When the 'Twain Go Trysting ...

"I have no clue what I'm supposed to do, but let me at least try to look as tough and busy as him!"

Big-Shot visitors from Bigger-Shot nations choosing to put Chennai on their must-visit list.

Nice.

That sense of playing in the Big League – So gratifying!

Even better – the delightful little through-the-looking-glass moments that spring up at such meetings when worlds collide.

Like – on one hand, hard-jawed, tough-looking guys in black, with spiral wires dangling from their ears, obsidian glasses darting laser-like all over.

On the other, our own ‘tough guys’, equally keen...okay, not all of them sport the lean-mean-machine look. And yes, they sometimes get distracted by dignitaries...but hey, we don’t need no lessons from nobody.

But what’s with some of those men-in-black and that perennial hand-tucked-in-coat gesture?

Napoleon complex?

Little worrying – this hint of constant edginess.

Our audiences are noisy; cell phones blare; sometimes, banners come unpinned and waft to the ground ... and the ubiquitous mike checker will go: ‘ullo-‘ullo-‘ullo-(Squeeekkk)-miketestingmiketesting...uh-wontwothree...(Screeech)...

The last thing you want is some clueless, jumpy ‘Them’ going all Gunfight at O.K. Corral.

They need lessons.

Like: On the sub-continent, always expect the unexpected... and make ‘simply adjust’ your motto.

Know something?

The Man was wrong – the ‘Twain do meet these days.

And perhaps the world’s a better place for it.