He stepped out of an Autorickshaw in front of the large Iron Gate which slid open as he approached it. A condescending look from the guard would have been enough for him to turn on his heal and run in the opposite direction but that was twenty years ago. It did not deter him now. Though it made him acutely aware of his appearance. Clad in a checkered shirt, a bottle green trousers he would have qualified to be fashionable in 1980's, his appearance was distinctly middle-class. He smiled to himself thinking what the guard must be going through letting such a lowly creature pass.
A few dragged steps brought him to the porch the shinning silver sign announcing he had arrived at the Ritz-Carlton. The few patrons lingering around at afternoon were judging him by the look. Sarcasm twisted his thin lips into a smile. The vanity was not new to him but its wide spread tentacles were something he could never understand. As he stepped towards the lobby through the metal detectors he noticed the guard looking at him with disgust. The gatekeeper did not even move to open the door. The old man leaned on the door pushing it with all his failing strength. No sooner did he step inside the lobby than a smartly clad young man approached him and said. " Excuse me sir, but i am going to have to ask you to get the right footwear to come inside the hotel" with a sharp look towards his leather chappals. The old man could make out the mugged up line coming from the young man. His accent betrayed his look and the man guessed he must be the security supervisor no more educated than secondary schooling and no more important in the social fabric than he. " I am here to meet my son, he is .... " Said the old man only to be cut off by the security man " I am sorry . Meine Kya kaha woh shayad aapko samazh nahi aaya. Chappal pehenke yaham aana mana he. Visitor gate us taraf he. Aur agar aap supplier he toh bahar jake phone karo office me tab andar aane milega ... " " Par ... me supplier nahi aur naahi ....." " Yaar, you dont understand or what ? This is not a place for people like you. Go get yourself a pair of shoes first. !!! Now GO GET OUT. "
At the same time, the doorman swung the door open to startle the old man. A man stepped inside the hotel with a Gym bag slung on his back. The security guard noticed his arrival and wished him a good evening. The old man noticed he was wearing a pair of shorts and slippers. Hardly an attire to get admission into the Ritz renowned for its traditional hospitality.
" Old man, I am telling you you cannot enter this hotel without a pair of shoes. " " But the man you just wished evening was wearing shorts and slippers .... "
"DO you know who he is ? .... Clearly not .... He is the owner of Tara Industries! Chota Mota admi nahi. Like you. Now please leave I have other things to take care of .... "
A big suit clad figure was descending the stairs. The man looked perfectly in place at such a hotel. He stepped closer to the guard trying to over hear the conversation yet managing to stay out of sight. As the man took in the scene unfolding in front of him.
He stepped in and said." Good evening sir. "
" Sir ? I mean good evening sir. I was just trying to explain the gentleman that we don't admit people inside the hotel without proper attire. Though I don't think this is a matter that a General Manager like you should involve yourself with. I'll take care of it. "
Ignoring the interjection from the security man the General Manager hugged the old man.
" Its so nice to have one of our ex-general manager come over and spend an evening with us. "
The scowl faded from the security mans face and replaced itself with a look of utter shock.
A broad smile appeared on the old mans face making it wrinkle more.
" Son, you didn't have to put that poor man through such a misery he was only doing his job! "
