INT: PLATFORM 1, L2, KMS

SFX: LOADS OF CHIT-CHATS.

(SG MURTHY is on duty.)

SG MURTHY: (grumbles) To renew your pass, you either pay online through our website, or head downstairs and pay the amount. (beat) Yes sir, those stairs will lead you to it.

THE METRO ARRIVES (TIME SKIP)

SG MURTHY: (cheery) Yes, the first coach is reserved for women of all ages. Yes, your kids can come along, ma'am. Please, head this way.

ECHOING FOOTSTEPS (ANOTHER TIME SKIP)

SG MURTHY: Sir, you must stand behind the yellow line. (beat) Of course it's for your benefit. You won't fall off the platform.

(TIME SKIP) ANOTHER TRAIN ARRIVES. A 10-BEAT BEEP AS THE DOORS OPEN.

SG MURTHY: All the best for the exam! Don't worry ma'am, they won't ask much during the practicals.

A 10-BEAT BEEP AS THE DOORS CLOSE. THE TRAIN DEPARTS.

RECORDED VOICE: ಕೆಂಗೇರಿ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ರೈಲು ಎಂಟು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಎರಡು ನಂಬರ್ ಪ್ಲಾಟ್‌ಫಾರ್ಮ್‌ಗೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಲಿದೆ. (beat) The train to Kengeri will arrive at Platform Number 2 in eight minutes.

SG MURTHY: Sir, you can't go in. You have to renew your token. (beat) What, you've been sitting here for an hour. The token's valid for only half an hour. (sighs) ಸರ್, ಟೋಕನ್ ಕೇವಲ ಅರ್ಧ ಘಂಟೆಯವರೆಗೆ ಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ.ನೀವು ಹೊಸದನ್ನು ಖರೀದಿಸಬೇಕು.

THE CHIT-CHATS REDUCE TO A SOFT MURMUR. SILENCE FOLLOWS.

SG MURTHY: He won't understand the instructions or what? So many boards are put up here. And who doesn't know the helpdesk is downstairs?

SHE SITS ON THE BENCH. PAUSE.

(sighs) It's not my fault. I did do my job. How am I supposed to know he's trans? (beat) And it's been two weeks since they last came here. I wonder if they caught... argh, what am I doing?

ASST. THAPPAR: (off) Sarala?

SG MURTHY: Rajesh?

SHE GETS UP.

What happened?

FAST APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS

What's wrong?

ASST. THAPPAR: (panting) Nothing.

HE SITS ON THE BENCH.

I found out who the boy is.

SG MURTHY: What?

SHE RESUMES HER PLACE (THE ADJACENT BENCH).

Rajesh, you shouldn't have-

ASST. THAPPAR: You were right to suspect him. (beat) His friend was murdered.

SG MURTHY: Huh? (close) They must've caught the killer.

ASST. THAPPAR: The boy's name is Sanjay Prasanna. He's a second year at Christ.

SG MURTHY: Christ University? The one here?

ASST. THAPPAR: Yeah. His friend studied here too. (beat) Last month, she was found dead in the study hall. It was an OD.

SG MURTHY: Oh.

ASST THAPPAR: Everyone thought it was suicide, you know, until the police received a tip last week. (beat) The boy must've killed her. It seems they both were really close.

SG MURTHY: (mumbles) So they've cracked the case.

ASST. THAPPAR: You said something?

SG MURTHY: No no. (beat) How do you know so much? I'm not sure I've heard it in the news.

ASST. THAPPAR: Um...my friend's an assistant professor there. She told me.

SG MURTHY: Ah. And Rajesh, you shouldn't have looked into it. I've dropped that matter.(beat) And stop assuming that Sanjay killed he-his friend. Let the police finish investigating.

SLOW APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS.

ASST. THAPPAR: (whispers) The boy's here.

A CREAK AS SG MURTHY GETS UP.

SG MURTHY: (calls) Ma'am?

ASST. THAPPAR: Whom are you calling ma'am? There are no ladies.

SG MURTHY HEADS TO THE COMMUTER WHO SNIFFS.

SG MURTHY: Ma'am, are you alright?

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶  SANJANA: (sobs) Yes...w-what-t?

