Blotchy Tickets

Post job one thing that has given me immense pleasure and satisfaction is the fact that now I don't have to think twice before I want to buy a new book, go out and eat at some nice, fancy place or lately go out and watch plays. I can afford to freely indulge in such luxuries.
But does that mean I should be duped of my hard earned money only because I have money now.
Or is it less about me and more about you that once you become a brand you do cash on your name.

#Courtmartial by #Asmitatheatre was a brilliant performance, one that made my head heavy for days and definitely would stay with me for years if not more. But it isn't just the performances or the play itself that would stay with me but also the fact that I paid 300 bucks for a 200 rupee ticket and a big black blotch covering the price.

So, this weekend when I went to watch this celebrated and popular play by #Asmitatheatre the fact that the play was sold out an hour before the scheduled time was something that set my hopes high, but the effort that I had to put in to bear the heat and the humidity while in the queue even after the scheduled time brought them back to their place. They really need to work on their performances being on time (I am a teacher so don't doubt me with my patience, this was their second time with me). The excitement still persisted, after having watched them a couple of times, I knew I was in for something good. Who knew my excitement was short lived. When I entered the dimly lit auditorium to look for my seat (in rows E to F) I was abruptly stopped bu their students cum volunteers cum ushers and asked to sit way beyond the rows mentioned. My stars flickered when another student came to usher me to row E and F and gesture the other to be careful with the tickets. Not all pista coloured tickets were for the last seats. Some had paid 300 hundred for those pista coloured 200 rupee tickets so deserved to sit in the middle if not at the back.
Why did they do that? Why did they charge me 300 for a 200 rupee ticket? Why did they stop me from going to the front when I had bought the most expensive ticket available. I too could have grabbed the front row tickets just like those aunties who stood ahead of me in the queue (my friends deemed me talented enough to do so)? Why did my ticket carry the blotch? Why did it mention only row E to F? Why were those theatre students lined up (way too many ushers and hooters and people to welcome you and to thank you I tell you)? Why? Why? Why? No Arnab Goswami show would raise these questions but only someone from the audience would.

The optimist in me wants to give them a benefit of doubt. I want to believe that by mistake they got lesser number of white tickets printed and had to manage with those pista ones, would want to believe I wasn't cheated. But this blotchy ticket breaks my heart. I wish I could speak to anyone from that line of students standing outside the auditorium. I wish I could share my grief, probably this is what they were standing for, offer their shoulders to all who felt agrieved.

Probably next time if I ever go, if I ever go, I would like to carry this ticket and see if they really break my heart or what!