Susanna's Seven Husbands

by Ruskin Bond

  The officer steps out, taking care to keep his polished boots clean and dry. This is Captain Edwin Rodriques, 35–37, a conspicuously dashing marksman and athlete.

  The boys stop and stare; other stable hands appear in the doorway, smiling uncertainly.

  The Captain is not pleased. He points at Goonga.

  RODRIQUES. You …

  He shows him his watch.

  RODRIQUES. time

  Goonga responds with some garbled barks. Rodriques turns to Ghalib.

  RODRIQUES. what the devil is he saying?

  Ghalib points at the kids and gestures to Goonga to lock them inside after the work is done.

  ARUN (voice-over). butler villain …

  GHALIB. Sir

  RODRIQUES. Hmmm …

  Goonga steps off the bucket and walks towards Ghalib, muttering something in a cheeky tone. Ghalib hides his expression and turns to the Captain.

  GHALIB. Sir …?

  The Captain looks at Goonga, who looks back at him with contempt in his eyes.

  RODRIQUES.

  Ghalib tries to smile.

  GHALIB. Thank you.

  Rodriques studies Goonga for a few moments and looks at Ghalib whose smile broadens. He nods and turns back to walk towards his jeep. Ghalib turns to Goonga and speaks in a hushed tone.

  GHALIB.

  Goonga hits his fist into his palm, making a lewd gesture. Ghalib turns back and runs behind the jeep.

  Visible on a hill behind the house is a stone chapel, its steeple jutting skyward.

  Pre-lap: the tolling of the church bell.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Chapel. Day.

  A hundred mourners stand on the flagstone walkway outside the chapel as the bell clangs. Goonga and Ghalib are lined up off to the side with the other servants, all of them neatly dressed.

  Pallbearers carry a casket to a hearse waiting outside. The local priest follows, then an altar boy carrying a framed portrait of the deceased. Then, the Captain appears, looking appropriately solemn.

  Leaning on the Captain’s arm is a slender woman clad in black silk. Her face is hidden behind a mourning veil.

  The camera moves to a nearby tree. Arun is concealed in the foliage, gawking at the mysterious woman. Goonga is glaring at him. But Arun doesn’t care: he’s in heaven.

  Ext. Riding ring. Day.

  Susanna’s in the saddle, riding a gleaming thoroughbred around the ring. Her hair is pinned up under a riding cap; she’s wearing a snug-fitting hacking jacket and jodhpurs.

  The Captain stands in the centre of the ring, guiding the horse by means of a lunge line.

  The stable boys are mucking out the stalls. Lingering in the doorway, Arun can’t keep his eyes off Susanna, who has cast off the rope. Susanna playfully snatches the Captain’s cap. Laughing, he tries to retrieve it, but she deftly guides her horse out of reach.

  When he bellows in protest, she spurs the horse.

  ARUN (voice-over).

  Int. Arun’s quarters. Same.

  Arun stands in front of a framed picture of a god, raising a couple of burning incense sticks and worshiping the deity. Looking back to see that nobody is around, he reaches out to the picture frame and pulls out a photo of Susanna and worships her picture with the incense, and places it back behind.

  Ext. Naag Temple. Day.

  Arun stands in an overgrown part of the estate, on the rocky edge of a dark pool of water thirty feet below. There, among the floating lotus leaves, a dozen snakes are gliding in lazy circles.

  ARUN (voice-over). Maggie aunty,

  Susanna appears, followed by Maggie, 48, a grumpy but devoted house servant who carries a tray with a pitcher of milk.

  Susanna goes down a rough-hewn flight of steps, and by means of a pulley and plank, little Arun carefully lowers the pitcher to her.

  ARUN (voice-over).

  Susanna, who is now walking slowly amid a colony of hissing, swaying snakes! They make way for her as she puts some milk into saucers all over the grotto floor.

  Int. Solarium. Day.

  Now young Arun’s in spotless, starched white cotton livery. His face has been scrubbed and his hair slicked down. He follows Goonga, who is equally immaculate, into a solarium, each of them carrying a silver platter piled high with petits-fours.

  In the sun-filled room, Susanna is holding court with the Captain and half a dozen wealthy horse owners. Various fawning servants see to the serving of the finest Coorg coffee.

  RODRIQUES. It’s a derby, darling. The jockey is as important as our stallion.

