( Drama )
Title : Drollery of Pickpocket. :Time:3 to 5 minutes.
One-Act-Play ./. Place : Metrocity of Calcutta. India./. TIME : 1965.
Genre: Humour
Protagonist : Gargi.
Antagonist; Pickpocket
Other characters : Two friends of gargi , Few college students (both girls and boys and others).
Venue : ...... Public double-decker bus.
Words=959// page =7
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The Narrator :
Calcutta was the #1 One overpopulated megacity of the world at the time of 1960s . It was hard to take ride into the bus during office hours in any mid- stoppage, as the buses became full at the starting point. From 9am to10Am. morning and 4:30--5:30 Pm. was the peek hours .
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Act One Scene 1
Gargi with two other friends came outside of the university gate; noticed some of their known friends taking chat excitedly. Someone suggested ," Instead of waiting it's better for us to take a walk for home; perhaps by this time ,we could have reached home safely.
Gargi. asked them: ' Hi, do you know how long the last bus left this stoppage?"
They( crushing their teeth) said in chorus voice ,"just now! Ju--st now two overloaded buses, successively like tweens, passed by us without halting the stoppage ! The conductor waived his hand to mean he had no other way !".
Gargi :" Looking at the watch , it 'sjust 4 o' clock! She thought it shouldn't be so ,!
A man : Today there is a mammoth gathering in Esplanade for Election campaign. So some roads have been blocked ; Only two buses are available from here."
Gargi : I see .
Mallika screamed :"voila , some bus is coming !" to get ready she jumped down the road from side ways so that bus couldn't cross.
Gargi : " Lo! you seemed to become a patriot , a. crusador for getting the bus !"
Just like warrior in army they somehow boarded the bus . Another fight was waiting for Gargi ;because she hast to drop also in the mid way .
( Scene -11)
Reaching to hostel Gargi was very excited to show her new purse ,just bought on the very day ,to her roommates . But she searched and searched inside the big bag ,for carrying books and copies , but in vain .
Roommate (Looking eagerly ) commented : A-ww. it'sgone , now it must be owned by the wife or girlfriend of the pickpocket.
Gargi sat sadly . She looked tired : "you know, I bought it from the fancy showroom of the College Street. It attracted me from the showcase ; I entered the shop and bought that exotic purse which was Quite expensive for a student . But I needed some new to replace the old one; ( she ,as if, justified herself for being extravagant ) I emptied my old shaggy purse for that new one .Then I Put my two library cards of the university ,another one of the British Library ,and 3 copies of passport sized photo into the new purse but not a single penny was left for the purse !Because I spent all the money for it.
While putting the new purse inside my side bag safely , I imagined proudly that it would be 'Owner's pride and neighbour's envy" .....
Roommate snatched the conversation:"HA-,Ha ha "" Pride has now crowned to somebody else's fortune......
Other roommate added : the thief must shower a plethora of abusing words for you, for not having a single penny and that too , a lady's purse which would be of no use for him ! You have spoiled his toilsome risky effort of the day !
Gargi became irritated with this jokes . She murmured sadly "it was too uncommon to find the second one ! She had to bother for issuing new library cards for having access to the library But she was really anxious to think of her address and photos which evidenced her personal informations; If the pickpocket belonged to gang and tried to exploit her ! She heard Calcutta was a notorious place for professional pick pocket gang who are trained ( in special institute ) under gang leader. She was worried
It made the roommates also worried ,they came near her to console , sincerely .
Kajol, one of the roommate ,Said ,'my uncle is chief inspector in Lal Bajar Police Station. Let me report him the fact and ask for his suggestion !
( Scene-111)
After passing two days in tension, Gargi got a parcel delivered from the Post office . She opened it curiously and screamed in surprise and joy to see her lost new purse ! She hurriedly pulled the chain to open all the folders and relieved to see everything in place But she found out an additional envelop in one of the folder. She unfolded the paper which was actually a note for her :
"Hey, penny-pinching lady, don't you feel ashamed to move with empty purse, wretched than a beggar? I have to spend even the postage from my own pocket! Such a disgraceful instance in the biographical history of pickpockets in the world !"
" Gargi commented emotionally,
" Thank god ! honesty is not eloped still from this earth !
Kajol grinned and winked eyes to other roommate to say ,
' no god to thank at all , my friend ! It is your "photo"left inside the purse !
....Hmm, what to expect next ?”
I am sure very soon a love letter from this Roam-antique fellow will come addressing you :
Hello , Heart-picker [or broker/breaker ?] , ..........
Gargi blew the rolled newspaper to her...
--" you mean, silly creature !'. . ..
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