Anuja

Once upon a time,

there was a farmer who lived with his wife, daughter,

and a pet mongoose.

One day, the parents were called away to the city.

So they left their baby in the care of the pet mongoose.

While the parents were away,

a snake slithered through the window of their hut.

But the mongoose protected the baby

and shred the snake to pieces

with his razor-sharp teeth.

When the parents returned,

the mongoose ran out to greet them.

When they saw blood dripping from his mouth,

they assumed the mongoose had devoured their baby.

The father began to beat the mongoose with his cane.

The mother ran inside,

only to find the snake's shredded corpse lying on the floor,

and their baby completely unscathed.

But by the time she realized what really happened,

the farmer had beaten the brave little mongoose to death.

And?

And what?

That's it.

You must have forgotten the ending.

Look, I've forgotten lots of Mom's stories,

but I remember this one.

Can you still remember her voice?

I wish I could.

Bring the girl.

Okay, sir.

Sit down!

What are you doing here? Why haven't you been in school?

- I, um… -

She's earning an honest living. That's what she's doing.

And she has me to thank for it.

"Honest"?

You are aware that this is illegal?

- Tell him your age. - Fourteen.

Listen, uh, whatever your name is, Mr. Mishra.

We have proper documents for all our employees.

No one works here illegally.

My child, the admission test is at 8:00 am on Tuesday morning.

You have a special gift.

But I still had to pull strings to get your name on the exam list.

We don't usually take girls like, uh…

Like what?

You mean girls like… like what?

What're you trying to say? Go on.

Out with it!

This is an extraordinary opportunity for her.

And who will pay for this opportunity?

The exam fee is just 400 rupees.

It's hardly a… a fortune, mister.

Maybe not for you, Mr. Mishra.

Four hundred rupees!

But it is for her.

A chance at a scholarship to Williams Boarding School is a big deal.

Enough! Enough!

You are…

Educated, a real smart guy.

I am not.

I'm just some jackass. Hmm?

But this girl knows exactly what she wants

and exactly what she's doing.

Everyone here works voluntarily.

By choice. Do you get it?

And I would be grateful if you would now voluntarily get the hell out of my office.

I'm a busy man. Out!

- I'm aware of your scheme. - Yeah, yeah.

Tuesday morning, 8:00 a.m.

- Don't forget, hmm? - Yeah.

Out, out.

- Scram! -

Scram!

Yes, Mr. Adams.

Don't worry. The girls are working around the clock.

Yeah, yeah.

Your order will be ready on time.

Go ahead.

Come on, move.

Okay.

- Hmm. Which one? - This here.

"Gainfully employed man"

- seeks… - "…seeks an equally suitable bride."

- And… keep going. -

"The eligible girl should have fair skin."

- Does my skin look fair? - Not fair enough.

- Really? - No!

- What is this? - "The girl should not…".

"The girl should not be too ambitious in terms of work."

Should not be ambitious?

If the girl isn't ambitious, then who will be?

Do the boys ever get any work done?

- No. - No.

- Okay, bye-bye, Mr. Handsome! - Handsome.

Listen, my pumpkin, about that exam on Tuesday,

you know that you'll get top marks.

A perfect score. I'm sure.

Four hundred rupees?

Even if we had that kind of money, it still wouldn't be worth it.

"Not worth it"?

Everything has its price, you know.

We talk about marriage and weddings,

but that also costs a ton of money.

Then how do you ever expect to get married?

You don't worry about it.

I've thought of everything.

And, if you're willing to help me out tomorrow,

I will let you in on my plan.

What plan?

- -

- -

Where did you get these?

Come on, that's not important.

You stole them from the factory, didn't you?

Listen, I have 14 of these bags.

If we sold them for, let's say, 40 rupees a piece, we could earn...

Five sixty rupees.

Can I keep one for myself?

Okay, fine.

Which one?

- This one. -

Bags worth 400 rupees for just 40!

Buy colourful, quality bags!

Buy brand-new bags.

- Buy colourful bags. - Quality bags!

- -

Would you like to buy a bag?

Bags worth 400 for just 40!

Want a bag?

No one's buying.

Maybe they don't need any bags.

Aren't they any good?

I like them. I really like them.

Let's try shouting louder.

Brand-new bags for just 40 rupees!

Bags worth 400 rupees for just 40!

Anuja!

- -

Bags for just 40 rupees. Brand-new bags for just 40 rupees.

Brand-new bags for just 400.

Brand-new bags for just 400.

Uncle, brand-new bags for just 400 rupees.

Brand-new bags for just 400 rupees.

How about a brand-new bag for just 400, ma'am?

Ah! Lovely bags.

- How much are they for? - Four hundred a piece.

Can I take a look at these two bags?

Ah, I like these colours.

I'll take these two.

- Uh, let me pay you. Two for 800, right? - Wait, wait, wait.

What is going on here?

-Just a second. Wait for a moment, please. -You! How did you get in here?

- What're you doing? She's a small girl. - Madam, leave.

- Don't do this. Leave. - You can't behave like this.

Just go. Hey!

- Leave her alone. - Security! Where the hell are you?

Go, go, catch the girl! Just sitting around all day doing nothing!

- -

- Where did she disappear? -

- -