The other day I was watching a show on Netflix. The first episode was all about the induction of new recruits to an elite force. The very first scene had each recruit walk out on a narrow metal beam—tethered to the beam for safety—sticking out of the top of a tall building.

Did I mention that it was raining while all this was happening? It was, and how!

Sitting safely in my living room, my knees turn to jelly just watching them perform the feats. Balancing on heights is definitely not my favourite activity. Neither is watching it on screen. What’s more, I still have nightmares about a singularly vivid nightmare I had of being stranded on narrow beam high above the ground while the world below me—in fact, the whole earth— was inundated with water.

But… that’s certainly not the point of this post. So let’s rewind, back to the recruits going through rigorous tests to gain membership into an elite unit.

After a few more different tests, three of them—or was it more?—officially made it into the force. Anyway, the next day we find the same three, mopping the floors of the corridor of the headquarters as part of their duty. After all, new recruits have to start at the bottom, right?

In the meantime the bigwigs are ensconced in a room discussing more important matters, like catching a baddie of whom fresh information has been received. Decisions needed to be taken about the when, where and who of the Operation Catch the Baddie to follow.

Three rookies, the ones still mopping the floors, can sense something big is afoot. Looks like they are going to leave now, says one about the senior ones. Let’s go and watch them, says another. All three hurry to the room where the bigwigs are bigwigging (I made that up!) and try to get a peek in through the slightly ajar door.

Needless to say, the hawk eyes of the biggest of the biggies catch them. What are you doing here, he wants to know. We have come to see our seniors go off on their mission, one of them offers. The magnanimous biggie biggest tells them to go stand in one corner and not utter a word.

The elated gang of three immediately hurry in and do as he says. The meeting goes on, decisions continue to be made on the how, where and when of the upcoming mission. Soon the chosen team walk to the waiting helicopters, all kitted, and are waved off by the eager beaver juniors.

Meanwhile I squirm in my seat. I have been brooding for a while over something now, something that just doesn’t seem right. My mind is not on the helicopters whirring and rising up, or the anticipated action, as I am sure, the makers of the show have intended.

It is on the unattended buckets and mops left in the corridor.

I turn to the L&M and tell him,

“They could at least have moved the mops and buckets to one side!”

“What?!!” asks the L&M bewildered and out of his depth at this sudden statement from me.

“They left the buckets and mops as is and walked off!” I explain patiently. “What if someone trips on them and falls?!!” I sniff in disapproval.

The L&M bursts out laughing.

©️ Shail Mohan 2026