Sudeep Chakravarti (born 1963) is the author of the bestselling debut novel Tin Fish, published in 2005. He has since had two more works published, both in 2008. Red Sun - Travels in Naxalite Country, a work of narrative non-fiction, is a critically acclaimed bestseller. Once Upon a Time in Aparanta is a satire set in the churn of present-day Goa. Chakravarti is also a columnist, professional futurist, and consultant to media. He lives in Goa, where he is engaged in writing his third novel, a second work of non-fiction, and setting up a marine conservation initiative. This is his first short story.
AND SO, to Sinbad's lair. The cocaine whores are already there when I arrive. Sinbad likes cocaine whores: boys and girls; and if they come by, in-betweens. Having them around fills his sails. It's a sickle moon tonight, and sickly, captured by streamers of cloud. Even with the moon largeand luminous, free in the sky, there is a curious space between the wrought iron gate and the verandah. This is a walk of only a dozen steps, a chessboard of velvet grass and granite that keeps at bay tentative rushes of palm, hibiscus and bird of paradise. Here, the light from the sharp gate lamps and bright rainbow souk-lanterns on the balcony, the laughter of the whores, the chink of glasses touching or the urgent sound of one breaking, are all muted. http://tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=hub100109house_house.asp