  SUSANNA. I see no reason to change anything, Rod. daddy favourite jockey

  The Captain looks at Goonga with contempt.

  RODRIQUES. Hmm …! What do you think, Martha …?

  The lady pushes a wad of cake into her mouth as he speaks.

  MARTHA. I am sure someone here can come up with a better idea.

  A portly horse owner, Mr Rangan, smiles at Susanna.

  RANGAN. professional rider hire ? We can afford it and I know one in Prague.

  Susanna, who is lost in her thoughts, notices Arun stealthily making his way past everyone present towards the coffee tray and putting sugar cubes into his pockets.

  SUSANNA. You … boy … ?

  Arun sharply turns to face her and speaks almost immediately.

  ARUN.

  There is a giggle among the people. Susanna also smiles.

  SUSANNA. Come here …

  Arun walks up to her. Goonga is shocked. He tries to move ahead but Ghalib stops him.

  SUSANNA.

  Arun brings out his fists full of sugar cubes. The Captain looks around.

  RODRIQUES. ?

  Arun turns to the Captain.

  ARUN. Candy

  SUSANNA. Who’s Candy?

  Arun turns from the Captain to Susanna.

  ARUN.

  SUSANNA. Oh! That’s a nice name for him. Candy …

  This gives Arun a little courage to speak his mind.

  ARUN. He run fast when he eat it.

  Susanna softly laughs.

  SUSANNA. ?

  ARUN. Seven and half.

  Another giggle.

  SUSANNA.

  Arun straightens up.

  ARUN. Yes, Candy loves you. You tik-tok him in race and win debry.

  There is an awkward silence amongst the guests for a brief moment, and then they break into laughter. The Captain is not amused.

  RODRIQUES. What the fuck …

  Goonga, muttering gibberish, pulls Arun by his collar and drags him out of the room as Susanna laughs.

  Cut to:

  Int. Stables. Day.

  Goonga is jabbering an angry tirade as he chases Arun through the stables, whipping his long leather hunter. It’s a long chase and finally Arun collides with someone and falls to the ground.

  It’s Susanna, accompanied by Ghalib. Goonga stops and bows down as Arun hides behind her.

  Goonga, in his usual guttural fashion, tries to apologize as Ghalib translates it simultaneously.

  Goonga nods, giving his reassurance to what Ghalib speaks.

  SUSANNA. Right …

  She looks at Arun and smiles.

  SUSANNA. Okay … Sugar …?

  Arun smiles back.

  ARUN. Thank you …

  Susanna leaves Goonga shocked. Arun walks to him, takes the hunter from his hand, and whips it in the air, making a cracking sound.

  Cut to:

  Int. School. Day.

  Arun, neatly dressed and carrying a schoolbag, stands in the doorway of a classroom. The well-bred and well-fed students swivel in their desks to scrutinize him.

  Ghalib whispers in Arun’s ear, nudging him forward.

  GHALIB.

  Arun speaks out uncomfortably.

  ARUN. Arun Kumar.

  There is a giggle among the students. The teacher, a kind-looking older man, walks up to him.

  TEACHER. Come in, Arun, and sit down.

  Arun enters and sits on the fl
oor. The other students laugh.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Race track. Day.

  A dozen thoroughbreds thunder around the far turn at the Mysore race track; in the stands, a cheering crowd urges them on.

  As one particular stallion flashes over the finish line, Goonga and Arun pound the rail in excitement. Victory! The dwarf and the boy jump up and down, sharing an embrace.

  Ext. Winner’s circle. Day.

  The Captain seizes the reins of the winning mount and helps the jockey to the ground. It’s Susanna.

  She removes her helmet and waves to the celebrating crowd as some officials place a floral wreath over the horse’s neck.

  Then she plucks one of the flowers and tosses it to Arun, who catches it and grins with pride.

  Int. Solarium. Night.

  Still celebrating, Susanna puts a 33 1/3 record on the turntable and takes the Captain in her arms. Counting out the rhythm, she tries to teach him how to waltz.

  After a few faltering steps, he gathers her up in his arms and spins her, shrieking with laughter, around the room.

  Int. Hut. Night.

  In Goonga’s hut behind the stable, Arun is hunched over a table which is piled high with school books. By the light of a lantern, he is writing slowly and steadily.

