News Reader: This is All India Radio. The news read by Swathi Rangarajan. Here’s a flash. Acting on intelligence, the A.P. Police have nabbed Madanna, a high ranking PWG leader from a hideout in Hyderabad. Even as he was frisked away to an undisclosed location, fearing retaliatory raids by the Madanna Dalam,the Government has placed the police on the alert. In the other headlines…
[Nirmala switches off the transistor, and looks at Narsimma anxiously.]
Sarakka: So, it takes them twenty-four hours to break the news.
Nirmala: I’m worried that he may be harmed anna.
Narsimma: It’s my word Nirmalakka; I’ll go to any lengths to see he is freed.
Nirmala: Don’t I know that anna. But still, I’m afraid as he’s high on their wanted list.
Narsimma: Renu, you better take her out and steady her nerves.
[Exit: Renuka with Nirmala.]
[Narsimma huddles himself with Mallanna, Srisailam and Sarakka.]
Mallanna: Who could’ve betrayed peddanna?
Narsimma: Can’t the post-mortem wait Mallanna. Let’s think of a tit-for-tat to free him.
Srisailam: But anna, now that they’re on the alert, I don’t see any soft targets to kidnap.
Narsimma: Who wants a soft target now? Well, we’ve to think it big. Won’t a tough ask with sentimental value soften their stance.
Sarakka: Why not the I.G’s kid if he has one.
Narsimma: Isn’t the I.G old enough to be a grandfather. Well, that works out better as he will be under varied pressure. Find out and plan for that. If not, think about some other kid with value addition. But who shall be on the mission.
Sarakka: Being a woman, won’t I be the best suited.
Narsimma: Well, you be at the forefront as we provide the back-up.
Mallanna: Why not you hold our fort as Srisailam and I will help her raid theirs.
Narsimma: Best of luck, but don’t throw caution to the winds, the dalamcan’t afford to lose any of you.
[Exit: Mallanna, Srisailam and Sarakka.]
[Enter: Renuka and Nirmala.]
Nirmala: What happened to our couriers?
Narsimma: Well, for now, no news is good news. But Mallanna and others have left to create some very soon.
Renuka: Have you sent them on a rescue mission or what?
Narsimma: Well, we don’t even know where he’s kept.
Renuka: I think it’s time we think of penetrating their ranks.
Narsimma: It’s not a bad idea in the long run. Well, you look after the counter intelligence of the dalam. But for now, it’s about kidnapping one kid or the other of the I.G’s household.