The light aircraft sped up
on the runway in an unknown location. It was pouring cats and dogs outside. The
small plane zipped passed the smoky clouds and was out of the heavy rain soon.
After the initial bumpy ride it reached a steady altitude and the seat belt
sign was turned off. All one could see from the window was the solitary sun,
vast expanse of the blue sky above and the murky clouds below. The seven
passengers seated in the plane had minds rustier than the clouds outside. All
of them had their hidden agenda. They all however knew that it was the same
path for everyone that would lead them to their purpose. Only one of them would
succeed. They were all looking for Him, or was it Her? After all, who knows the
gender, if devil has one.
Red
I'm Red and I'm "Right". I am always right because I have enough money to buy everyone on this plane, enough money to enslave you. You, who think that you don't make the money that you deserve, you, who has plenty of time at your disposal, you, who is worth no more than a rat's ass. Do you know that it took me twenty five years to reach where I stand, to set a business empire worth billions? Let me tell you, I hardly slept in those years because that's how you make money. Unlike you I never had time to read stupid stories. I started just as you did but have made it larger than life. I wine and dine with who’s who of the country. I have become what I have become from being no one. I have worked hard, so hard that my bones sweated. I have played dirty games, have the gall to write my own rules, have done things that you would classify unethical. Trust me, I don't fucking care what you or assholes like you think about me as long as I win. I am ruthless. I promise though that I will be good to you. Be in my good books and I'll please you. You must be wondering what a magnanimous man like me is doing on this plane. I thought I could beat anything or anyone till I realized that my age had caught up with me. I don't have much time. I have suffered two cardiac arrests and it's a guaranty that the third one will take my life. I don't want to die. I know you also don't want me to die. I create jobs, the world is a better place to live because of me, and I boost the economy. I do whatever I do for all of you. The society needs me. I have been promised immortality and an unlimited amount of healthy time if I win. You know what I am looking for on this plane, don't you? Help me and I shall pay you handsomely.
Green
I'm Green and I have got the "Glamour". I make the hearts melt, the heads turn, and those ugly male tools harden. I was nick named Viagra in my college. I'm sure every guy in my college imagined me at least once when masturbating. I'm sure you haven't seen a wardrobe that is as expansive as mine. I have three hundred one dresses, five hundred thirty seven pairs of shoes and sixty seven handbags. I never repeat an outfit. I try at least five dresses every morning. My favorite past time is watching myself in the mirror. I can spend hours doing that. I receive gifts from boys every day. Boys, stupid boys. In case you plan to buy something for me, let me warn you, I only believe in brands. I know you are thinking that I am a bitch. I know that too. What sets me apart is not the fact that I'm drop-dead-gorgeous but I know that I am. I like to break hearts. Blue is seated next to me and he can't take his eyes off me. I will demonstrate you my prowess by toying with him. The pertinent question is why am I here? When I was a little kid, my mother spent every day trying different colorful dresses on me. My father spent all his time taking my pictures. They tried hard and also succeeded in winning a few TV ads for me. That's all I was to them, a toy and a pretty doll. That's what I have been to everyone I have known. I have always felt like a Picasso painting that gets adored by everyone but belongs to a museum. If I win this game, I will find someone who will fall in love with me because of who I am and not how I look. Someone, who is rich, someone who will help me expand my wardrobe. Don't you think I deserve it all? That's what brings me here. If you are a boy and help me, you become my friend. Who knows you could be that special person that I want? Let me put on some makeup now.
Violet
I'm Violet and I'm a "Victim". A victim of the destiny. I am what you proudly refer to as the common man. Sometimes I am termed as middle class. My father spent all his life trying to ensure that I break the poor man barrier that he was tagged to. He used to ride my younger brother and myself five miles to our school every day on his bicycle. I always wanted to sit in the front but I was the elder brother so I had to be content with the back seat. It would always remain that way. Destiny favored him, always. Our school sponsored the Xth standard topper to go and study in New Delhi. I would have made it but for the malaria. I missed the bus by a few marks. A few years later, when no one expected my brother made it. I would have been happy with my middle class status and my meager job but for my brother who works in the same company several levels above me. He makes twenty times more than I do. Mr. Red didn't recognize me but it's his company that I work for. Red, the rogue. My brother is his right hand man. I have been compared with my brother throughout my life and I am sick of it. I'm married and have two kids. I live in a small one bedroom house that barely fits in the four family members. Most of my time is spent at work or managing the daily household chores. My wife suffers from a uterus disorder that keeps her bedridden and has turned her into an incorrigibly peevish woman. Any money that I can save gets washed away in her treatment. My kids cry out every day for things I can't afford. I am Mr. unlucky. It's a dog's life. I'm tired. I seek money, I seek comfort, and I seek luxury. I know I have your full sympathies. The story of my life, an injustice, I am sure has sent a chill down your spine. That's why I know you will help me.
Blue
I'm Blue and I have got the "Brains". I can solve problems even before you can understand them. You won't be surprised if I told you that I studied at IIT. Even when in my college, everyone knew that I was made for bigger things in life. I was invited by MIT, United States for my post graduation. Did I tell you, I appeared in the CAT exam without any preparation, not because I wanted to be an MBA, because I was looking for some fun and scored 99.9 percentile? I'm now working as a chief architect in a global software firm and I lead three product lines, two of them my own individual ideas. Everyone in my company salutes my brilliance. I am the go-to man for any technical problem around. I run an online blog where people can post their technical problems and I personally answer the questions worth their salt. It was tough for me to leave my work but I had to be here. I had to be here because I am thirty two and I have to confess still a virgin. I have jerked off for the last seventeen years of my life, at least once a day. I probably own the biggest porn collection in the world. If I am not thinking about my work, I am thinking about sex. I want to fall in love, marry desperately and break my virginity with someone like Green. The girls I fell in love with never liked me and any bride that my parents selected for me were no good. I read somewhere that when you think about something that desperately, the universe conspires for you to make it. I believe that the letter that I received is God's plan. This is my chance. I'll find the devil. I hope it's not Green because after I have destroyed the devil, I am going to seek her hand for marriage.
