5th Column : Ryp VanWinkle

A new consult to add insult?
"Thaaththa", Bindu Udagedera asked, "what will happen to the peace talks now?"
"Probably the same thing that happened to our cricket team..." Bindu's father, Percy said.
"What is that?" Bindu wanted to know.
"There is an initial euphoria that everything will end well; then there are a series of disappointments finally ending in disaster..." Percy explained.
"So, you think the peace talks will end in disaster as well?"
"They could," Percy said, "if events in the east are anything to go by..."
"But the cricketers always bounce back..."
"So, maybe the peace talks will bounce back as well in Bangkok..." Percy suggested.
"And hopefully we will live peacefully ever after..." Bindu said.
"So the government wants us to believe..."
"Then there is nothing to worry as such..." Bindu said, relieved.
"I think there is, Bindu..." Percy said.
"And what is that?"
"Earlier we were told that all our hardships are due to the war; now, there is hardly any war but the hardships are even worse. And on top of all that even our cricket team is losing matches which means the people will very soon have nothing to cheer about..."
"But why is all this happening, thaaththa?" Bindu queried.
"I think," Percy said, "it is because the wrong people are doing the wrong jobs..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"In the peace talks for instance, it is Mr.P who is dictating terms. And, just imagine what would happen if the talks succeed. Mr.P, who is now virtually an uncrowned king will have to answer to a democratic process and quite possibly face murder charges..."
"What's wrong with the cricket then?"
"Well, there is the dark horse trying to galloping his way into the Board sending all sorts of signals to the players and selectors some of whom have quit in the process..."
"Then," said Bindu "I think at least one person is taking a step in the right direction?"
"Who is that?" Percy wanted to know.
"Why, thaaththa, Satellite is asking her brother to be a consultant or advisor..."
"Yes, that will be fun..." Percy agreed.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, he can advise Satellite how to be in the opposition. He can also advise Satellite on how to build a mansion and then leave without having the good fortune to live in it. He can even advise her on choosing the best Leader of the Opposition..."
"So, why is Satellite hiring her brother, then?"
"To get the blues back in power, perhaps..."
"So you think this is not a wise decision?" Bindu asked.
"Why not?" Percy asked, "But the brother has to avoid the hallmarks of being a brilliant consultant..."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, Bindu, a consultant is a person who you hire at enormous cost to do something that you can do on your own and then leaves you with the job undone and without explaining why he could not do it..."
"Is that what will happen, then?" Bindu asked.
"We will have to wait and see..." Percy said.
Bindu did not disagree.

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