TAKING THE BIG LEAP
By Neel Anil Panicker
The idea was difficult to swallow.
In fact to John it was nothing short of insanity.
“Have you gone out of your mind, Raghu”?, he asked.
“No, we’ve done it before and we will do it now”, replied Raghu, his voice an even keel.
Amit and Madhav, the other two members of the quartet that called themselves simply as ‘Gang of Four, looked on, the incredulous expression on their faces speaking louder than any words would do.
“Agreed, we’ve done it before”, John countered. before adding, “but let’s not forget those were all petty robberies—household theft, chain snatching et al. This one is…”
“This one’s is bank robbery, right? Is that what makes you guys jittery, is it?”, shot back Raghu.
As his band of petty criminal mates looked on, he continued, “my friends, I know it is a big thing. It’s something we have never done before. But then that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. If we have to graduate to the big league, then we must make a move, and what better start to that than a big bang bank robbery. Remember, right now it may seem preposterous, but trust me, a month hence, once we lay our hands on half a crore rupees, and start living the big life’s you guys would be thanking me from the bottom of my heart. So, guys, what do you say—is it a yes or a no?”
The three___John, Amit and Madhav__looked at one another, and then, slowly turning towards Raghu nodded their heads.