Verve

Last Tuesday Ian dropped out of high school. Meaning he just stopped
attending ninth grade from that day. He had never been a great student.
Still, he had never failed any examination and was good at gymnastics.
His teachers liked him because he was jovial. He had a lot of friends
too. A couple of girls had gone out with him. Ian's mother asked him
many times why he did not want to continue his education. His answers
were cryptic. The education system was rotten. The history teacher was
fat. I want to spend more time with my dog. These were a few things he
said. And nothing made sense. Ian's father worked as accountant in a
local bank. He was to retire in seven years and the family was eager
that Ian should find employment before that. Mr Sen had spoken to a few
people and one customer of the bank had promised to give Ian a job. But
for that Ian would need a college degree. And to go to college he had
to complete high school. Naturally, when Ian decided to drop out both
his parents nearly died of shock.
The thing was this. Ian himself did not know why he had dropped out.
The lessons in school had suddenly become predictable and
uninteresting. While the others asked questions and took tests
confidently Ian felt helpless. It seemed to him that no matter how hard
he tried he would remember nothing. And he would fail in every subject.
He tried to concentrate hard in class but his mind seemed focussed on
the big, bright world outside. He sat near a big window and while the
teacher did sums on the board he would look at birds chirping on the
big banyan tree outside. Very often the teacher found this out and he
was asked to stand up on his chair. As the days passed he became more
and more distracted. And then he decided he would stop attending
school. Why he did this was not very clear. He looked at it as an
opportunity to discover the world firsthand.
Ian was alone in his bedroom and standing. He had been watching a lot
of television lately. It was one month since he dropped out. Nearly all
his living relatives had visited the family in the last month. He had
been told by nearly each one that he was likely to end up as a
murderer. He was going to be a thief and a very evil man. And all
because he had dropped out of school. As he began to feel disturbed by
these things a familiar song started on television. And before he knew
it his hands began to move. Then his feet responded to the song. Very
soon his whole body was moving to the music. Ian had always known that
he could dance but never tried. The song continued for three and a half
minutes. Ian was able to perform a dance routine different from what
was on tv in that time. He played all the CDs they had and
choreographed different dances for each of the songs. He began to
realize that he had a power within him about which he had not
known.
Ian formed a dance troupe. It was not easy. He was a dropout and no
school students were willing to work under him. But Ian knew some boys
and girls from the local shantytown who were only interested in
dancing. They were neither good-looking nor literate but they formed a
great team. These people called themselves 'Midas'. They did not know
why they practised their routines ten hours a day. They were
passionate, they were engrossed. They were sure that a great
opportunity would come. And it did.
Neptune Cruises owns thirty ships. The interior of each ship looks like
a complete seven star hotel. In ten days time a Neptune Cruises ship
will sail from Calcutta to go to Singapore. The whole voyage is
scheduled to be completed in twelve days. On the two Sundays that fall
within the 12 day period dance concerts are to be staged on ship.
Auditions are being held today to select the dance troupe that will
perform on the two Sundays. Applicants have submitted detailed concepts
for the acts they will present. Basic pencil sketches about routines
have also been provided by them. 'Midas' has worked very hard for the
auditions. Ian has consulted many websites and brainstormed with the
whole troupe for days to prepare the concept. Ian's group has passed
through initial scrutiny and is in the final five. Only one troupe will
be selected in the end.
The aspirants have been called to Roundabout stadium. They do not know
what they will be asked to do. As the five groups step on the grass
they are led to five waiting motorcycles. As they stare in disbelief
the troupes are informed that one member from each group will
participate in a motorcycle race. The winner would be deemed chosen
along with the rest of troupe. Ian had always been good at riding
bikes. He mounts a tough-looking bike. When everyone is ready the race
begins. After riding three laps of the stadium Ian crosses the finish
line before anyone else. His troupe is jubilant. That evening Ian signs
the contract. The ragtag 'Midas' dance troupe of Ian Sen would dance
during the Sunday Variety Gala on the next voyage of Neptune
Cruises.