  The door bangs open and the dwarf enters, throwing down an armload of tack. He clumps over to the desk and peers, uncomprehending, over Arun’s shoulder. The boy never looks up.

  Insert: School notebook.

  Arun is filling line after line of his copy book with neat, cursive handwriting: ‘SUSANNA, SUSANNA, SUSANNA, SUSANNA …’

  ARUN (voice-over).

  Ext. Driveway. Day.

  Arun is running full tilt down the driveway toward the stables. He screeches to a halt at the sight of a horse and buggy coming from the house.

  Goonga has the reins; seated behind him are Susanna and the Captain. Susanna signals for a stop.

  SUSANNA. Hey Sugar, look at you in such a big hurry. school

  ARUN. doctor school

  SUSANNA.

  ARUN.

  Arun’s voice trails off as Susanna laughs out loud.

  SUSANNA. Rod! Do you recognize this boy …?

  The Captain tries to remember him.

  Arun moves forward offering his hand, while mustering his best adult manners.

  ARUN. I am Arun Kumar, sir. St Mary’s Boys’ School, Class 8-B, Roll no. 36 … sir.

  The Captain is amused by his formal introduction. He shakes Arun’s hand.

  RODRIQUES. Pleased to meet you, Mr Kumar. This is Captain Rodriques, 1, Para’s. (Turns towards Susanna.) And this will soon be Mrs Rodriques.

  The Captain cuddles the giggling Susanna. Goonga’s head snaps around; he is astonished and appalled. Arun, too, is dumbfounded. Goonga harshly whips the horse and the buggy lurches forward. Arun stands alone in the road, watching the waving Susanna as she recedes from view.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Campfire. Night.

  The three servants—Maggie, Ghalib and Goonga, are clustered around the campfire, drinking beer and snacking. The mood is glum.

  Goonga growls an elaborate, gobbledygook complaint.

  MAGGIE. No, no, no … He is not just a Bastard … Deadly combination … A bastard

  Goonga growls again and spits more gibberish. Maggie looks at Ghalib, who gulps his drink and smiles.

  GHALIB. Miss

  He hands over a drink to Goonga.

  GHALIB. Maggie

  Goonga blushes as Maggie laughs and punches Ghalib.

  GHALIB. skirt

  Maggie gives Goonga a peck on his cheek.

  MAGGIE.

  Arun, who had come with a plate of peanuts, takes advantage of the conversation and puts a beer can stealthily into his pocket.

  Goonga holds his fist in his palm, making a lewd gesture towards Ghalib.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Campfire. Later.

  Arun stares teary eyed into the glare of the flames. Gulping down the last of the beer, he hauls out a sheet of paper—his elaborate ‘SUSANNA’ note—and rips it up. Tearing it into shreds he cries as he throws the pieces of paper into the fire.

  ARUN. I hate you !

  Fade out.

  Int. Corridor. Day.

  The present day. Arun walks down various corridors of the forensic laboratory. Close behind him, a technician rolls a cart on which sits the steel box full of bones and ashes.

  Int. Office. Day.

  The Department Head leafs through a stack of lab reports as Arun stands before him,

  On the desk, the steel box.

  The Department Head turns towards the cop from the previous scene.

  DEPARTMENT HEAD. The samples match. She is dead, then?

  The cop looks towards Arun.

  COP. Sure, Doc …?

  ARUN. Sir

  Cut to:

  Int. Arun’s Apartment. Night.

  Arun is seated at the dining room table, spooning dal and rice into the mouth of a tiny old man whose white hair frames a dark and weathered face.

  It’s Goonga, bent-over and blind now. He wears an eye patch; his other eye is clouded with a milky cataract.

  Nandini studies the photo album as little Aditya sprawls on a rug in the background, doing his homework.

  NANDINI. Arun … Rodriques handsome. A dashing fellow.

  Arun smiles.

  ARUN. Yeah … insecure, possessive, boring and

  Nandini smiles back.

  NANDINI. And a fart king too? Paddu raam …

  They laugh.

  Cut to:

  Int. Officers’ Club. Night.

  It’s 1984.

  A glamorous reception for Army officers and their wives is underway in the ballroom of the Officers’ Club.

  The senior officer of the district, Brigadier Venkatesan, addresses the crowd.

