Saugata Chakraborty

[SCENE START]

INT. A BOOKSTORE – DAY

Saugata is frantically pacing while Shantilal, looking dishevelled as ever, leans nonchalantly on a bookshelf.

SAUGATA:

(Waving his arms) The 15th?! But that’s barely enough time to alert my legions of adoring fans!

Shantilal! This is madness! Utter, complete, absolute madness!

SHANTILAL:

(Raises an eyebrow) Oh, do calm down, my dear Saugata. A little chaos adds spice to life, wouldn’t you agree?

SAUGATA:

(Throws his hands up) Spice?! The release date for ‘Mostly Mundane’ has been moved up two weeks! We’re talking about a seismic shift in the literary landscape! I haven’t even finished polishing my acceptance speech for the inevitable literary awards and you’re talking about spice? SPICE!

SHANTILAL:

(Smooths his moustache) Ah, but isn’t a seismic shift just a grander form of spice? A bit more… potent, perhaps.

SAUGATA:

(Stares incredulously) You… you are unbelievable.

Just then, Suhail, the famous literary agent, enters, looking slightly flustered.

SUHAIL:

What on earth is going on here, Bro? I hear talk of seismic shifts and potent spice…

SAUGATA:

(Turns to Suhail with relief) Oh, thank goodness you’re here! Shantilal seems to think this whole release date fiasco is a minor inconvenience!

SHANTILAL:

(Chuckles) My dear Saugata, you mustn’t fret. The world is eagerly awaiting the chronicles of my exploits. A little change in schedule only heightens the anticipation.

SAUGATA:

(Sighs) Shantilal, while I appreciate your optimism, we have marketing plans, bookstore arrangements…

SHANTILAL:

(Waves a dismissive hand) Details, my friend, mere details. Leave those to the capable hands of Suhail here. I’m certain he’ll navigate this minor turbulence with his usual aplomb.

Shantilal winks at Suhail, then turns and strolls away, whistling a jaunty tune.

SAUGATA:

(Shakes his head) Sometimes, I swear, that man exists solely to test my sanity.

SUHAIL:

(Pats Saugata on the back) Come on, let’s go grab a coffee. And then we’ll figure out how to handle this… seismic shift.

Suhail and Saugata exit for the bookstore cafe, leaving behind a trail of bewildered laughter.

[SCENE END]

[Curtains]