Juggling The Job (part 3)

Espana arrived at the daily bread with a laptop and a CD. “This disc will help you do a follow up story on illegal mining scam in Goa.” She turned on her laptop and started browsing through some video files. “Today i will reveal the identities of people you have called.” Espana began to unleash the truth as a guy talking about mining scam appeared on her computer screen. “This is A.”

“Its the director of mines!”

Espana flashed a mischievous smile. “This is ‘N’. She clicked another video. It turned out to be a member of legislative assembly.

Holy hell! , all the other people i had called were MLA,s , government officials and activists. I assumed Espana did not tell me their identities calculating that i would lose my confidence if i knew i was talking to powerful people. But that left one question.

Why go through ‘our great news channel when she is already a good film maker?

“Look at how they reacted when i tried” eapana brought ‘A’ back on screen.

“sir, i am a documentary film maker. I want to make a film on illegal mining in the state. Can you please give me some data? “not until this Shah commission mess settles down. “ “can you talk on camera?” “ no comments.” “sir, i believe the directorate of mines is understaffed and cannot act against illegal mining, that true?

“Yes. We lack manpower.” “You lack manpower even as other government jobs are having a windfall gain of new recruits. Why?" “Working at the mines directorate needs technical knowledge.” “People say you are keeping the office understaffed on purpose so you can say you cant act. It’s a scam.” “Are you recording?” “No sir.” “Good. Because if you record or quote me on that, you are going to be in big trouble girl. Now please go and let me do my work.”

“And the same people rolled out red carpets for the media!”

“So you posed as a reporter of our great news channel.”

“No. i knew a few reporters there, they helped me. The government honchos remember my face and my voice so i can’t go there can i?”

“now that we’re done, take back your phone.” “Whoa! Not my phone man! Call ‘Owner’ in the contact list and return his phone na plase, i wont be there tomorrow.” “where are you going?” “I am off to Malaysia for a couple of months! Do you expect me to hang around here after making a documentary on such a hot topic?”

“when are you leaving?”

“Now! Within two hours!

“Espana,” i prostrated before her wanting to kiss her feet. “you are the goddess of lies.” “oh no, give this expression to the corporate and government honchos who allegedly pulled off a mining scam worth Rs. 10000 crore! And you know what, only 9 out of some 300 mines in Goa re legal put that in your news!

Good luck and Ciao!”

(story completely fictional.)