INT: CORRIDOR, L1, KMS
(SG MURTHY enters the first floor. SANJAY stands on the other end, still before the restroom doors.)
RECORDED VOICE: (off) ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಗಮನಿಸಿ. ಇಂದಿರಾನಗರ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ರೈಲು ಎಂಟು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದನೇ ನಂಬರ್ ಪ್ಲಾಟ್ಫಾರ್ಮ್ಗೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಲಿದೆ. ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಹಳದಿ ರೇಖೆಯ ಹಿಂದೆ ನಿಂತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ. (beat) Attention please. The train to INDIRANAGAR will arrive at Platform Number 1 in 8 minutes. Please stand behind the yellow line while waiting.
APPROACHING MARCHING BOOTS.
SG MURTHY: That coach was reserved for a bloody reason. Stupid men shouldn't use the spaces reserved for the female commuters' safety, even naive-looking college boys. (beat) Rules are not meant to be broken!
SHE HALTS.
But how did the CCTV not catch that moment? And why don't I remember taking any action when I saw the boy board the coach? (beat)(close) Wait... isn't that the boy from the footage?
SANJAY: What's taking her so long? (beat) Why am I even waiting for her?
SG MURTHY: (close) Stay calm, Sarala. Don't jump. Catch him when he does it again.
SHE MARCHES TOWARD SANJAY.
(calls) Excuse me, sir?
SANJAY: Um (close) She's the guard who- (clears throat) Y-yes.
SG MURTHY: Sir, are you facing any problems? Lost or-
SANJAY: N-no, no problem. Just... wanted to check the restroom.
LOW SOUND OF RUNNING WATER FOR 2 SECS. FOLLOWED BY A BANG AS THE DOOR OPENS.
NIDHI: Argh, that stinks. Why can't these people keep room fresheners? I almost puked there. (beat) So, did you finally go in?
SG MURTHY: Ma'am, you know this person?
NIDHI: Yes. He's my bestie.
SG MURTHY: Hm, okay. And sir, don't stand there. You're blocking the path to the women's restroom.
SANJAY: Y-y-yes, ma'am.
AN INDECIPHERABLE CRACKLE CUTS IN. SG MURTHY CLICKS HER TRANSMITTER.
SG MURTHY: Yes, sir. Coming sir.
A PAUSE. THEN SG MURTHY WALKS AWAY.
NIDHI: Why are you so wide-eyed? And close your mouth, will you? Your breath already stinks of that dumproom.
SANJAY: She saw you.
NIDHI: Huh?
SANJAY: The guard fricking saw you. (beat) I thought you were just a hallucination.
NIDHI: (scoffs) So now you believe me?
SANJAY: Of course I still don't. Not after what happened this past month.
NIDHI: (offended and guilty) Ya, don't say like that.
SANJAY STORMS OFF.
Sanju! Where are you going?
YOU ARE READING
The Women's Coach
ParanormalPG - 16 || A 6,000 word radio play set in Kengeri Metro Station, Bangalore, India.