Indigo
I'm Indigo and I have got the "Intellect". I was a topper throughout my school and college. My office will fall apart if I don't work for a day. I'm the one who runs from meeting to meeting making strategies. I work twenty hours every day. My power point presentations are orgasmic to the audience. I quote Aristotle, Einstein and many others at drop of a hat. I'm very easy to locate. I wear big black spectacles and I've got a short boyish haircut. For your information, I'm a woman, not a man as you must have thought. You can find me in a local coffee shop savoring on books. I read all kinds of books. Biographies, Fiction, Philosophy, you name it. My book shelf is worth one thousand one books. I am carrying a Nietzsche book with me. I'm holding the book right now so that everyone can see the title. By the way have you seen the movie 'Inception'? I have done it multiple times and I never miss a chance to help my friends understand the movie. You are a trustworthy friend, so I'll tell you a secret and hope that you won't share it with anyone. From my school days I have crammed information. I crammed solutions to problems and perfected the art of vomiting them in the exams. I scored 100% in Mathematics, I mugged up all the chemical formulas, and I crammed all the laws of Physics. I have done it all without understanding anything. I flaunt my science books, skimming through them, trying to make sense, understanding nothing, quoting them and pretending that I'm Einstein’s granddaughter. I don't know what I mean when I quote business strategies to my clients or for that matter Quantum Physics to my friends, I didn't understand the movie 'Inception' either, still I do a great job of impressing people. People are always in awe of me. Despite of all of this I don't get what I deserve in my life. I can never seem to get enough. My corporate career has come to a plateau. People like Green seem to get it so easily. I feel self pity when I look at my limited material possessions. That's exactly what brings me here. If I find the fiend amongst us I'm granted the clarity that the studs of industry have. I’m granted the wisdom to earn more money. I would become an industry leader. I will expand my wealth and my possessions.
Yellow
I'm Yellow and I am "You". I don't like that surprised look on your face. Don't you remember boarding this flight? Can't you hear the loud engine noise right now? Now come on, you at least remember the letter that you received last week. No? Nothing at all? Are you serious? You are getting old. Never mind, it's my bad. I shouldn't have trusted your memory cells. It's been five hours on the plane already. Are you feeling hungry by the way? There is no service on this plane. There's unlimited food at the back but you have to serve yourselves. Get used to it for it might be a very long flight. OK, just so that we are on the same page, let's just go through that letter once again, shall we?
The Letter
My Child,
It's Me. I will be brief. I have a proposal for you. I want you to close your eyes and think of your biggest fear, your deepest insecurity. The one thing that haunts you every night you go to bed. Close your eyes now. I can see you, you haven't closed you eyes. Close them and keep them closed for another minute. Nice, I like it. I knew that's exactly what you would think. I can help you overcome it. In return I want you to help me. Find the devil. If you agree, one week from now after you have slept, you will find yourself seated on a plane. A mind on the plane, that's where the devil hides. Keep your own weapon. Locate that mind and destroy it. You will have no choice but to destroy it as soon as you locate that mind. As soon as the devil is destroyed, by you or someone else, you will be transported back to your bed. It's time to pay your gratitude to me.
Your creator,
God
The cockpit
"I'm going to win this time around", the pilot says.
Red
We are all seated in one row. It's a simple 2-3-2 seating layout. I am on the extreme left seated on the window seat and Violet is seated next to me. He comes across as a moron. I have seen him before. I would never sit with a filthy man like him. His misery is written all over his forehead. From the moment the plane took off I have been thinking hard on where I have met him. You can imagine how hard it is for someone like me who meets new people every day. Then it strikes me. "Aren't you Purple's brother”? He turns around to face me and gives me a look that tells me that he doesn't like me much. Not a surprise. "Yes, I am Purple's elder brother", he says. "Hello, Mr. Violet. It's so nice to see you. What a pleasant surprise! I must tell you that your brother thinks very highly of you. I have heard him talk good things about you a lot of times. I have wanted to meet you for quite some time", I utter a blatant lie. I remember him because Purple would always make fun of him. Purple, the bastard. I give Violet the time to enjoy the ego massage I had just given him. "What brings you here", I finally ask. By the way have you been able to locate the one? Let me give you a hint. This man who I just deceived so easily can’t be the devil.
Blue
I'm seated in the middle of the three adjacent seats with you to my left. I feel an instant dislike for you. The gorgeous Green is to my right. I can't take my eyes off her breasts. They are a demo of God's art. I close my eyes and imagine holding those soft round moulds when I hear, "Excuse me. Are you asleep"? Am I dreaming? No, I am sure, I am not. "No, I am awake. How can I help you?” I respond. "I can't turn the entertainment system on, can you help me", she asks sweetly. Her husky voice strikes a chord deep inside my heart. She smiles, dimples appear on her cheeks and it becomes even harder for me to maintain my calm. "Sure". Before my trembling hands reach out to the panel, she stops me and says, "Thanks but you know what, leave it, I'm not in mood of watching a movie. You look like a scholar. A professor, are you? I have always been scared of professors". She giggles. I watch her dumbfounded, the smile, the juicy lips, the red lipstick, the curvy hair on her broad forehead, and the pointed nose. I need to respond to her but I can't seem to remember what she asked. I feel like getting sucked into a whirlpool.
