(Image via codingspencer.com)
“Did I overdo it this time?”
“Hmm. Maybe, maybe not.”
“Do you think I blew my cover?”
“Well, we thought that the last time, but it didn’t happen. They are just too dumb!”
“Alright. So other than that, how was it?”
“Genius!”
“Thanks!”
“You know, sometimes I wonder, how do you do it? It hardly looks like pretense. I mean, there’s real passion behind your words, as if deep down you really mean it!”
“Well, what can I say. I am a method actor!”
“Haha!”
“Haha! <pause> So what next?”
“Just keep doing what you do. This one will give me a nice little boost. Nothing like the last time though – I don’t think we’ll ever beat the impact of that one – but still it would get me back some support, especially after the recent mauling.”
“Good to know.”
“All right. Enough for today. Let’s split before someone sees us. Carry on your good work.”
“Will do. And one more thing…”
“Yeah?”
“Aap aage badho. Hum aapke saath hain! [You move ahead, I am with you!]”
“Thanks! You are the best.”
And then, PM Narendra Modi and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar emerged from the unlit blind alley, pulled their hoods on, and headed in the opposite directions to their respective residences.