Rupee was, for a long time; in wait of an opportune moment. Perhaps that moment had come - to pull the plug off the world and take control. For long he had been an underdog. Some years under the shadow of his authoritative father, then simply because the world was full of these new money chaps. The wealthiest of the wealthy are all in the room tonight. Rupee thinks about how to set in motion - a dream he had harboured for so many years now.
He first instructs Francisco D'Anconia to keep Euro at bay- meaning, continue his spending spree on the most useless parties and extravaganzas. Rupee gives Francisco a telephone number. This is Mukeshbhai's personal number. Mukeshbhai is one of the world's leading Hawala operator Rupee prides upon their ilk. These Westerners - never have been successful at scams or embezzlements... always getting caught. Look at Indians, from the times immemorable, we have been beating the system at it's own game. Mukeshbhai is the fifth generation operator in his family. Legends have it that his great great great grandfather was the one to create the silk route while bootlegging precious goods across Europe to India.
Rupee makes a mental note to ring up Mukeshbhai to instruct him about a standing credit to be given to Francisco for Euro's excesses. Mukeshbhai will know how to put this money as a bad debt in some company's books and wipe out it's existence. So resourceful of him!!!!!
There is a chatter. Rupee can make out the new voice. Holy @#$% it s that Chinky girl - Reminbi. She is a good catch, though not a good match :). Not many in the room like her, she is flush with money and she usually is neither liked much nor understood much by most in the bar. People just are a bit wary of her because of the nouveau riches she flaunts. Rupee hails her, she comes to the bar table smiling and struggling with 3 or 4 bags filled with crap she has just bought. She says something in her almost-non comprehensive English but Rupee makes it out to be a greeting. Rupee in a very slow lingering tone explains to her," You very very beautiful girl. Sam you likes. You Sam like?" to which Reminbi excitedly nods her head. Rupee, gaining confidence continues,"but Audi like you too, you like Audi?". Reminbi nods her head vigorously in negation. Continues Rupee,"Good, now you must make Sam jealous ok?" She nods her head in understanding. "Go and flirt with Sterling there... it is ok, he wont understand anything that you will tell him, just order the best whiskey in the bar for him and me and sit there and just keep on talking, you me understand?'. Reminbi ruminates this instruction and after a second or two, nods her head," Yes Can Can!!!". "Good Girl.. Go, by the way - tell daddy to take back soldiers mans from my border, ok? Now, you become Mrs. Sam - no army no war ok?" She smiles at Rupee,"Ok- I tell to daddy for no soldier at Rupee place".
As she leaves to flirt with Pound, Rupee orders for the best Scotch on the list by the bottle and points towards Reminbi for the cheque.
Rupee raises a toast to patriotism!!!! He had been spending a significant sum of money over the past many years to safeguard his residence's boundaries from the Chinese. Now, Papa's little girl will howl and cry and do whatever it takes to get daddy to bring the soldiers from the boundary. He swigs a peg of whiskey neat!!! As the golden elixir burns through his throat, there is a warm feeling in his body. There is still some work to be done. Rupee takes out a cigarette and lights up. As he exhales after a deep puff, an idle thought crosses his mind - the mighty fire tamed at human's finger tips!!! Wow!!! After finishing off the cigarette, Rupee ambles towards the washroom. Once done, while coming out - he sees Audi. Rupee has another thought now," Hey man!!! Howya doin? Graaet?". Audi immedately replies back in the same twang,"Yo man Rupee!!! I m doin graaet, just ran short of caash for my beer and lookin for a card machine". Rupee," Chill maan, come with me to the bar- your beer is on mai!!!" Both head back to the bar, Rupee gestures the bartender to provide a pitcher of local Ukrainian ale - Magnate. Rupee just gives a slight glance towards Reminbi who by now is chattering away in front of a bemused Pound when the bartender indicates a cheque.
As Audi takes a dip slug from the beer glass - Rupee casually lays the bait," you know mait - that chick there... the rich one there chatting with Sterling has fallen for you. She is sitting there just to make you jealous. The only problem in this alliance is that even your cousin Sam has laid his eyes on this chick. Think about it - your alliance with her will make you the most powerful guy in the APAC region." Audi's cheeks are turning red. Rupee smiles within himself. His work is done now. There will be a fallout in these Dollars. Audi gulps the entire remainder of the ale, gives a sly smile to Rupee, picks up a cigarette without asking, walks across to his table where his ilk are seated. Soon, in no time, there is a marked increase in the decibel levels from the Dollars' table The sisters have started taking sides and the family is looking towards a major showdown.
Now that Euro is wasting the prime of his youth and the Dollar family seemingly heading towards a fight and the Chinky Reminbi being as confused as ever and with the fathers and mothers of Euro being wrought in pain because of the present condition of their kid - Rupee now plans for his final card...The Great Indian Jugaad!!!!
As she leaves to flirt with Pound, Rupee orders for the best Scotch on the list by the bottle and points towards Reminbi for the cheque.
Rupee raises a toast to patriotism!!!! He had been spending a significant sum of money over the past many years to safeguard his residence's boundaries from the Chinese. Now, Papa's little girl will howl and cry and do whatever it takes to get daddy to bring the soldiers from the boundary. He swigs a peg of whiskey neat!!! As the golden elixir burns through his throat, there is a warm feeling in his body. There is still some work to be done. Rupee takes out a cigarette and lights up. As he exhales after a deep puff, an idle thought crosses his mind - the mighty fire tamed at human's finger tips!!! Wow!!! After finishing off the cigarette, Rupee ambles towards the washroom. Once done, while coming out - he sees Audi. Rupee has another thought now," Hey man!!! Howya doin? Graaet?". Audi immedately replies back in the same twang,"Yo man Rupee!!! I m doin graaet, just ran short of caash for my beer and lookin for a card machine". Rupee," Chill maan, come with me to the bar- your beer is on mai!!!" Both head back to the bar, Rupee gestures the bartender to provide a pitcher of local Ukrainian ale - Magnate. Rupee just gives a slight glance towards Reminbi who by now is chattering away in front of a bemused Pound when the bartender indicates a cheque.
As Audi takes a dip slug from the beer glass - Rupee casually lays the bait," you know mait - that chick there... the rich one there chatting with Sterling has fallen for you. She is sitting there just to make you jealous. The only problem in this alliance is that even your cousin Sam has laid his eyes on this chick. Think about it - your alliance with her will make you the most powerful guy in the APAC region." Audi's cheeks are turning red. Rupee smiles within himself. His work is done now. There will be a fallout in these Dollars. Audi gulps the entire remainder of the ale, gives a sly smile to Rupee, picks up a cigarette without asking, walks across to his table where his ilk are seated. Soon, in no time, there is a marked increase in the decibel levels from the Dollars' table The sisters have started taking sides and the family is looking towards a major showdown.
Now that Euro is wasting the prime of his youth and the Dollar family seemingly heading towards a fight and the Chinky Reminbi being as confused as ever and with the fathers and mothers of Euro being wrought in pain because of the present condition of their kid - Rupee now plans for his final card...The Great Indian Jugaad!!!!
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