Violet
It came as a surprise. Purple had good words to say about me? It's hard to believe but why would Mr. Red lie to me? I was feeling much better than what I was feeling when I found myself on this plane amongst these people. Mr. Red seems to be a nice man. He even recognized me. I think I can confide in him. "Sir, all I seek is money. I want to be super rich. I want enough money to keep me and my family happy forever". Mr. Red laughs like I have just tickled his funny bone. "My dear Violet, why do you worry about money? You are Purple's brother who I have always treated like a son, so you are my son too. Why didn't you approach me earlier? You don't need to be here for the monies. I'll take care of it once we land", he says and pats my shoulder. "What a caring man", I think and out of sheer gratitude I touch the old man's feet. "Thanks", I say. I know this kind man can't be the person I'm looking for on this plane. I have felt envy towards my brother all my life and never really understood that he meant no harm. We stay quiet for another ten minutes and then he turns around. "Now that you are on the plane, why don't you help me figure out who the devil is"? I look to my right and notice everyone else. No one gives me an impression of being the devil's keeper.
Green
My charm never fails. I like to tame men but Blue is too easy a prey. His body language shows how desperately he wants to have me. We strike upon a conversation, me doing most of the talking. I talk about my stint as a model with an ad agency. I talk about how I love the rain. I talk about how I'd love to walk on the beach hand in hand with the one I love. I maintain my smile. His hands tremble all the time, his hair raised, his eyes drooling and mouth salivating. I hope you are enjoying his misery. He is some sort of an architect and speaks about his work, his eyes glued to my curves. "Architect! Wow, Big man! Very impressive, tell me more", I say and pat him and then rest my hand on his shoulder. His face twitches for a moment and then he continues talking. I notice that Indigo who is sitting on an aisle seat next to me is eavesdropping into our conversation and paying a lot of attention to what Blue has to say. "You are such a nice and intelligent guy. What on this earth possibly got you to this plane", I finally ask the question. I look straight into his eyes keeping my eyes wide open and poke my long pink painted nails into his hand.
Indigo
I so wish I was seated with Blue. He seems to be my kind of a guy. I'll be very quiet though with him. I will just listen to him and pick up some keywords. I'm good at picking up keywords and then using them in my conversations. "I’ve longed for someone like you all my life", I hear fragments of Blue's words. The rumbling noise of the engine makes it harder for me to understand the conversation. "I’m charming", Green utters. I hold my book pretending that I am reading it and focus hard to listen into what Blue is saying but it’s broken by a loud shriek. You are the first one to run towards the lavatory. It's Red who is screaming out loud and soon everyone is. Blood is spurting out from beneath the locked lavatory door. Blue and you ram the door and break it apart. We all see Violet sitting on the toilet seat, pale faced, dropped shoulders, wrists slashed, a knife soaked in blood lying on the floor. One look at the bloody scene and it's not hard to guess that he is dead. The scene leaves all of us flabbergasted. Red crashes on the floor. There is little that anyone of us can do so it's decided that this lavatory won't be used and all of us return to our seats. Blue and I help Red get to his seat. It's hard for you to hide the happiness on your face as I see you take a bite on a chocolate. I think for a moment it’s you who killed him. Did you?
Yellow
You have enjoyed the journey so far. You are happy. Aren't you? Yes, it must have been scary to see the blood pool but I know it makes you happy. I know you are smarter than the impression you made first time around when you played ignorant to being on this plane. You are glad because the equation is a bit simplified now with Violet out of it. You are one step closer to identifying which mind is devil's house, one step closer towards the life you always wanted, and one step closer to attaining your panacea. So what is the weapon that you are carrying with yourself? Make sure you keep it close. You don't know when you are going to need it. You sit back on your seat and start to think who killed Violet. Deep in these thoughts you don't realize when you fall asleep. You see Violet in your dreams trying to tell you something but you can't hear anything he has to say. You wake up perspiring. You see to your right. Blue and Green are not there.
Green
To be honest, I still can't get over that bloody mess. Blue taps me on my shoulder and says, "We can solve it right away. You have to be brave if you want to help yourselves. I could have done it myself but that wouldn't have given you what you seek. I'll give you the idea and in return you marry me after you have destroyed devil's nest. It's a win-win scenario. It's important that no one listens into my idea while we discuss it". It will not cause any harm to listen to Blue's idea. I don't want to marry him but at this point in time agreeing to his terms is the best option. After all it might be the master stroke that leads me to the Satan. I am not going to marry him. After everyone fell asleep he asks me to sit with him a couple of rows back. He can see the tension on my face. "Do you want to know why Violet was killed"? "Do you know who killed him", I ask. "No, I don't. But I do know why he was killed".
Blue
My initial reaction after I saw Violet's dead body was that someone might have killed him thinking he was the one. It was clear to me though that he had killed himself. I told you I have got neurons in plenty. The lavatory door was locked from inside. I had carefully noticed the multiple gashes that the knife had made on his left wrist and it was evident that it was his right hand that had done the job. There was no way in the world that someone else had killed him. It was the dead body that gave me the idea that I was discussing with Green now. "Look at the four people sitting in front of you. One of them has turned into a murderer. He or she is going to kill all of us one by one till he or she finds the devil. That's the whole idea. You get six eggs and one of them has a diamond ring inside. So what do you do? You break all the eggs till you break the one that has the treasure. That's what I suggest you do now before he or she strikes next. Who knows you could be his or her next target". "You have gone crazy. You are asking me to kill innocent people so that you can get me to bed. I think it's you who is the devil. May be I should kill you right away. Only a devil can think of such a heinous idea", she says and leaves me. She is right. I am nothing but a bag of lust. I begin to cry.
