ACT I

Scene 1: Train compartment, afternoon time

Mridul and Ayush, two friends in their early thirties, board an overcrowded train, the Chitra Express, in the afternoon. They go searching for seats in the different compartments.

Mridul: Should we get into another compartment? Everywhere year seems full.

Ayush: Yes, we should. The people don't seem to be of class.

Mridul: And what is that supposed to mean?

[But before he could get any reply, he gets shoved off by a vender. So he decides to find themselves a seat and settle down first.]

Ayush: All other trains have been from 12:00 a.m. because of the curfew. This is the only train available with a few others.

Mridul: The crowd explains that...oh! Look to empty seats. Come on, Ayush.

Ayush: Not there.

Mridul: Why?

Ayush: Can't you see? There are two women wearing 'Burkhas'. And the men have beards but no moustaches.

Mridul: So what? Do you want a fashion model as your co-passenger? By the way, how do you know that the man has no moustaches? He is wearing a mask.

[ Mridul half-laughs and is half-curious.]

Ayush: Don't act stupid. I know you do understand they are Muslims.
[But a loud cry of 'Daily news: Read about the rising death toll do to the coronavirus in Delhi masks Ayush's voice such that mridul can gather nothing from his...