The Fifth Column

9th August 1998

Plot for new script

This is a suggested script for a future espisode of 'Always Breakdown'. We don't actually forsee this being telecast, despite the excess of media freedom enjoyed by everyone.

Theme Song: "Always Breakdown apey gama thamai...."

Amden: "See what has happened! Now everything is in a mess! Kethai Honday!"

Annibel: "Hai Meyaa, why, what is the problem? Are you worried because I postponed the provincial elections?"

Amden: "What nonsense Meyaa; How can I thank you for that? If you had the elections we would have lost all our deposits...."

Annibel: "Then why are you worried? Is it because I finished SAARC sucessfully?"

Amden: "Why should I worry about that? Even your own Ministers were scolding you because you had given Kiri Berty a front row seat..."

Annibel: " Then, then what are you worried about Meyaa?"

Amden: "Why, this problem with Lotus?"

Annibel: "Ah, you really thought you could win that no- confidence motion?"

Amden: "No, no; it's not about that. That doesn't bother me at all. We know we used it to sling some mud at Lotus, don't we?"

Annibel: "That's what you always do, isn't it Amden?"

Amden: "Yes, yes; but what is really bothering me is this Lotus interfering in media freedom."

Annibel: "But that is what we are here for: Jim Pappa interferes with the judiciary, Bing Commando interferes with the military; then the other fellow interferes with the cricketers and the athletes and I interfere with everything.."

Amden: "Yes, I know Annie. Of course, he can interfere with the media. He can summon the scribes of the house by the Lake and give them instructions. He can show himself on TV everyday. We did that too those days, I remember Bodhi sending the first page of the Daily News to Ward Place for approval. But what Lotus is doing now is Kethai, Honday!"

Annibel: "Aney Meyaa, I don't understand."

Amden: "Why Annibel. He is offering police protection to media people and trying to campaign for media freedom".

Annibel: "So Meyaa, that is all your fault. No?"

Amden: "How can you say it is my fault, Annie?"

Annibel: "Why, you are irritating Lotus with this Credit Card business. So he is serious and he wants to get even..."

Amden: "But what is Lotus doing Annie. There is a small difference of opinion and Lotus makes a big deal out of it offering Police protection. No wonder Bing Commando says he doesn't have enough policemen to have elections."

Annibel: "Now, Amden, don't you dare say that to us. Here I am trying to speak to Kiri Berty and it is you who make a big issue out of it. Tell me, is that fair?" Amden: "Alright, Annie, that might be unfair. In fact I'll give you anything if you can take Kiri Berty back. But tell me is Lotus really going to give police protection?"

Annibel: "What nonsense, Meyaa?"

Amden: "Why do you say that Annie?"

Annbel: Why, Meyaa, if he does that, how can we send people to journalists' houses to thereaten them at gunpoint? How can we get them to write what they want and then get cases for criminal defamation filed? How can we send people to shoot at their houses? Madness, I won't allow Lotus to do that!..."

Amden: "Thank you Annie, Thank you..."

Annibel and Amden (together): Always Break Down apey gama thamai; Media eka hemadaamath Break Down thamai; Always Break Down apey gama thamai, Media eka hemadamath Break Down thamai.."

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/Opinion Contents