Open Road

Heavy traffic jam. Sweltering heat. All around, people stand with bored faces, resigned to their fate - some standing outside their cars surveying the scene ahead - some cursing their fates, some wondering when the jam will clear up. An agile man quickly jumps out of his car and starts running, People stare at him wide eyed as he moves in and out of the narrow confines between the cars. One can see the expression well writ all over their faces - "Has he gone nuts?" And the man continues running, oblivious to the people around him. He enters a building and brushes aside a security guard and climbs the stairs two at a time - passes through myriad rooms and conference halls filled with bewildered people staring at him - a sweep of a hand is all it takes for him to walk past those on his way. He reaches the terrace and slowly lifts the screen using a pulley - and lo and behold - gone is the traffic jam. Just a long tree lined empty OPEN road. People still stare open-mouthed, not believing the spect(re?)acle ahead while the man determinedly walks back to his car. He slowly nods to the people behind him and climbs in. The camera closes in as he drives away into the beautiful road.

And the striking thing is: He never loses his smile throughout...

(On TV this morning...)