Unfinished Story
THE POLITICIAN AND THE SOLDIER
Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
______
PROLOGUE
Dear Reader – before I start
telling you the story of “The Politician and The Soldier” – let me first introduce
myself – the narrator of this story.
I am the politician’s “manager” –
his “right-hand man” – his “major-domo” – his “all in one” assistant – or – if
you wish to use more uncharitable terms – I am his flunkey – his lackey – his stooge
– his minion – you can call me what you like – but I have become indispensable
to him.
My “Master” – the politician – he
is the “uncrowned king” of the place – wealthy – powerful – he controls
everything – and – nothing moves here without his approval.
Everyone is terrified of him –
including me.
_______
PART 1
One evening the phone rings – the
landline number.
It is the “Soldier”.
“Is he there…?” the soldiers asks
me.
“Yes…” I say – and I connect the
call.
The “soldier” speaks to the “politician”
for around 5 minutes.
Then the “politician” summons me
inside his office and says to me: “Is there anything in the evening…?”
“Yes…” I say, “you have to attend
the party meeting followed by dinner…”
“Tell them I am not coming…” he
says.
“Sir – it is a very important
meeting – top party leaders are coming – the general-secretary will also be
there – you must go there…”
“Nothing is more important than
my friend – I have already told him to come for dinner – you call up my wife
and tell her to make something special – get whatever she wants from the market
– and organize some good snacks to go with the booze…” he says.
“Sir – should I arrange some “Single
Malt” Whisky…” I ask him.
“You have been with me for 3
years now – don’t you know – my friend will be getting a bottle of “Military
Rum” for me…” the “politician” admonishes me.
_________
PART 2
The “Soldier” arrives at 7 PM in
the evening.
The “Politician” is genuinely delighted
to see him.
“What have you got for me…?” the “politician”
asks the “soldier”.
The “soldier” pulls out a bottle
of rum from his bag.
“Ah…” the “politician” says, “let’s
go inside and open the bottle…”
The “soldier” goes inside.
I look at the “politician” and
say: “Sir – I have got all types of snacks – chicken dry fry, mutton kababs,
fish fry, peanuts, pakoras etc. – and – I have briefed the servants how to
serve them…”
“Good…” the “politician” says to
me, “did you tell my wife…?”
“Yes, Sir – she is preparing a
special meal…”
“Wonderful…” the “politician”
says.
“Sir – I have informed them that
you won’t be attending the meeting as you are indisposed…”
“Ha – Ha – “indisposed” – you have
become an expert at inventing excuses…” the “politician” says, “you can go home
now – if I want something – I will call you…”
“Thank you, Sir…” I say – and – I
turn towards the office to lock it up.
The “politician” goes inside his
house to join his friend – the “soldier”.
______
To be continued…
______
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