Red
Indigo was seated next to me when I woke up. As soon as she saw me move, she served me with water. I must have dozed off last night. I got up and realized that Violet isn’t there seated next to me. I got up to use the toilet and found that one of them was in use. That's when I saw the blood. My weak heart somehow survived the scare. The last thing that I remembered from last night is that I screamed. I can't recall what had happened after that. "You lost consciousness after you saw Violet's dead body. I got you to your seat and after everyone was fast asleep I realized that you were not breathing", Indigo says. "I had to act fast. I gave you a mouth-to-mouth to help you breathe. Thank God you are alive". She gave me the kiss of life and brought me back from the burrows of death. "Thanks", I say. I give a close look at her face. The boyish smile and a small nose. I feel like taking her in my arms. I feel this sudden urge to kiss her and suck those thin petal lips. "I'm so happy that you are alive. You are a great man", she says and hugs me. I will chew the bitch's flesh tonight when everyone is asleep.
Yellow
You wake up. You feel hungry. You take a shower, brush your teeth and then serve yourselves with a sandwich. It's on your way back to your seat you realize that something is wrong with Blue who is seated alone a few rows back. His face has turned ashen and froth is falling out of his mouth. The white froth has formed a puddle on his shirt near his chest. It's your time to scream now. Blue's dead. Someone has poisoned him. Every one gathers around the dead body. You drag the dead body and push it in the lavatory where Violet's body was rotting. Are you getting closer now to solving the riddle? Two down and you are still on the plane. Four more to go. You look around and think hard who the fiend is. Keep trying, I know you are not far away.
Indigo
I lied. Red was not dying. He was unconscious for a little while, that's it. I was not going to miss such a marvelous opportunity though. I have the tact to be in the good books of such people. It was for that reason that I got him to his seat and now was singing tales of his wisdom. Having the right connections is very important in the corporate world. I am happy that Violet is dead as this gives me a chance to be seated next to Red. He sleeps with his arms around me. I close my eyes and try to sleep. I feel his hand move and touch my breasts. He holds me firmly and kisses me on my cheek. I am at loss on how to respond. I have slept with many men but that was before my marriage. Despite the troublesome marriage and the fact that my husband and I will be separating soon, I have never touched another man after my marriage. Red caresses my hair, my eyes remain close and he kisses me on my lips. He puts his hand under my t-shirt and holds my left breast firmly. "Mr. Red, I am feeling uncomfortable, please let me go", I say pushing him back. He slaps me. "You whore, shut up. You greedy bitch. I know I wasn't dying and there was no mouth-to-mouth that you gave to me. I know why you have been good to me. I have bedded plenty of women like you. Just tell me what you want", he says and slaps me even harder. I turn around and punch him on his nose. "I would have slept with you ugly old man but for the violence. The wrath that you keep within will kill you soon", I scream.
Green
The smile and the dimples were back after I left Blue on his seat. I sat back and thought that his idea made perfect sense. Deep in my thoughts on how to execute the plan I fell asleep. I know what you are thinking now. You are thinking that it's me who killed Blue. I did not. Trust me, it wasn't me. I only woke up when I heard the murmurs and that's when I realized that he's dead. It sends a chill down my spine. Blue was right. Someone on this plane is a murderer who will keep on killing till he or she finds the devil. I can't sleep. After thinking through the course of events for few hours I feel I can confide in you. I move to where Blue was seated. "Yellow". Before you respond, there is a loud noise that we hear. No doubt, it's a gun shot. We get up and rush back. It's the lavatory again. It's Red. The gun shot we heard has punched a hole in his head. The gun is lying on the floor. You were with me so my guess was right. You are not the murderer. It's surprising that's the first thought that comes to my mind. I'm not scared, after all it’s not the first time that I saw a dead body. I hold your hand. "I'm not sure why you are here but let me tell you that whatever it is, I deserve to win it. My need is bigger than yours. Look at me, what a ravishing beauty I am. Help me locate the devil. I deserve to win". "What do you think of yourself? Keep that pride of yours with you", you tell me and leave me. I enter the other lavatory and stare at myself in the mirror. I think I am close to locating the one.
Indigo
I look at Red's dead body and remember his last words that he had spoken to me. They haunt me. I think I have located the devil. I should have always known. "I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves". This is what Einstein said. I feel the ice pick in my pocket. I get up. The time has come. I move towards the lavatory. I open the door. Green is inside. Her head is buried in the wash basin. I touch her and her body falls like a heap on the floor. She is dead.
Devil
So, you have been looking for me. You don't need to try that hard. You know what I mean, don't you? I am a creature of few words. I have nothing else to say. I can't stop laughing.
God
My Child, it's me again. I am the pilot of this plane. Everyone who is dead has made the mistake that millions have made before. I created the world, I created you but the one who created me, created the devil as well. To the contrary belief, we are friends, in fact brothers. Yes, there is competition between us but it's all professional. The world has always believed that it's Me who lives inside each one of you. The devil claims otherwise. We have argued for centuries that who is right? The six of you, four dead are not the first ones to be part of this game, a game I have never won. The devil picks six individuals that get the letter that you got from me. The devil chose you. I’m sure you know that Indigo is about to commit the same mistake that the others committed. I have high hopes on you though. I know you will be able to pin point the devil. It will be just the two of you left on this plane, so it is simple, isn't it?
