It was two in the morning when a man named, Adhir, 38, was sitting alone in a bank’s cafeteria.
His day before began with a neatly pressed shirt, trousers and a tie. But now the tie was gone, the shirt was unbuttoned showing off the T-shirt underneath.
At that moment his hand was resting on a half empty pale yellow coffee mug. The reason I say “resting” is because despite such a large amount of coffee in his system Adhir was still feeling sleepy.
“Adhir. What are you doing here this late in the night? Go sleep properly otherwise you’ll sprain your neck or something.” said an old man while waking up Adhir.
ADHIR: Oh… good evening, sir. I have to finish this file before the deadline… by tomorrow morning.
OLD MAN: I believe you mean today morning. It’s already quarter past two.
ADHIR: Already?!
ADHIR: Sir, if I may ask, what are you doing here?
OLD MAN: I too am completing a file. Hopefully my last file since I am going to retire tomorrow.
“Getting retired is the best feeling… you know?” said the old man while sitting down with his yellowish-brown coffee mug. “No more overtime, no salary cuts and no begging for a holiday.”
Since the old man was sharing his feelings, Adhir thought of sharing his feelings as well.
ADHIR: I too am planning to quit soon.
OLD MAN: And do what?
ADHIR: I will return to my village and start my own bank.
OLD MAN: Then what are you waiting for?
ADHIR: To earn enough money, so that I don’t have to look for financers… and some more expertise, which is ironic since I feel dumber than what I was when I started working here.
OLD MAN: Looks like the Devil’s bargain has started showing its side effects.
ADHIR: Devil’s bargain?
OLD MAN: It’s a word I have coined. A devil’s bargain is where, ‘they buy your time in exchange for money with a promise that one day you will have enough money to fulfill all your dreams and wishes.’ Unfortunately that day never comes.
ADHIR: Oh, okay. Don’t worry, I will retire for sure. But for now let me print some papers and leave.
“Do you need prints?” A young intern appeared out of nowhere.
ADHIR: What are you doing here this late in the night?
INTERN: I stayed just in case you needed any printouts or photocopy.
Adhir noticed that the intern was feeling sleepy and so he asked him to have some coffee. Acknowledging that the intern sat down with his bright white coffee mug. Suddenly Adhir felt mischievous. Looking at the intern he spoke.
ADHIR: What are your plans for your future? Say ten years from now what position you want to be at? A branch manager perhaps, like me?
“No. After my six months of internships I’ll go to my village and start my own bank.” said the intern with confidence, “Actually I know everything I need to know and my uncle has promised to give me the necessary funds. The reason I am here is because according to him I need to earn “credibility”.”
Adhir didn’t expect this as an answer. Hearing him speak with such “naive confidence” (Adhir’s words) made the other two chuckle.
ADHIR: Alright smart guy, go take those printouts so that I can leave.
The intern exited the cafe. Then Adhir turned to the old man and asked,
ADHIR: What do you think, will he leave after his internship?
OLD MAN: No, he won’t. He will soon fall into a ‘Devil’s trap’. Another coinage of mine.
“You see these people, they constantly monitor your progress. The moment they realize that you are earning more than you need, they will raise your needs by giving you a car, a house or a loan; just to ensure that you stick around.”
Adhir got annoyed hearing the old man’s baseless theories and made-up terminologies.
ADHIR: Wait, hold on. I salute your wisdom but let me ask you this. Who are this ‘they’ you are talking about?
OLD MAN: Us. We are the ‘they’. I did this to you and you will do the same to him.
Adhir was losing his patience and so he decided to end the conversation.
ADHIR: So… at this age of retirement you must have enough money and expertise to start your own bank in your village, right?
“No. My village is now a ghost town. Nobody below 70 lives there anymore.
Besides I don’t remember half of the things I learned while I worked here. Maybe that is why they are retiring me six months early.
Contrary to the popular belief the devil is not after your money, property or your gold. He is after your brain which is why I call this strategy a ‘Brain Drain’.”
I think by the end you must have realized that all three of them are Adhir. The same person at different stages of life.
Now, only one of them is real. That I can say for sure. But which one, that I leave for you to decide.
END
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