already the darling of the downtrodden and a high-up in the PWG .
Narsimma: Why forget even a dalambears his name? And he wants me as his deputy. It’s as if he’s making me the Vice-President of the nation.
Srisailam: I’m sure you’ve declined to pursue your god-damn studies.
Narsimma: You leave me to my studious fate and tell me why you’re eager to join the gang.
Srisailam: Why, do you feel we’re not oppressed enough to be aggressive?
Narsimma: If a few of us bash up a few of them, do you believe that would end our ordeals?
Srisailam: It may not be the end but surely it would be the beginning of the end.
Narsimma: Why, your revolutionary opposition is sure to invite their retaliatory repression. Won’t the cycle of violence stymie our struggle?