Gautam Nadkarni

Beating A Retreat

Ever since I was so high I had been listening to the Beatles. It came as a surprise to me therefore that they were human. I mean only a god could sing "Desmond has a barrow in the marketplace." But the fat kid on the second floor was adamant. They were definitely flesh and blood. I could have killed him.

Everybody emulates their god and I was no exception. What Dad objected to was my emulating them in such a loud and off-key voice. While taking a shower. But then he never had an ear for music.

Uncle bought me Beatles’ shoes and assorted other Beatles’ things. But I stopped there. I had an uneasy feeling that a Beatles’ haircut wouldn’t be a huge success at school. Father Percy was such a prude.

second coming...
the bald man lets his hair down
at the discotheque