Scene 17 – Merlin Gets Ready For Action

PDSC checked the address of this buyer of surveillance equipment. Merlin. He knew where he lived. Would be a good idea to first surprise him. Surprise was a key element in his work. Hit them unawares. He made up his mind to pay Merlin a visit first. He wanted to find out how many more tapes were available. How did they get these recorded? Man!!! Big time!!! He will tackle Sarkar after finding out how much ‘backing’ he had from someone high up. He looked at his watch. The night time would be good to deal with Merlin. He had a few hours to kill. He could sneak up and see the Da Vinci Code at PVR in Forum. And then it would be sufficiently dark to go down and pay Merlin visit. PDSC smiled. This was turning out to be an awesome day.

Not far away, Merlin crawled back into his surveillance den. That was a heavy evening snack indeed! Curd rice. The curds were a tad bit sour but the pickles had made it feel heavenly. He burped heartily, and scratched his bald pate. That awesome feeling of satisfaction when he scratched himself. He smiled. Flicked some switches and had the images come up. All fourteen screens were on. But he knew it would be dull evening. Not much of procreation activity happened during this time of the day, though there was this one wild dog that was unpredictable. He was hoping he will become active today. One of the screens caught his attention. Shocking. Indeed it was shocking for he was now watching Musten of all the people. Musten, who had designed and developed his spy cams. He was the one who came up with the idea of lizard shaped surveillance cameras. It was brilliant. Merlin wanted cockroaches. He felt that was appropriate. But Musten was clear. People could stamp out or smash cockroaches or try some stupid spray. But when it came to lizards they were very averse to getting close to it. They looked away. It was safer with the lizard-model. The lizards were programmed to also move up and down the walls. And Merlin could also control them from his den. How in the world did Musten leave one in his own bathroom? Oh!! He must have used one for testing purposes and forgot. Merlin zoomed in on Musten now, and flipped on the audio. Musten was dialing on his mobile phone. Merlin watched and listened intently.

Musten: Roop?

Roop: JJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJJJJJJJJUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!

Musten: Hey, what is this am hearing?

Roop: Haan Jijju, me coming to India!!!

Musten: Why?

Roop: To find my brother!

Musten: [confused] Brother? What brother?

Roop: Oh, I will tell you when am there!

Musten: No, don’t come here, it is very dangerous a country for women you know! Every third women here gets molested and every chap here in India is a potential molester.

Roop: Why me worry, aaap hai na!!

Musten: Mein? Kis kaam ka?

Roop: Arre Jiju, don’t worry, I am sure you will take good care of me

Musten: Haan I will but you stay there now, because…

Roop: Oh Jijju, I will talk later to you. I need to make some posts on BB and then pack for my early morning flight to India!! BYE!!!

Roop disconnects.

Musten: Arre ROOP!! ROOP!!!! HELLO!! HELLO!!!!!!

From outside the bathroom door

Tas: Hmmm, what are you yelling for Roop inside the bathroom?

Musten: Arre, I was asking for SOAP!! SOAP!!!!

Tas: hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Musten realized it was becoming grave, the situation. He had to act quickly. He couldn’t have Roop coming here, when he was headed to Calgary. The entire plans will collapse. He had to stop her. There was only one hope now. He had to call Chandru. He was the only one who could now help. As he wondered, and his gaze went over the bathroom walls he suddenly saw his own creation – the lizard spy cam!

Musten: Aiyoo Ramaaa!! I forgot to remove this one!!

As he reached to remove the spy cam, Merlin chuckled to himself. He couldn’t follow what was going on.

Elsewhere, not aware of the developments Sarkar dragged JJ into the jail where Ramesh and Vince were already lodged. Seeing JJ come in Ramesh sprang to his feet. He rushed towards him.

Ramesh: MOI MACCHAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!

JJ: Huh? You here too ?

Ramesh: MOI MACCHAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!

Ramesh jumps and hugs JJ, and both go sprawling on the floor as Vince winces looking at them.