A Fine Balance

Ishvar and Om are preparing to leave for work when they notice 20 buses parked beside the shantytown. They’re ordered to get on board to attend a political rally for the prime minister. If they attend, they will get free tea and snacks, plus five rupees. Rajaram advises them all to go—the first time is great fun.

After several hours of political harangues about the benefits of the Emergency, a state of martial law, they are shoved back onto the buses without their promised tea and snacks. They also receive four rupees instead of five because there is a one-rupee transportation charge.

The next morning, the two tailors are happy to see their friend Maneck again. Maneck goes with them to a nearby hotel for their tea break, leaving behind a resentful Dina. Eventually, Ishvar remains at his machine during breaks to deflect some of Dina’s anger, while Om and Maneck take their tea at the hotel and swap stories. Maneck even treats Om to a movie.

Dina approves of Ishvar but doesn’t trust his nephew. The next time she needs to make a delivery, instead of locking the tailors inside the apartment, she appoints Maneck to supervise their behavior.