The Offer, Revised · The Salt Road · Pulse Beat
He did not leave. He did something cleverer: he changed the offer. "Let us be practical," said Mr Sethi, folding his hands. "A court case will cost your family years. My company would rather settle…
He did not leave. He did something cleverer: he changed the offer.
"Let us be practical," said Mr Sethi, folding his hands. "A court case will cost your family years. My company would rather settle. We will buy the claim: the right to the land, whatever it is, from your father, and take on the legal risk ourselves. Eighty percent of the original price."
"Eighty," said Jayesh, under his breath. It was still more than he had ever seen.
"And the pans?" said Mohan.
"Will close at the end of the year." Mr Sethi shrugged, almost kindly. "I'm sorry. Salt is finished in Kutch. Not today, not next year, but it is. You know it as well as I do."
Dhanji, in his chair, had been silent for the whole conversation. Now he lifted his head. Slowly, painfully, he said, "The women."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Forty women work these pans. If it closes, where do they go?" He looked straight at Mr Sethi. "Will your plant give them work?"
There was a very short pause. "I'm not authorised to say."
"Then no," said Dhanji, and closed his eyes. "Not yet."