The choice is yours!
Red
I'm Red and I'm "Right". I am always right because I have enough money to buy everyone on this plane, enough money to enslave you. You, who think that you don't make the money that you deserve, you, who has plenty of time at your disposal, you, who is worth no more than a rat's ass. Do you know that it took me twenty five years to reach where I stand, to set a business empire worth billions? Let me tell you, I hardly slept in those years because that's how you make money. Unlike you I never had time to read stupid stories. I started just as you did but have made it larger than life. I wine and dine with who’s who of the country. I have become what I have become from being no one. I have worked hard, so hard that my bones sweated. I have played dirty games, have the gall to write my own rules, have done things that you would classify unethical. Trust me, I don't fucking care what you or assholes like you think about me as long as I win. I am ruthless. I promise though that I will be good to you. Be in my good books and I'll please you. You must be wondering what a magnanimous man like me is doing on this plane. I thought I could beat anything or anyone till I realized that my age had caught up with me. I don't have much time. I have suffered two cardiac arrests and it's a guaranty that the third one will take my life. I don't want to die. I know you also don't want me to die. I create jobs, the world is a better place to live because of me, and I boost the economy. I do whatever I do for all of you. The society needs me. I have been promised immortality and an unlimited amount of healthy time if I win. You know what I am looking for on this plane, don't you? Help me and I shall pay you handsomely.
Green
I'm Green and I have got the "Glamour". I make the hearts melt, the heads turn, and those ugly male tools harden. I was nick named Viagra in my college. I'm sure every guy in my college imagined me at least once when masturbating. I'm sure you haven't seen a wardrobe that is as expansive as mine. I have three hundred one dresses, five hundred thirty seven pairs of shoes and sixty seven handbags. I never repeat an outfit. I try at least five dresses every morning. My favorite past time is watching myself in the mirror. I can spend hours doing that. I receive gifts from boys every day. Boys, stupid boys. In case you plan to buy something for me, let me warn you, I only believe in brands. I know you are thinking that I am a bitch. I know that too. What sets me apart is not the fact that I'm drop-dead-gorgeous but I know that I am. I like to break hearts. Blue is seated next to me and he can't take his eyes off me. I will demonstrate you my prowess by toying with him. The pertinent question is why am I here? When I was a little kid, my mother spent every day trying different colorful dresses on me. My father spent all his time taking my pictures. They tried hard and also succeeded in winning a few TV ads for me. That's all I was to them, a toy and a pretty doll. That's what I have been to everyone I have known. I have always felt like a Picasso painting that gets adored by everyone but belongs to a museum. If I win this game, I will find someone who will fall in love with me because of who I am and not how I look. Someone, who is rich, someone who will help me expand my wardrobe. Don't you think I deserve it all? That's what brings me here. If you are a boy and help me, you become my friend. Who knows you could be that special person that I want? Let me put on some makeup now.
Violet
I'm Violet and I'm a "Victim". A victim of the destiny. I am what you proudly refer to as the common man. Sometimes I am termed as middle class. My father spent all his life trying to ensure that I break the poor man barrier that he was tagged to. He used to ride my younger brother and myself five miles to our school every day on his bicycle. I always wanted to sit in the front but I was the elder brother so I had to be content with the back seat. It would always remain that way. Destiny favored him, always. Our school sponsored the Xth standard topper to go and study in New Delhi. I would have made it but for the malaria. I missed the bus by a few marks. A few years later, when no one expected my brother made it. I would have been happy with my middle class status and my meager job but for my brother who works in the same company several levels above me. He makes twenty times more than I do. Mr. Red didn't recognize me but it's his company that I work for. Red, the rogue. My brother is his right hand man. I have been compared with my brother throughout my life and I am sick of it. I'm married and have two kids. I live in a small one bedroom house that barely fits in the four family members. Most of my time is spent at work or managing the daily household chores. My wife suffers from a uterus disorder that keeps her bedridden and has turned her into an incorrigibly peevish woman. Any money that I can save gets washed away in her treatment. My kids cry out every day for things I can't afford. I am Mr. unlucky. It's a dog's life. I'm tired. I seek money, I seek comfort, and I seek luxury. I know I have your full sympathies. The story of my life, an injustice, I am sure has sent a chill down your spine. That's why I know you will help me.
Blue
I'm Blue and I have got the "Brains". I can solve problems even before you can understand them. You won't be surprised if I told you that I studied at IIT. Even when in my college, everyone knew that I was made for bigger things in life. I was invited by MIT, United States for my post graduation. Did I tell you, I appeared in the CAT exam without any preparation, not because I wanted to be an MBA, because I was looking for some fun and scored 99.9 percentile? I'm now working as a chief architect in a global software firm and I lead three product lines, two of them my own individual ideas. Everyone in my company salutes my brilliance. I am the go-to man for any technical problem around. I run an online blog where people can post their technical problems and I personally answer the questions worth their salt. It was tough for me to leave my work but I had to be here. I had to be here because I am thirty two and I have to confess still a virgin. I have jerked off for the last seventeen years of my life, at least once a day. I probably own the biggest porn collection in the world. If I am not thinking about my work, I am thinking about sex. I want to fall in love, marry desperately and break my virginity with someone like Green. The girls I fell in love with never liked me and any bride that my parents selected for me were no good. I read somewhere that when you think about something that desperately, the universe conspires for you to make it. I believe that the letter that I received is God's plan. This is my chance. I'll find the devil. I hope it's not Green because after I have destroyed the devil, I am going to seek her hand for marriage.
