The Bit Role (500 words)

There was an office drama to be performed on New Year's Eve. Vijay did not wish to take part but was compelled by peer pressure to accept a bit role. He relented for a part that had no dialogue. As a passer-by on the road, he was to faint and fall on the platform abruptly. That called for no histrionic skill but only the ability to fall naturally. With regular practice, he accomplished it with finesse in the day’s rehearsal during lunch interval.

He suddenly remembered that he was to withdraw 50 thousand rupees and rushed to the bank nearby. It was moderately crowded. As he was writing the cheque on the tall desk, he observed one lanky guy with a Hitler moustache watching him from a corner. Neither did he like the man’s creepy look nor his slouching figure with a cigarette in hand in a NO SMOKING area.

 He turned his face away from him and was waiting for his number to be called. The guy came surreptitiously and sat in the adjacent chair. There were a few people near the teller. As Vijay approached the teller on his number appearing on the board, he saw the man also following him. But he ignored him till he felt a metallic thing press his hip after he pocketed the money he received. The ruffian whispered in his ears, “Walk normally towards the gate if you don’t wish to get hurt”

Vijay glanced around and saw people minding their own business, filling forms, depositing money, receiving cash or just waiting for numbers to appear. The crook nudged him asking him to move forward quickly. He seemed ruthless with a scar across his cheek confirming his criminal past but nobody seemed to watch Vijay being herded by the crook.

He started perspiring heavily as the nudge became a shove. Suddenly the idea hit him- the rehearsal. The next moment he crumbled like a pie by fainting on the floor with a resounding thud. Everyone turned towards him and rushed around him forming a circle, feeling him and gently nudging him. Someone sprinkled water on his face from a bottle. The crook moved away sensing the inopportune situation. The anxious people heaved a sigh of relief when Vijay opened his eyes. He looked around to find the crook no more in the vicinity.

He sat up and said” Thank you all. I think it was a sudden blackout. I am fit to go. Can a couple of you kindly escort me to my vehicle?”

As he sat at the wheel, he told the kind-hearted gentlemen, “Do not worry. I am fully fit and can drive safely. Thanks a bunch for the support.’

As he drove away, Vijay couldn’t help but chuckle. Who knew his bit role in the office drama would turn out to be such a lifesaver? He felt a surge of gratitude for his realistic act and, for once, didn’t mind the peer pressure that had pushed him into it.