And the winner is...

Citizen 1: When success, reward and recognition come together in one glorious paean to sheer talent and hard work, a sparkling moment affirming all that’s best in humanity is born.

“Woof...thanks...woof, woof !”

Citizen 2: Sure – for the winner.

C1 (bleakly): Thanks. That was like a false note at the end of a rousing trumpet call.

C2: Un-called for?

C1: Yes.

C2: Granted, but, come on, confess. Haven’t you wondered what those other nominees are thinking, in that split second after the winner is announced? Or watched their faces, hoping to catch them off-guard?

C1: Certainly not. I believe in the nobility of the human spirit.

C2: And I suppose it was nobility that made your foot trip me when I walked up to receive my trophy for ‘Best Show and Tell’?

C1: Don’t blame your goofiness on me. And all for a plastic bird on a plastic tree?

C2: Excuse me, it was a papier-mâché model of the Taj.

C1: Whatever. Apple-polisher.

C2: You big L.

C1: Oh? Gimme back my Phantom comics. It’s been 30 years.

C2: You return all my Amar Chitra Kathas first. They sweep away in opposite directions. Very sad. Hopefully, real stars are smarter. Hey, if you’re good enough to even be in that company, you’re special. Besides, there’s always next time.