Indigo
I'm Indigo and I have got the "Intellect". I was a topper throughout my school and college. My office will fall apart if I don't work for a day. I'm the one who runs from meeting to meeting making strategies. I work twenty hours every day. My power point presentations are orgasmic to the audience. I quote Aristotle, Einstein and many others at drop of a hat. I'm very easy to locate. I wear big black spectacles and I've got a short boyish haircut. For your information, I'm a woman, not a man as you must have thought. You can find me in a local coffee shop savoring on books. I read all kinds of books. Biographies, Fiction, Philosophy, you name it. My book shelf is worth one thousand one books. I am carrying a Nietzsche book with me. I'm holding the book right now so that everyone can see the title. By the way have you seen the movie 'Inception'? I have done it multiple times and I never miss a chance to help my friends understand the movie. You are a trustworthy friend, so I'll tell you a secret and hope that you won't share it with anyone. From my school days I have crammed information. I crammed solutions to problems and perfected the art of vomiting them in the exams. I scored 100% in Mathematics, I mugged up all the chemical formulas, and I crammed all the laws of Physics. I have done it all without understanding anything. I flaunt my science books, skimming through them, trying to make sense, understanding nothing, quoting them and pretending that I'm Einstein’s granddaughter. I don't know what I mean when I quote business strategies to my clients or for that matter Quantum Physics to my friends, I didn't understand the movie 'Inception' either, still I do a great job of impressing people. People are always in awe of me. Despite of all of this I don't get what I deserve in my life. I can never seem to get enough. My corporate career has come to a plateau. People like Green seem to get it so easily. I feel self pity when I look at my limited material possessions. That's exactly what brings me here. If I find the fiend amongst us I'm granted the clarity that the studs of industry have. I’m granted the wisdom to earn more money. I would become an industry leader. I will expand my wealth and my possessions.
Yellow
I'm Yellow and I am "You". I don't like that surprised look on your face. Don't you remember boarding this flight? Can't you hear the loud engine noise right now? Now come on, you at least remember the letter that you received last week. No? Nothing at all? Are you serious? You are getting old. Never mind, it's my bad. I shouldn't have trusted your memory cells. It's been five hours on the plane already. Are you feeling hungry by the way? There is no service on this plane. There's unlimited food at the back but you have to serve yourselves. Get used to it for it might be a very long flight. OK, just so that we are on the same page, let's just go through that letter once again, shall we?
The Letter
My Child,
It's Me. I will be brief. I have a proposal for you. I want you to close your eyes and think of your biggest fear, your deepest insecurity. The one thing that haunts you every night you go to bed. Close your eyes now. I can see you, you haven't closed you eyes. Close them and keep them closed for another minute. Nice, I like it. I knew that's exactly what you would think. I can help you overcome it. In return I want you to help me. Find the devil. If you agree, one week from now after you have slept, you will find yourself seated on a plane. A mind on the plane, that's where the devil hides. Keep your own weapon. Locate that mind and destroy it. You will have no choice but to destroy it as soon as you locate that mind. As soon as the devil is destroyed, by you or someone else, you will be transported back to your bed. It's time to pay your gratitude to me.
Your creator,
God
The cockpit
"I'm going to win this time around", the pilot says.
Red
We are all seated in one row. It's a simple 2-3-2 seating layout. I am on the extreme left seated on the window seat and Violet is seated next to me. He comes across as a moron. I have seen him before. I would never sit with a filthy man like him. His misery is written all over his forehead. From the moment the plane took off I have been thinking hard on where I have met him. You can imagine how hard it is for someone like me who meets new people every day. Then it strikes me. "Aren't you Purple's brother”? He turns around to face me and gives me a look that tells me that he doesn't like me much. Not a surprise. "Yes, I am Purple's elder brother", he says. "Hello, Mr. Violet. It's so nice to see you. What a pleasant surprise! I must tell you that your brother thinks very highly of you. I have heard him talk good things about you a lot of times. I have wanted to meet you for quite some time", I utter a blatant lie. I remember him because Purple would always make fun of him. Purple, the bastard. I give Violet the time to enjoy the ego massage I had just given him. "What brings you here", I finally ask. By the way have you been able to locate the one? Let me give you a hint. This man who I just deceived so easily can’t be the devil.
Blue
I'm seated in the middle of the three adjacent seats with you to my left. I feel an instant dislike for you. The gorgeous Green is to my right. I can't take my eyes off her breasts. They are a demo of God's art. I close my eyes and imagine holding those soft round moulds when I hear, "Excuse me. Are you asleep"? Am I dreaming? No, I am sure, I am not. "No, I am awake. How can I help you?” I respond. "I can't turn the entertainment system on, can you help me", she asks sweetly. Her husky voice strikes a chord deep inside my heart. She smiles, dimples appear on her cheeks and it becomes even harder for me to maintain my calm. "Sure". Before my trembling hands reach out to the panel, she stops me and says, "Thanks but you know what, leave it, I'm not in mood of watching a movie. You look like a scholar. A professor, are you? I have always been scared of professors". She giggles. I watch her dumbfounded, the smile, the juicy lips, the red lipstick, the curvy hair on her broad forehead, and the pointed nose. I need to respond to her but I can't seem to remember what she asked. I feel like getting sucked into a whirlpool.
