The IF has been replaced with WHO which has given way to WHEN and now that the WHEN has been tackled, its is the HOW that is bothering us.

The other day I saw Rufus  fretting  and  letting his meal go untasted. "Are you worrying about how to get to the airport too ?"

" Naturally. Anyone  with  half a mind would fret. It's the biggest worry. Second only to the threat of HDK doing a phoenix number on us."

"Look on the bright side Ruffie,"  I said, "they built the airport didn't they…..in the time frame  `committed’ to.. That’s something."

"Ha...We'll know if it’s true only by March."

"Are you saying that there is no such thing and it’s all media hype?"

"All I am saying is seeing is  believing.  I am not as gullible as some people around here."

"If  you are that sceptical, why don't you go over and check it out. They are inviting people for trials."

At which he perked up his ears,  "You mean they are offering free trial flights."

"I don't know about flights but they want people to go through check-in and  security and identify-your-bags rigmarole to time it. After all, they are expecting zillions of passengers to be processed through."

"I", he said, drawing himself to his full height of two-and-a-half-ft, "do not want to be processed as if I were sausage meat. But, if they will give me a  free trial flight to  Paris I may go."

"Maybe. They are also inviting airlines to land and takeoff to test the runways and ground control."

" .I always knew you wanted to get rid of me…..you want me to be a guinea pig and crash in case the  chappie at ground control has had one drink too many to celebrate  his new job."

"Oh, don't be stupid! You are the one who wanted to go to Paris on a trial flight to meet that silly Fifi poodle you used to know."

"Right now we are not discussing my love life, if you  please. Does this  airport  have special lines for dogs? What are the facilities they've  put in for globetrotters like me?"

"Maybe they have a few clean cages with seats that recline into beds  and  individual videoscreens displaying Mr  Mallya like Mr  Mallya's airline does …who knows."

"What about a canine lounge with  snacks and a pedicurist on call and  maybe a couple of cats to chase  to get the circulation going?"

 "Just because it is a state-of-the-art airport doesn't mean it’s turning into a canine haven."

 "I am expecting it to have special toilets with trees in them, lounges,  shopping arcades and  a overnight canine hotel with steam, sauna, gym and pool."

"You are welcome to go check it out.. Just be sure to take a  couple of hundred diapers along. And yes, enough food and drink to last you a  month and maybe a couple of soduko books  to keep you occupied."

"Fifi will take me shopping. I will buy it all in Paris."

"Sure you can. But what about the month you will take to get to the airport?’’