Me: Ah, where'd you boys land these soft drinks?

Nilay: His dad is an invitee at the VIP section. So he got them.

Me, addressing the kid Nilay had befriended at the other festival (you must keep up and read all my posts): Oh nice. VIP. What does your father do?

Him (nonchalantly): He is a writer.

Me: What's his name. Perhaps I've read his work.

Him: Vivek Menezes.

Me: Oh wow. Oh really. I must assure you that I'm totally not a fan boy. I just read all his articles in The Scroll. Would you, perhaps, introduce me to him.

It was at this point that Nilay started walking me away.

Me: You must visit us at home. Now that you boys have Christmas holidays. Or perhaps Nilay can visit you.

Nilay: He is catholic, dad. He has Christmas things to do.

And then the boy's mother showed up and said something, which I'm sure was about not speaking to strangers.

Sigh.