Shaukar Suryam: Dora, didn’t you see the defiant look in him. If this is going to be the trend with them, then what would the future portend us?
Papa Rao: My son pesters me to shift to Karimnagar but I thought there’s no point in becoming a nonentity there. Now that these too don’t khatir us any more, maybe it calls for a rethink on my part.
Shaukar Suryam: Don’t lose heart Papa Rao Patel. Wait and watch as dora takes Yelligadu to task. Won’t Narsigadu fall in line then?
Papa Rao: Dora, looks like it has turned out to be two swords in a sheath syndrome now. It’s either they or us, and that’s for sure.
Muthyal Rao: Papa Rao Patel, all I can say is, wait till the morrow.
Shaukar Suryam: Dora, do remember, the proof of pudding is in the eating.
Muthyal Rao: Let come the dinner time. [He gets up.]
[Exit: Others too get up. Curtains down.]
Scene - 10
[Curtains up: Muthyal Rao, Papa Rao and Shaukar Suryam in the courtyard of Muthyal Rao’sgadi.]
Papa Rao: Why dora, Yelligadu hasn’t turned up so far!
Shaukar Suryam: Well, won’t he need time to pick up courage to come?
Muthyal Rao: And gather his wits as well.
[Enter: Head Constable Veeraiah amidst their laughter.]
Veeraiah: What makes the doraso mirthful, that too in these naxal times!
Muthyal Rao: Oh, leave it Veeraiah, what brings you here so often? Is it a second set-up or what?
Veeraiah: Dora, with sarkari salary where’s the scope for a havaldarhaving a chinnillu?
Shaukar Suryam: Maintain wife with salary, and sustain keep with mamools. Isn’t it the norm with the sarkari naukars?
Veeraiah: Shaukar Saab, it was the case in the good old days. But now, it’s the politicians that are lining their pockets, leaving us with soiled hands. By the way, is there any fish here that’s not in your net already?
Muthyal Rao: With so many brothels in the town why cry foul Veeraiah. Raid a den and you’re in. Isn’t it as simple as that?
Veeraiah: Dora, we’re more at raiding naxal hideouts these days. Now it’s all about braving bullets and not pulling pallus. Oh, these annalu and their god-damn intent to kill cops.
Papa Rao: Mori Saab, do you smell a rat here or what?
Veeraiah: Well, we suspect that Madanna Dalam has a mole here.
Muthyal Rao: Who could that be?
Veeraiah: Dora, looks like its Yellaiah’s son Narsimma. Once he was Madanna’s roommate at the SC-ST Hostel.