  He displays his glass of Scotch whisky, full to the brim. All over the ballroom, the happy assemblage follows suit. The Brigadier turns to face Rodriques, who stands modestly to one side, arm in arm with a radiant Susanna.

  BRIGADIER. Here’s to our very own Major Edwin Rodriques. The winner of the ‘Kirti Chakra’. May I speak on the behalf of our brigade, Major, We salute the bravery and courage you displayed during Operation Blue Star. It took a heavy toll on your regiment and, in particular, your company.

  RODRIQUES. And my leg!

  The Brigadier laughs as the Major waves a walking stick up in the air.

  Cut to:

  Int. Ballroom. Later.

  Couples whirl around the dance floor. The Brigadier chats with the Major in a corner, as a waiter comes up with their drinks on a tray.

  The Brigadier nods while taking the glasses, handing one to the Major and taking one for himself.

  BRIGADIER. Even the Defence Minister wants to meet you when he comes next month.

  He takes the glass of red wine from the tray and offers it to Susanna, who holds the Major’s arm and looks completely bored and uninterested.

  BRIGADIER. Here, for your beautiful half.

  RODRIQUES. She’s quit … drinking.

  BRIGADIER.

  Susanna takes the wine glass from him.

  SUSANNA.

  The Brigadier joins her in laughter as the Major tries to hide his disdain. A young Lieutenant who looks a little tipsy arrives.

  LIEUTENANT. Can I have the pleasure of a dance with the lady …?

  Susanna looks at the Major who shrugs his shoulders.

  RODRIQUES. I had two left feet—lost one …

  More laughter.

  Cut to:

  Int. Ballroom. Later.

  Susanna is the belle of the ball, dancing with the young lieutenant. Both the dancers are drenched in sweat—it looks as if they have been dancing for a long time, refusing to stop nonetheless. People clap and cheer as the glowering Major watches from the sidelines, gulping down another glass of Scotch.

  Int. Men’s room. Later.

  The Major splas
hes cold water on his face. Looking up, he sees the handsome Lieutenant and some of his boisterous friends entering.

  RODRIQUES. You are quite the dancer, Lieutenant.

  The Lieutenant straightens up.

  LIUTENANT. Sir … but no match to your beautiful half, sir …

  A giggle from his friends. The Major also smiles. The toilet attendant scurries over to offer the Major a towel. The Major ignores him as dripping water falls from his face. He limps over to the other man. Sudden silence.

  RODRIQUES. Beautiful half? Hmm … and the better one too.

  The Lieutenant keeps mum, sensing trouble. The Major walks up to him and whispers.

  RODRIQUES She has a beautiful name as well … Susanna …

  The Lieutenant is quiet.

  RODRIQUES. What …?

  LIUTENANT. Susanna.

  WHAM! He smashes his walking stick into his knee. As the young man crumples, the Major lifts him up and hurls him, face first, into the mirror. CRASH! He turns and picks up his stick, takes a few steps, then stops.

  RODRIQUES. You may call her Mrs Rodriques, if you please.

  He exits, his boots crunching on the shards of glass.

  Int. Bedroom. Later.

  Susanna sits on the side of the bed, looking down and crying like a child. The Major walks restlessly in front of her, holding his stick in one hand and a whisky glass in other.

  RODRIQUES. You know you can’t handle the fucking alcohol

  He holds her by the chin.

  RODRIQUES. You are a married woman … Are you ashamed to be my wife …?

  She shakes her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  SUSANNA. No …

  She keeps crying and speaks in a choked voice.

  SUSANNA. I am sorry …

  He looks at her for a while and then sits down opposite her. He puts his wooden leg on her lap. She starts to unbuckle it.

  SUSANNA. Tests normal

  RODRIQUES. Then why can’t you conceive …?

  She puts the wooden boot on the floor

  SUSANNA. She says

  The statement hits the Major like a rock. He is stunned. He raises his amputated leg and starts to caress her with it.

  RODRIQUES (staring into her eyes). Hmm …?

  Suddenly the door opens and Goonga enters, holding a tray with a glass of milk. The Major turns sharply as Goonga watches Susanna crying profusely. He gets up and walks towards Goonga, limping. He bends down on his knees to talk to him.

  RODRIQUES. knock

  He taps hard on his chest with his two fingers.