Sometimes (சில சமயங்களில்)

SOMETIMES

Hello. Yes, Mom...

What?

I can't hear you.

Wait a minute.

Yeah. Tell me.

Mom, I'm already late. I'll call you back.

It says 7:00 a.m.

And I've been in this very queue since 6:30,

like a damn gravestone stuck to the ground.

- -This country will never prosper.

Nobody has value for other people's time.

It's our bloody fate.

To get a measly blood test done, look at the things we need to do.

Wake up early in the morning.

Come here on an empty stomach.

We have to fill out the form,

wait in the queue for two hours, give our blood and money,

and come back again at 5:30 to collect the results.

Good Lord.

It takes me a whole day in this traffic to go to Perungudi and back...

Why? Don't you have any clinics out there in Perungudi?

Of course, there are.

But the doctor insists that the test should be done here.

Commission. Commission.

I came here to get a urine test done.

Been holding it in since morning.

They want the first urine of the day, it seems.

- What? Attendance Register? -Yes.

The chief doctor took it to the office at seven this morning.

This is neither a charity nor a public club to visit as you wish.

No, sir, sorry. There was traffic.

Oh. Even trains get stuck in traffic nowadays, is that right?

Listen. This lab has a reputation to keep, and it was not earned in a day.

Twenty years of my blood and sweat went into it.

Should I sign this?

Yes, sir.

Which department was this supposed to be sent to?

Accounts department, sir.

Why are you people so irresponsible?

I'm paying for you, you're not doing a favor for me.

-Sorry, sir. -Sorry.

P. R. Ramanathan?

Next.

Pay the money at the next counter to get your token. Next.

Next.

Yes, Mom.

What are you saying?

The rent is only due for two months.

Mom, the third month is still ongoing, isn't it?

Why is he including that?

She came in late.

But look how little she cares, happily chatting with her boyfriend.

The problem is these days mobiles have become like assholes.

Everybody has got one.

What?

It’s not possible, Mom. That's not possible either.

Tell him how it is.

Tell him that I'll clear the debt in two days.

I can't take an advance, Mom!

We already have pending loans.

Mom, we have Shankar's college fees to pay as well.

Why do you talk like you don't understand anything?

Okay, Mom, you just talk to him and call me back.

HIV?

Uh. Hmm.

-Where is the consent form? - Huh?

Where is the consent form?

What is that?

It's a government rule. Fill in the form over there and bring it back.

Next.

Initial here.

- - Token number 240...

- - Token number 241.

Token number 241.

Next.

Vijay Anand?

Creatine, Bilirubin?

Token number...

I'm hungry.

Test on an empty stomach.

Which test are you taking, sir?

-Cholesterol. -

Token number 259.

Okay, okay, okay...

- - Token number 260.

Come back at five.

- - Token number 261.

Excuse me.

Get back, man!

-No, no, I was actually standing here. -Here? I didn't see you.

-No, I-- -Hey! Get back in the line.

Do we look like fools?

-No, I was-- -We have been here since morning too.

It's become a hobby for people to just cut in. Get back in the queue, man.

- Hey! Come here! -

Next.

Next.

Which test?

I know it's HIV. ELISA or PCR?

- ELISA. -Which one?

ELISA.

Mark the right one.

Pen?

Madam.

- Next. -

Token number 263.

When this number is called, go in.

- - Token number 265.

- - Token number 267.

Come here, sir.

Sit down.

-What is your name? -Bala Murugan.

Bala Murugan. Your arm.

Hold it tight.

Sorry, the coffee was very hot.

It's all right.

Sir, what would you like to eat?

Coffee.

Anything else?

No.

Is it good?

The idli.

Actually, it is only safe to eat idlies in this city.

Lots of food poisoning issues.

If you go see inside the kitchens, you won't eat for two days.

The health inspector does visit...

but they don't check anything.

They take the bribe and leave safe without eating the food.

Are you from Thiruvanmiyur?

It's just I thought I'd seen you somewhere before.

Two idlies.

But earlier, you said that you don't need anything else?

Well, I feel like having it now.

Sir, phone.

You left it there.

Sorry.

Thank--

Sir...

Actor Vijay in the first slot, actor Ajith in the next,

Surya in the third one and Dhanush in the fourth.

Come on, come on, come on...

Get two-to-one on your bet.

No bluffing. Totally genuine.

Come on, come on, come on...

Test your luck. Take a look.

God has blessed you with ten rupees.

Police! Clear it fast. Scoot!

Mom, I have asked Lakshmi.

Her husband is travelling somewhere.

She has promised to help us somehow this week.

What can we do if he can't wait?

If his uncle is a damn cop, ask him to keep it to himself.

He can't threaten us with that.

Mom, why don't you understand?

How can I get hold of 5,000 rupees all of a sudden?

Okay, okay, I'll see how much I can get.

Okay. Bye.

What is it?

I'm in Bangalore.

Yeah. Tell me. There is a wedding at my in-laws'.

I am here right now.

Yeah. Tell me.

He is a very rich guy.

We should exploit him as much as we can.

If he resists, send some of our goons from the market and make a ruckus!

- -

To hell with them.

You're... Karuna... right, sir?

No, you're ACP Karuna?

Sir, I'm Contractor Raghavan.

Coimbatore Chettiyar. Land dispute.

Which Chettiyar?

Coimbatore Narayanan Chettiyar. Aren't you ACP Karuna?

Ramya didn't answer the phone, Mom.

Morning hours, right?

They might be busy at the bank.

She is the only hope.

I will try calling her during lunch.

Hmm.

Hmm.

Water? Where can I get some?

There is only hot water.

You think I'm not trying? Don't just say things for the hell of it!

When it comes to money, there is no friendship.

Okay.