Setting: In the train (from Chennai to Kolkata), two-tier AC.

Characters: Srikanth- Lecturer- Thermodynamics, Yale University.
                   Ranjani - Post Graduate in History (once his student) and 
                   Others in the Train.

  Scene 1

Srikanth: (Reading Pride and Prejudice)
TTR :      Aapka ticket sir, (gives the ticket, takes it back, resumes reading)
Neighbour: Excuse me, could you just help kee this suitcase unnderneath
Srikanth :  Oh yes! (helps him push the suitcase)
Neighbour: Thank You. Are you going to Kolkata ?
Srkanth:     No. Cuttak.
(Neighbour goes away giving an od). He watches the couple nearby, bidding their parents farewell. They heave sigh)
Srikanth: (similing) resumes reading,

(everyone settles down.)

Scene Two.

Another Neighbour : Sir, is anyone coming here? I though I sit here sometime
Srikanth :     I don't know (irritated)

(The train stops at the next station. ranjani boards the train). She is finding her way to seat number 21.

Ranjani: Excuse me, (surprised to see Srikanth) 
Srikanth: Ranjani............
Ranjani: (settles down)..........Gazing out of the window
Srikanth: (reading the book) How are You?
Ranjani : In my prime!
Srikanth: "In my Prime". I hardly ever hear sentences of these kind now - a -days
Ranjani:  (Gazing Out still): I hardly get a chance to speak like this to someone outside the sphere of literature
Srikanth : (putting his book, aside) - It's a surprise to see you here. Where r u heading to?
Ranjani: Kolkata - the city I have always loved. You know it better professor.
Srikanth: Are you living there ? 
Ranjani:  No - a kind of short trip, - since I am into research. 
Srikanth.: Ah!!! What is the subject
Ranjani: Gita- Govind - a study of literature as historical work
Srikanth: As usual as ever. You never out of  literary craziness, even though you are.... I am sorry.... good in Science as well. Why did you not choose medicine or physics? You were always top in your 12th .... I mean in your school, when I was visiting lecturer.
Ranjani: Don't you know it? .... You know, I never liked science and you also know that I would always opt for the arts. This question sounds absurd.

(Coffee, Chai ...... Both of them get tea).

Scene three and four in the next post