"This is rather depressing..."
"Well, who were you to be fooled by the claims of the One with the Power. I mean, you know what our politics is like; it's about power that is highly concentrated, and into the person of one man or woman - I mean, we are one of those countries who even had power concentrations when we had democracy, and...."
"What are you talking about?"
"About the electoral victory of the Chosen One. I mean, I tell you that was a foregone conclusion, and besides, instead of moaning and groaning about our lack of democratic credentials, remember that Mian Sahib and BB were also extremely autocratic in their decisions...I even, heard of a story, where BB said it was up to her to decide on the person to head our Supreme Court. If the story is correct, she said she could even decide in favour of her peon!"
"I am not talking politics."
"Well, OK, if you want to be dismissive...."
"No, I am not being dismissive. I was actually talking about what sports story made it to the Press in these days of world-wide Olympic fever."
"We haven't won anything yet."
"Precisely."
"So, what has depressed you?"
"Well, while other countries are referring to the number of medals they have won, others are talking of how many they can win while we are talking of Rubab Raza, who became the first woman to swim for Pakistan at an Olympic Games."
"Ah, yes. But, what?"
"Bad, that one, if the maulanas find out."
"What's so bad about that? I mean, there is nothing anti-Islam about swimming, and...."
"It's what you wear when you swim. I think the maulanas would take that very personally."
"What do they want her to wear? A burqa in the pool!"
"Who knows what they want?"
"She wasn't from Peshawar, was she?"
"Don't be facetious."