Page 240 - Musings 2021

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TV Remote
Tejas Suresh
2019A3PS1119P

CHARACTERS

Ram: Ram is the more athletic of the two brothers and plays cricket for his school. He has an
unhealthy obsession with Suresh Raina and is a passionate fan of the IPL team Chennai Super
Kings (CSK). The only thing he detests more than missing their games is a critique of his
batting style.

Shyam: Shyam is the more academically inclined of the two. He loves over analyzing shows
and is a huge Young Sheldon fan. People differentiate the brothers by a mole on Shyam’s left
cheek—something he is very conscious about. He prefers to use his wits to get himself out of
situations, a stark contrast to his more simple-minded brother.

SETTING

The living room of a 3BHK house. It is plainly furnished and consists of two sofas oriented at
a 90-degree angle, a TV placed laterally opposite to the horizontal sofa, and a family portrait
placed directly above the TV. Shyam is sitting on the far end of the horizontal sofa and
watching an episode of Young Sheldon. Ram enters striding confidently, and stands in front
of Shyam, blocking his view.

BEGIN.

Ram: Hey Shyam, the IPL match is on, and CSK is playing. You know what that means.

Shyam: No. I need to watch Young Sheldon.

Ram: But… It’s the IPL season.

(Ram begins to swing an imaginary bat)

Shyam: What are you trying to do?

Ram: That’s a bat. I’m swinging it.

Shyam: You look like a flailing bird. Now, move aside and let me watch.

Ram: No. It’s the IPL season, man, it only comes around once a year.

Shyam: Uh, so? Young Sheldon is twenty minutes long, that’s around six overs, nothing
major can possibly happen in that time.

(Ram’s nostrils flare up. His face turns red, and his eyes narrow down to slits. He clenches
his hand and pumps his chest)

Shyam: I feel you’re winding up to say something…

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