Roadside revelations…

For the ones who have read a few posts of mine I think there is no need to explain why yesterday’s post wasn’t happening. For the ones who haven’t the answer / excuse is as trivial as always. No network.

That’s the way things are in Uttar Pradesh, which is the most populous state in India.

But not only that.

From all that happened throughout the last days one particular event got stuck in my mind.

The exploited clown.

Yes I guess we all know the stories of sad clowns but he was somehow different.

He was sitting on a chair next to the national highway and tried to attract customers to the roadside eatery that employed him for that job. Something quite common to do considering the fact that there is one eatery after the other and each one of those wants to make a living.

However I was somehow confused about the way he was dressed up, not to mention the thick layer of make up on his face.

What confused me most was the idea that he wouldn’t have been given this stupid costume if he wouldn’t have been vertically challenged, runtish, suffering from microsomia.

I felt sorry for him.

While I was eating I couldn’t take my eyes if him and felt the urge of saying hello. And since he was smoking a cigarette I guessed it would have been a suitable connector between me and him.

Thought and done.

I walked over.
I kneeled next to him.
I said hello.
I shook his hand.
I opened my pack of cigarette and offered him one.
He lit his I lit mine.

We started talking.

“Yes thanks for the cigarette and yes thanks I am doing fine.

Ah no no I live close by from here and sit here every day trying to get some customers to come and eat over there at the restaurant.

No I don’t really like that costume but the boss demands it. I mean what can I say.”

It didn’t took very long and the boss came over.

“You want him to dance for you?

Come one get up from the chair and dance!”

I felt terrible and immediately intervened.

“Ah no that’s fine thank you…but hey why don’t you dance for me? I would love to see you dancing…really!”

I was smiling.
He was a little embarrassed. Good.

The exploited clown was still sitting on his chair and gave me a wink.

We understood each other.