Peeping Tom.

It is a common sight; in air-conditioned chair Cars of any intercity trains, to see some commuters bring in Lap-tops and some others note-books/tablets.

Few of the Lap-top wallahs’s, plug-in and hammer away their keyboard. It would make one wonder if their very existence depended on it.

The Lap-top wallah’s would set the laptop on the food tray for their convenience. The inconvenience caused to fellow traveller's, seated in the aisle and window seats is of no concern, to them. This is office on wheels for you.

The Note-book/Tablet wallah’s play games for a while. After some time, both the creed would start viewing, stored or down loaded movies. One that can be agreed upon is that – they come well prepared for such occasions. Now we have movie theatres on wheels!

Serious family dramas clash with English action movies. Songs clashing with the music score of 3D movie avatar or some such kind. Dialogues from Indian movies mix with dialogues of English films. Oh! What a wonderful way to bring together East and West.

According to the activities, the passengers on board the train can be grouped as (1) seasoned (2) serious and (3) curious.

Among the former type there exists a demarcation: some run offices and movie theatres, the rest simply ignore the happenings.

The passengers in the next category mind their own business of chitchatting, reading or simply sleeping off. The sound mixing does not have any effect on them.

The last mentioned type is like a super hero in a blockbuster movie. However, in this type there exists a further classification- super hero (SH) type and the curious fans who note every thing the hero does.

Whether SH wants it or not, he gets unwanted attention from the fans. One wonders if SH is aware of the piercing eyes of his fans from side and back row a seat is a question.

Now let us see why and what for there is this special attention. The super hero cranes his neck, slides sideways, sits erect and then unwinds himself. The objective appears to be the monitor in the immediate front row or in the aisle seat- two rows in front and slightly across from him.

This self positioning would go on till the time the movie gets finished or the monitor wallah closes shop, preparing to get down at the train stop coming up. If any other movie hall is functioning the hero would strain and strive to establish eye contact with that monitor.

If unsuccessful, then he might try to read a news paper or a magazine held by a co-passenger.

Oh! I forgot to tell you, using their super powers, some of them try to read others’ news paper with or without permission.

If they get permission they read it right royally, if not repeat the antics of the movie watcher.

I know you have a puzzling question in your mind – to what type do I belong? Read the text again and find that you are also a partner in this crime of watching people with out their knowledge!

To keep our conscience clear let us call ourselves “keen observers”

Is it okay with you?