Shaukar Suryam: Don’t worry Lachhi. Aren’t you good enough to find a mate in double quick time? Do you think I’ll let you down in the meantime?

[Enter Papa Rao Patel in mufti and Head Constable Veeraiah in vardi.]

Shaukar Suryam: Randi Veeraiah garu,but sorry for the bother.

Veeraiah: Isn’t it my duty Shaukar Saab.

Papa Rao to Veeraiah: Mori Saab,don’t think Shaukar Saabwon’t how know risky it is for you?

Shaukar Suryam: Don’t I know Papa RaoPatelthat I’ve to provide an ‘all risks cover’ for Veeraiah garu.

Veeraiah: [Goes near Maisaiah’s body.] What happened to this fellow?

Papa Rao: Poor fellow died of snake bite Mori Saab.

Shaukar Suryam: If Veeraiah garu clears the air, they can cremate the body.

Lachamma: Mori Saab,please listen to me.

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Papa Rao: Didn’t you hear what Shaukar Saab has said? What is left for you to add?

Mallamma: Mori Saab,she’s his wife after all, and you’ve got to take her statement, won’t you?

Veeraiah: Keep your mouth shut or else I’ll drag you to the Police Naaka, and book you under the Brothel Act. You dirty bitch, what do you think of yourself?

Shaukar Suryam: Pardon her Veeraiah garu. After all, it hurts to lose one of their own. Now let’s go about the panchanama.

[Exit: Shaukar Suryam with his henchmen and Veeraiah.]

[Enter: Yadagiri, Mallamma’s brother. After condoling Lachamma, he whispers into Mallamma’s ear. In turn Mallamma whispers into Yellaiah’s ear.]

[Exit: All three of them. Curtains down.]

Scene - 3

[Curtains up: Maisamma on a stool besides two wooden chairs and Renuka on a mat in the hall of a kachabuilding in the dalit mohalla.]

Renuka: Why all this fuss naanamma?

Maisamma: Because our Renu has matured.

Renuka: So what.

Maisamma: Well, it’s the day that begins your nights.

Renuka: What do you mean by that?

[Maisamma whispers into Renuka’s ears.]

Renuka: But isn’t amma against baava.

Maisamma: Sadly she’s rooting for Saailu. Say you don’t want to wed any till you pass Matric, and we’ll see later.

Renuka: But why is naayanaafraid of amma?

Maisamma: Well, how long can it be hidden from you. Your mother is hand in glove with that cruel Papi Reddy, and so my poor Yadagiri is scared of him.

Renuka: I hear naayana call amma a loose woman. Who’s a loose woman naanamma?

Maisamma: Someone close to more than one man, but as things stand, it’s rare for a dalitwoman not to be loose, especially in youth. These peddollu force upon us and there is no way we can resist them.




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