Violet
It came as a surprise. Purple had good words to say about me? It's hard to believe but why would Mr. Red lie to me? I was feeling much better than what I was feeling when I found myself on this plane amongst these people. Mr. Red seems to be a nice man. He even recognized me. I think I can confide in him. "Sir, all I seek is money. I want to be super rich. I want enough money to keep me and my family happy forever". Mr. Red laughs like I have just tickled his funny bone. "My dear Violet, why do you worry about money? You are Purple's brother who I have always treated like a son, so you are my son too. Why didn't you approach me earlier? You don't need to be here for the monies. I'll take care of it once we land", he says and pats my shoulder. "What a caring man", I think and out of sheer gratitude I touch the old man's feet. "Thanks", I say. I know this kind man can't be the person I'm looking for on this plane. I have felt envy towards my brother all my life and never really understood that he meant no harm. We stay quiet for another ten minutes and then he turns around. "Now that you are on the plane, why don't you help me figure out who the devil is"? I look to my right and notice everyone else. No one gives me an impression of being the devil's keeper.
Green
My charm never fails. I like to tame men but Blue is too easy a prey. His body language shows how desperately he wants to have me. We strike upon a conversation, me doing most of the talking. I talk about my stint as a model with an ad agency. I talk about how I love the rain. I talk about how I'd love to walk on the beach hand in hand with the one I love. I maintain my smile. His hands tremble all the time, his hair raised, his eyes drooling and mouth salivating. I hope you are enjoying his misery. He is some sort of an architect and speaks about his work, his eyes glued to my curves. "Architect! Wow, Big man! Very impressive, tell me more", I say and pat him and then rest my hand on his shoulder. His face twitches for a moment and then he continues talking. I notice that Indigo who is sitting on an aisle seat next to me is eavesdropping into our conversation and paying a lot of attention to what Blue has to say. "You are such a nice and intelligent guy. What on this earth possibly got you to this plane", I finally ask the question. I look straight into his eyes keeping my eyes wide open and poke my long pink painted nails into his hand.
Indigo
I so wish I was seated with Blue. He seems to be my kind of a guy. I'll be very quiet though with him. I will just listen to him and pick up some keywords. I'm good at picking up keywords and then using them in my conversations. "I’ve longed for someone like you all my life", I hear fragments of Blue's words. The rumbling noise of the engine makes it harder for me to understand the conversation. "I’m charming", Green utters. I hold my book pretending that I am reading it and focus hard to listen into what Blue is saying but it’s broken by a loud shriek. You are the first one to run towards the lavatory. It's Red who is screaming out loud and soon everyone is. Blood is spurting out from beneath the locked lavatory door. Blue and you ram the door and break it apart. We all see Violet sitting on the toilet seat, pale faced, dropped shoulders, wrists slashed, a knife soaked in blood lying on the floor. One look at the bloody scene and it's not hard to guess that he is dead. The scene leaves all of us flabbergasted. Red crashes on the floor. There is little that anyone of us can do so it's decided that this lavatory won't be used and all of us return to our seats. Blue and I help Red get to his seat. It's hard for you to hide the happiness on your face as I see you take a bite on a chocolate. I think for a moment it’s you who killed him. Did you?
Yellow
You have enjoyed the journey so far. You are happy. Aren't you? Yes, it must have been scary to see the blood pool but I know it makes you happy. I know you are smarter than the impression you made first time around when you played ignorant to being on this plane. You are glad because the equation is a bit simplified now with Violet out of it. You are one step closer to identifying which mind is devil's house, one step closer towards the life you always wanted, and one step closer to attaining your panacea. So what is the weapon that you are carrying with yourself? Make sure you keep it close. You don't know when you are going to need it. You sit back on your seat and start to think who killed Violet. Deep in these thoughts you don't realize when you fall asleep. You see Violet in your dreams trying to tell you something but you can't hear anything he has to say. You wake up perspiring. You see to your right. Blue and Green are not there.
Green
To be honest, I still can't get over that bloody mess. Blue taps me on my shoulder and says, "We can solve it right away. You have to be brave if you want to help yourselves. I could have done it myself but that wouldn't have given you what you seek. I'll give you the idea and in return you marry me after you have destroyed devil's nest. It's a win-win scenario. It's important that no one listens into my idea while we discuss it". It will not cause any harm to listen to Blue's idea. I don't want to marry him but at this point in time agreeing to his terms is the best option. After all it might be the master stroke that leads me to the Satan. I am not going to marry him. After everyone fell asleep he asks me to sit with him a couple of rows back. He can see the tension on my face. "Do you want to know why Violet was killed"? "Do you know who killed him", I ask. "No, I don't. But I do know why he was killed".
Blue
My initial reaction after I saw Violet's dead body was that someone might have killed him thinking he was the one. It was clear to me though that he had killed himself. I told you I have got neurons in plenty. The lavatory door was locked from inside. I had carefully noticed the multiple gashes that the knife had made on his left wrist and it was evident that it was his right hand that had done the job. There was no way in the world that someone else had killed him. It was the dead body that gave me the idea that I was discussing with Green now. "Look at the four people sitting in front of you. One of them has turned into a murderer. He or she is going to kill all of us one by one till he or she finds the devil. That's the whole idea. You get six eggs and one of them has a diamond ring inside. So what do you do? You break all the eggs till you break the one that has the treasure. That's what I suggest you do now before he or she strikes next. Who knows you could be his or her next target". "You have gone crazy. You are asking me to kill innocent people so that you can get me to bed. I think it's you who is the devil. May be I should kill you right away. Only a devil can think of such a heinous idea", she says and leaves me. She is right. I am nothing but a bag of lust. I begin to cry.
