Before the Rains

Sahib, we will have to change course again.

This is going to be the damnedest...

crookedest road in the crown.

Oh, definitely. But it will be here after the monsoon.

A straight road will slide away.

I think we'll have to name this road after you, T.K.

Neelan Road. How does that sound?

Quite good.

Today tea, tomorrow cinnamon.

- Pepper. - Cardamom.

That's for you, T.K.

A gift.

For me, sahib?

Thank you.

Thank you, sahib.

Good afternoon.

- What's this? - I have bad news.

Oh, dear.

We're out of honey.

Well, we'll have to remedy this at once.

I love cows.

# I'm an old cowhand #

# From the Rio Grande #

- # But my legs ain't bowed # - Don't like that song.

- # And my cheeks ain't tan # - I don't like it.

# I'm a cowboy who never saw a cow #

# Never roped a steer 'cause I don't know how, come on #

# Sure ain't a-fixin' to start in now #

# Oh, yippy-yi-oh-kayay #

# Yippy-yi-oh-kayay #

No. Be careful.

More inside.

Inside.

I think they like the pale skin.

Yeah.

When we are born, it's like this.

That's when the lines are formed.

This, this and this.

And all this.

For everyone it's different.

And then our lines cross each other. Like this.

That is our destiny.

See?

And when we live...

it tries to get everything...

all that it wants in the world...

to hold it and keep it tight.

And when we leave the world...

it's all gone.

It's finally open.

What was that?

Let's go.

How did we do today, T.K.? Do we have enough men?

There are so many men eager to work.

They're calling it "The Road to the Sky."

Well, I hope you told them that we're going to be naming it after you.

Sajani.

Sajani, you shouldn't be walking home alone this late.

It'll be too dark. T.K. will drive you back to the village.

If that's all right with you, T.K.

Why did Moores ask me to drive you home?

How would I know?

Sajani.

It's none of your concern.

You can let me go now.

My English not very good.

Maybe you should practice more.

You bought it?

It was a gift.

From the sahib?

I visit everyone in family,

see what they have and then decide where to have dinner.

Tonight, Rajat says my sister is making avil.

I'll go home.

How are you?

Good.

Good.

Not good.

T.K., come.

Join me for a drink.

Thank you.

To our new road.

To the prosperity it will bring...

and to us...

men of the future.

Men of the future.

Thank you for taking Sajani back.

It was no trouble.

How are things in the village?

The village is the village. Nothing ever changes.

All quiet, then?

Yes, sahib... Quiet.

Good.

The ferry gets in at three. I'll be out well before then.

Sahib...

Good luck.

Shall we?

Good morning, Charles.

Henry, Henry!

- How goes the battle? - We're in good shape.

Workers are all assembled...

- and we're ready to start. - Good, good.

Now, you're absolutely certain you want to do this?

Building a private road is an enormous risk, you know.

The people at my bank won't bat an eyelid...

about taking away your house and your plantation.

What are they saying about me at the bank?

They're saying you've been too long in the jungle.

I know what I'm doing, Charles.

But it's the timing, Henry. India's changing.

Raj or no Raj, the demand for spice will only continue to grow,

And you know that.

But how about the monsoon?

Are you sure your road will hold?

This road will hold.

- Hello. - Hello.

Neelan.

Ah, headmaster...

Headmaster?

You need not be so formal.

I was dismissed from the school months ago.

Oh, I... I had not heard. I'm sorry, sir.

You see, many of your schoolmates have joined in the cause.

An intelligent young man like you can make a difference.

You seem to be managing well without me, sir.

Your family has a lot of influence in your village.

The villages of India... without their help...

we have absolutely no hope of getting rid of the British.

And why should we be rid of them, sir?

Where was all this before they came?

With mutual cooperation comes mutual prosperity.

Something your sahib taught you?

I wonder if he believes it himself.

Shall we go in and ask him?

Partnership requires equals, Mr. Neelan.

Remember that.

Why don't you come by tomorrow?

We're having a ceremony of sorts to start the road.

You can see what we're doing.

- A ceremony? - Yes, stay for supper. We can celebrate.

- Sounds good to me, Henry. - I'll call you with the time.

- See you tomorrow, then. - See you then.

Bye.

- Peter! - Papa!

My word, you've grown.

Look, Mummy brought a bath.

A tub.

- Well done, old girl. - Better late than never.

- How was the trip? - Lovely. Everyone says hello.

Grandfather was simply wretched.

- Peter. - Well, he was.

He said Mummy and I should come and live in London...

until you make some decent money.

- Did he? Well, pish posh. - Indeed.

Still awaits my failure, does he?

With bated breath. Hell's bells, it's hot.

- Hello, T.K.! - Hello, Peter.

- Hello, T.K. - Hello, madam.

Did you take care of this one for me?

Yes, madam.

Then I am in your debt.

Ah, this one is for you.

- More books for you to devour. - Thank you, madam.

T.K., has Sajani made her payasam?

Oh, he's been going on about it since Southampton.

Well, perhaps you should ask her when you get home, hmm?

Yes, we should go.

The road goes all the way up to here.

All that way? All by yourself?

Well, with T.K.'s help.

Payasam!

Delicious.

- Thank you, Sajani. - Thank you, Sajani.

You're welcome.

But you simply must...

Madam's things have been unpacked and put away.

I've also called for the workers to put in the tub.

Sajani.

- They'll be here soon. - Sajani.

Will there be anything else, sahib?

Stop it, please. You've made your point.

What do you want me to do?

I know this isn't easy.

I've risked everything. My honor, my life.

- I know. - And what have you risked?

I love you.

You know that.

I want us to be together more than anything.

Everything will be all right.

- What is it? - Oh, I couldn't sleep, that's all.

You know Father renewed his offer.

I can pay for my own son's education.

- I know. - And anyway...

I don't think he should be going to Sherborne. It's a terrible school.

- I only mention it because you might... - When we finish building this road,

we'll be making more money than your father ever dreamed of.

I believe you.

Are you happy here?

Now that we have a tub.

I'm happy to be wherever you are.