The smoke-filled office of Mostly Mundane Publications was a picture of contrasting emotions. Shantilal, the publisher, exuded an air of unshakeable optimism, while Saugata, the author, resembled a deflated balloon.
“Chin up, old chap!” boomed Shantilal, slapping Saugata on the back with the force of a minor earthquake. “Three days is but a blink in the grand scheme of literary triumphs. The initial frenzy may have subsided, but the seeds of word-of-mouth magic have been sown!”
Saugata, however, remained unconvinced. “Word-of-mouth, Shantilal? It sounds like a desperate plea from a drowning man clinging to a passing twig.”
Shantilal chuckled, his ample belly jiggling like a bowlful of jelly. “Ah, Saugata, your pessimism is as predictable as the English weather. But fear not, my friend, for I have witnessed the power of word-of-mouth firsthand. It is a force more potent than a thousand book reviews, more persuasive than a battalion of marketing gurus.”
“But how can we be sure?” Saugata persisted, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. “The book has been out for three days, and sales have been… well, let’s just say they haven’t exactly set the world on fire.”
Shantilal leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Patience, my dear Saugata, patience. Word-of-mouth is like a slow-burning fuse. It takes time to ignite, but once it does, the explosion is spectacular. Trust me, old chap, Mostly Mundane will soon be the talk of the town, the toast of literary circles, the book everyone is clamoring to read.”
Saugata sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I hope you’re right, Shantilal. I really do.”
“Of course I’m right!” Shantilal declared, his voice booming like a cannon shot. “And when Mostly Mundane conquers the bestseller lists, remember who predicted its triumph. You’ll owe me a crate of the finest scotch, old chap!”
Saugata managed a weak smile. “If that day ever comes, Shantilal, you can have the entire distillery.”
N.B. Those who do not want to let Shantilal lose the opportunity to have his distillery err… distilled water can order their copies of Mostly Mundane at:
Saugata Chakraborty 
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