SG MURTHY: Um.

SHE UNZIPS HER JACKET POCKET AND TAKES OUT HER WALLET. SHE PULLS A CARD OUT.

I found this on the bench two weeks ago. I thought you would come the next day so I didn't deposit it in the lost-and-found.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: (sniffs) T-thank you. I-I've been s-search-ching f-for it.

SG MURTHY: Sorry about that. (beat) So, are you alright, ma'am? And where's your friend?

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: I'm g-good, ma'am. (softly laughs) And about Nidhi, s-she's... (sniffs) she's...

SG MURTHY: Oh. (beat) So, you found her murderer?

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: Yeah. (sniffs) Wait, how do you know this- Right, the investigation. (beat) He was our senior. Nidhi found out he killed two trans students last year, and that I, somehow was his next target... she was going to report to her aunt, who's an inspector, when...(sobs)

SG MURTHY: (sighs) Oh god.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: I'm happy that everyone will know that Nidhi didn't commit suicide. It's just that I could've prevented it. (beat) If I'd just checked if I'd deleted the browsing history... then he wouldn't have seen the form applications (sniffs) and Nidhi wouldn't have to...

SG MURTHY: (takes in a deep breath) Ma'am, I know how you feel right now. But you must know that it's not your fault. You didn't know what was going to happen, and even if you did, you would've done something to save Nidhi. (beat) You would, wouldn't you?

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: Of course. Is that even a question?

SG MURTHY: Then. (beat) Besides, you should be proud of yourself. It's difficult for people like us to help ghosts move on. You helped your best friend seek redemption.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: (sniffs) Yeah.

SQUEALING OF METRO RAIL AS IT ENTERS THE PLATFORM.

SG MURTHY: And ma'am, if you have anything to talk about, I'm always here. Don't hesitate to find me.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: (sniffs) Thank you.

SG MURTHY: Come this way, if you want to board the women's coach.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: Um no... thank you but, I want to go once I've fully transitioned. I don't want to make the other commuters uncomfortable.

WHIRRING OF ENGINES DECLINE AS THE TRAIN STOPS BEFORE THEM. A 10-BEAT BEEP AS THE DOORS OPEN.

S̶A̶N̶J̶A̶Y̶ SANJANA: Thank you for being here, akka.

SG MURTHY: (touched) You're welcome, Ms. Prasanna. Hope you reach your destination safely.

A 10-BEAT BEEP AS THE DOORS CLOSE. WHIRRING OF THE ENGINES AS THE TRAIN DEPARTS THE STATION.

SG MURTHY: (sniffs) Oh. Rajesh? I thought you left.

ASST. THAPPAR: No. (beat) About the investigation, I looked into it because I found out about your sister.

SG MURTHY: Oh.

ASST. THAPPAR: I'm sorry for your loss. If I had known, I would've visited.

SG MURTHY: You don't have to apologise. It's not your fault.

RECORDED VOICE: ಬೈಯಪನಹಳ್ಳಿ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುವ ರೈಲು ಮೂರು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದನೇ ನಂಬರ್ ಪ್ಲಾಟ್‌ಫಾರ್ಮ್‌ಗೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಲಿದೆ. ಪಾಸ್ ನವೀಕರಣಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ, ಮೊದಲ ಮಹಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಟೋಕನ್ ಕೌಂಟರ್‌ಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ. (beat) The train to BAIYAPANNAHALLI will arrive in three minutes. For pass renewals, please head to the token counters at Level 1.

ASST. THAPPAR: I didn't recognise your sister's voice...it was like, ten years since I last met her? (beat) Is that why you're working here? Even though she was (mumbles) murdered in a metro coach.

SG MURTHY: (takes in a deep breath) Yeah...

KARUNA: (off)Please, take the pepper spray, Sarala. You don't know when you need it.

SG MURTHY: Karuna akka was terrified whenever we'd travel in the metro.

KARUNA: (off)Sarala, let's just move to the women's coach, huh? Please.

SG MURTHY: If I had known she was being followed, then I would've.... (sighs) It's easy... telling others to not blame themselves for their loved ones' deaths. (beat) But, only the guilty know their guilt.

END.