Red
Indigo was seated next to me when I woke up. As soon as she saw me move, she served me with water. I must have dozed off last night. I got up and realized that Violet isn’t there seated next to me. I got up to use the toilet and found that one of them was in use. That's when I saw the blood. My weak heart somehow survived the scare. The last thing that I remembered from last night is that I screamed. I can't recall what had happened after that. "You lost consciousness after you saw Violet's dead body. I got you to your seat and after everyone was fast asleep I realized that you were not breathing", Indigo says. "I had to act fast. I gave you a mouth-to-mouth to help you breathe. Thank God you are alive". She gave me the kiss of life and brought me back from the burrows of death. "Thanks", I say. I give a close look at her face. The boyish smile and a small nose. I feel like taking her in my arms. I feel this sudden urge to kiss her and suck those thin petal lips. "I'm so happy that you are alive. You are a great man", she says and hugs me. I will chew the bitch's flesh tonight when everyone is asleep.
Yellow
You wake up. You feel hungry. You take a shower, brush your teeth and then serve yourselves with a sandwich. It's on your way back to your seat you realize that something is wrong with Blue who is seated alone a few rows back. His face has turned ashen and froth is falling out of his mouth. The white froth has formed a puddle on his shirt near his chest. It's your time to scream now. Blue's dead. Someone has poisoned him. Every one gathers around the dead body. You drag the dead body and push it in the lavatory where Violet's body was rotting. Are you getting closer now to solving the riddle? Two down and you are still on the plane. Four more to go. You look around and think hard who the fiend is. Keep trying, I know you are not far away.
Indigo
I lied. Red was not dying. He was unconscious for a little while, that's it. I was not going to miss such a marvelous opportunity though. I have the tact to be in the good books of such people. It was for that reason that I got him to his seat and now was singing tales of his wisdom. Having the right connections is very important in the corporate world. I am happy that Violet is dead as this gives me a chance to be seated next to Red. He sleeps with his arms around me. I close my eyes and try to sleep. I feel his hand move and touch my breasts. He holds me firmly and kisses me on my cheek. I am at loss on how to respond. I have slept with many men but that was before my marriage. Despite the troublesome marriage and the fact that my husband and I will be separating soon, I have never touched another man after my marriage. Red caresses my hair, my eyes remain close and he kisses me on my lips. He puts his hand under my t-shirt and holds my left breast firmly. "Mr. Red, I am feeling uncomfortable, please let me go", I say pushing him back. He slaps me. "You whore, shut up. You greedy bitch. I know I wasn't dying and there was no mouth-to-mouth that you gave to me. I know why you have been good to me. I have bedded plenty of women like you. Just tell me what you want", he says and slaps me even harder. I turn around and punch him on his nose. "I would have slept with you ugly old man but for the violence. The wrath that you keep within will kill you soon", I scream.
Green
The smile and the dimples were back after I left Blue on his seat. I sat back and thought that his idea made perfect sense. Deep in my thoughts on how to execute the plan I fell asleep. I know what you are thinking now. You are thinking that it's me who killed Blue. I did not. Trust me, it wasn't me. I only woke up when I heard the murmurs and that's when I realized that he's dead. It sends a chill down my spine. Blue was right. Someone on this plane is a murderer who will keep on killing till he or she finds the devil. I can't sleep. After thinking through the course of events for few hours I feel I can confide in you. I move to where Blue was seated. "Yellow". Before you respond, there is a loud noise that we hear. No doubt, it's a gun shot. We get up and rush back. It's the lavatory again. It's Red. The gun shot we heard has punched a hole in his head. The gun is lying on the floor. You were with me so my guess was right. You are not the murderer. It's surprising that's the first thought that comes to my mind. I'm not scared, after all it’s not the first time that I saw a dead body. I hold your hand. "I'm not sure why you are here but let me tell you that whatever it is, I deserve to win it. My need is bigger than yours. Look at me, what a ravishing beauty I am. Help me locate the devil. I deserve to win". "What do you think of yourself? Keep that pride of yours with you", you tell me and leave me. I enter the other lavatory and stare at myself in the mirror. I think I am close to locating the one.
Indigo
I look at Red's dead body and remember his last words that he had spoken to me. They haunt me. I think I have located the devil. I should have always known. "I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves". This is what Einstein said. I feel the ice pick in my pocket. I get up. The time has come. I move towards the lavatory. I open the door. Green is inside. Her head is buried in the wash basin. I touch her and her body falls like a heap on the floor. She is dead.
Devil
So, you have been looking for me. You don't need to try that hard. You know what I mean, don't you? I am a creature of few words. I have nothing else to say. I can't stop laughing.
God
My Child, it's me again. I am the pilot of this plane. Everyone who is dead has made the mistake that millions have made before. I created the world, I created you but the one who created me, created the devil as well. To the contrary belief, we are friends, in fact brothers. Yes, there is competition between us but it's all professional. The world has always believed that it's Me who lives inside each one of you. The devil claims otherwise. We have argued for centuries that who is right? The six of you, four dead are not the first ones to be part of this game, a game I have never won. The devil picks six individuals that get the letter that you got from me. The devil chose you. I’m sure you know that Indigo is about to commit the same mistake that the others committed. I have high hopes on you though. I know you will be able to pin point the devil. It will be just the two of you left on this plane, so it is simple, isn't it?
The choice is yours!
excellent ... At the end, its just me and the devil or is it the devil and O ?!! ;) :)..
ReplyDeletecool story ! You raise the bar on expectations with each attempt.