Percentages

As the 99% moon stood over Vijayawada, the Rayalguda passenger train noiselessly slid into platform #2. There were no lights on. A few nervous souls hurried into the first compartment even before the train came to a complete stop. They got off just as hurriedly and rushed toward the back of the train. Seeing them, the entire crowd of people on the platform, 99% of whom were tonsured, rose as one and scattered towards the front and back of the train, where one usually finds the unreserved compartments. There was still no noise in spite of the speed and energy with which the crowd tried to find the best seating and sleeping places. They ran, one or two members of each group running faster than the rest of the group, but maintained body to body contact to a minimum. They didn't seem happy or sad. Very neutral, like coconut palms. Most of them would reach their homes late into the night after 2 or 3 a.m.

A eunuch got onto my train. She wore a purple sari. She stopped when she saw me and stretched out her palm. I fished out 2 rupees and placed it there. She took a 5 rupee note from her stash of 5s, 10s and 50s and offered me that and the 2 rupees I had given. Apparently she felt insulted. I wondered why she was exempt from joining the industrial revolution. Perhaps because she wasn't classifiable 100%.
The moon continued to shine down brilliantly as my train left the station.

Vijayawada