ek tha EURO 3 - ATLAS Splurged!!!!!

Well, it did start out that way - the kid was born with a silver, golden and a platinum spoon in his mouth. He was sent to the best of the schools around the world under the best of the teachers and masters. His manners and habits - to the manor bred. Euro could speak many languages, was adept at many sports, could write poetry, could play the piano.

As he grew up into a handsome man - his liaisons started making more news than him. His charming manners coming from the aristocracy running in the genes were just irresistible to the women.

Rupee recollects some of the times when he had met Euro, usually at the sidelines of some international conferences or seminars. Euro had always shown the proper respect to Rupee - as instructed by his fathers - Frank, Marc, Guilder and Escudo.

There was also some rumours about Euro getting a bit too close with Reminbi. Rupee could not stiffle a muted laugh when he read about this news. He knew Reminbi as a neighbour. Things were just cordial with her. She was the daughter of the powerful Li Peng family. It was an odd alliance (if at all the courtings went public). He - tall, slim, fair, blue-eyed and blond haired and she - pale skinned, short, flat nosed. The union may have been a boon at a fiscal level but would have certainly been a disaster at a physical level!!!!!

Reminbi is still shopping in some mall nearby and anyways nobody seems to miss her here.

These rumours just died a natural death. Over the last few years, recollects Rupee, downing the last remnant of his peg- Euro had seemed to have gone a bit astray. There were rumours of gambling issues, loans from the markets etc.

What the f@#$!!! sighs Rupee and looks at the bar to order his next drink. Marc and cronies are now in full form. The Dollar$ are also in their full chatter. Pound is his silent self. The ladies are discussing something in hushed voices. Rupee settles in for a Horilka - a traditional Ukrainian spirit As the bartender mixes the drink, Rupee is reminded of a saying about this drink he had read somewhere in the past- though not quite able to place it where!!!

And bring us a lot of horilka, but not of that fancy kind with raisins, or with any other such things — bring us horilka of the purest kind, give us that demon drink that makes us merry, playful and wild!

—Taras Bulba, by Nikolai Gogol

Rupee now concentrates on some spirited self introspection. He has been doing quite ok in the recent months though he could have done a bit more better. He knows that many in this bar are betting their futures on him performing quite well in the future. He drifts into an idle thought of how he could tap these blokes around to......suddenly there is a commotion. Rupee turns around to see that Drachma with Lira and Peseta in tow have come towards the center of the bar room to announce something. She is waiting for the noisy din to subside. Rupee signals for a refill, turns his stool around towards the room.

 

As the bar comes to a silence- Drachma makes this appeal to all. The health of Euro has deteriorated over the last few years. He has weakened considerably. Over the last few years, he has gone astray with wrong company. He has been laundering money like anything. So, these stories were true- thought Rupee. There is some Francisco D'Anconia in whose company, Euro has been wasting his time and family fortunes. Drachma appeals to all in the bar to help her and her kid in whatever manner possible. Frank, Marc and Guilder - now shamefaced have nowhere to look around. All their gregarious disposition suddenly turning into a muted sigh. Drachma then signals to the waiter for two rounds of drinks for all. It's from me- says she. Rupee is strangely surprised - at one hand she is asking for financial help and at the same time she is paying for two rounds of drinks for all!!!! Wow- but never the one to miss anything free - Rupee signals for two Horilkas. 

 

Drachma's appeal has met with some mixed reactions. Sam hurriedly writes a cheque and hands it over to Drachma. He always seems to be the first one to help somebody and ....also the first one to bully the person under his obligation.

 

Suddenly the door swings open. In ambles Euro with a tall man with a face that looks like the first day of life. Euro has lost a lot of weight. His eyes are sunk, hair thinning. This person with Euro is Franciso D'Anconia. Rupee knows him. He is the descendent of one of the most distinguised families of Argentina and the sole heir to D'Anconia Metals. LN Mittal had introduced Rupee to Francisco at a private dinner in London.

Francisco has been a man universally despised and feared. Most people are just quite intimidated by him but not Rupee. Franciso has that effect on people. It has been rumoured that all Euro's philandering ways are only since he begun socialising with this world renowned playboy.

Drachma pulls Euro to a corner and probably explains that she has asked for some help from her old friends to bail him out of the current financial crises. Euro is furious. Why did she have to meddle in his affairs!!!! There is an altercation now - Euro sulking away and being pacified by Drachma, Lira and Peseta.

Francisco walks up to Rupee,"Hey dude!!! How are you doing?". Rupee smiles back,"Just as the world is expecting me to be doing Senor D'Anconia".
Francisco sips in Rupee's Horilka, taking a deep drag, comments,"you know Rupee, you are the smartest of them all in this room. Why don't you do something to rid the world from it's crises? You are known far and wide for your ingenuity".

Rupee replies,"Senor D'Anconia, long before you have come to exist - we Indians have believed that Atlas has shrugged off his shoulders many times. He now wishes to splurge his wealth and I intend to be the recipient!!!".
Francisco is looking in awe at Rupee," I intend to stop the motor of the world".
"Pray how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", cries Francisco.

Rupee just shrugs his shoulders," Who is John Galt?"