I'm a Master in India

"I remember you and Lena went to Bollywood less than a month ago. Did something happen so quickly?"

"Ron, it's amazing there, simply beyond imagination!"

"Sounds like a good thing?"

"I'm not sure," Mary shrugged. "So I wanted to ask you about it."

"I happen to have time right now." Ron turned his head and snapped his fingers. "Grant, bring me a beer!"

After the beer arrived, the two clinked glasses, and Mary began to talk about the real matter.

"Ron, you should go to Bollywood and take a look. You'll be amazed! Dozens of movies start filming there every day. It's even crazier than Hollywood."

"So you and Lena successfully broke in and acted in a movie?"

"It's actually very easy for foreigners to get a shot in Bollywood. Those crews have that need, and they often struggle to find foreigners to play roles in their movies.

You know, like people in discos or parties, or British people during the British colonial rule, all similar roles. So... I thought of you."

"Oh!" Ron's eyes lit up. "Indians like to see foreigners in Bollywood movies, and it would be even better if they could beat them up or make them submit."

"That's right! Almost every movie needs white faces. You know what I mean, Ron?"

"I understand too well!" Ron's eyes began to frequently scan the group of chattering foreign students in front of him.

"I've inquired," Mary whispered, leaning close to his ear. "For such extras, the crew is willing to call a taxi to take them to the set and then take them back after they're done.

Lunch is provided during breaks, and the pay is about three thousand rupees per person per day. In addition, there's a commission based on the number of people, and it's settled on the spot!"

"What do you think of these students?" Ron was calculating rapidly.

Mary looked back. "Perfect! Purebred British people, but how much are you planning to pay them?"

"Pay? What pay?" Ron stood up, feigning ignorance. "Hey! Students, look here. There's a very good and meaningful activity now!"

"What?" Everyone looked over curiously.

"Is anyone interested in making a movie? Bollywood movies, the type of films Indians love to watch!"

Making a movie? Wow! These young men and women instantly became excited.

"Can we make a movie? What do we need to do?"

"You don't need to do anything, just obediently follow the director's arrangements. Of course, if you want a shot or say a few lines, you may need to pay a little insignificant activity fee."

"That's so cool! I want to participate in this activity!"

"100 pounds per person, limited spots, first come, first served! By the way, Mary, how many people do you want?" Ron turned his head and asked.

"Uh... nine, five girls, four boys."

"OK, those interested, sign up with me here. We're going to make a big splash in Bollywood before we leave!"

"Sir, pick me! I've studied acting!", "I can dance!", "I can do stand-up!"

Watching the students excitedly waving their hundred-pound notes, Mary, who was watching the fun on the sidelines, was completely stunned.

This profiteer is making money from both sides! 100 pounds can be exchanged for 4500 rupees, which is higher than the crew's pay!

Yet these young people are scrambling to pay for the performance! This is too crazy!

The Indians are indeed born scammers. With a few words of deception, the stripped sheep willingly jump onto the chopping board.

...

Ron arranged for these students' extra roles on the last day of their trip to Mumbai.

They had seen what they needed to see and played what they needed to play, so they had one day left to experience Bollywood, this reserved program.

It was still that bus, and the nine selected students were brought over at once. The remaining students were taken to the market to spend money by Anand and the others.

Ron had inquired before coming, and these students' roles only had one or two shots, some without even a line, so half a day was more than enough.

The distance from their Indian hostel to Bollywood in the northwest suburbs was not short, and the further north they went, the more remote the area became.

That location was even further north than Mumbai Airport, with rolling hills and dense forests all the way.

Fortunately, the Bollywood film base was relatively close to Juhu Beach, which was one of the few places in Mumbai with decent beach scenery.

As the bus turned into the last coastal bend, the wide horizon and the dark, trembling sea rushed towards them.

There were many restaurants here, and Ron quickly found Mary's figure. She was wearing a light white shirt, with the collar turned up, and the same white pants.

"Hi, Ron." She smiled and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "You're just in time."

"That's right, these young guys behind me are starving." Ron gestured, and the students cheered and entered the restaurant.

At this moment, a young woman walked towards them in the distance. She had a fashionable Western-style short haircut, wearing low-waisted jeans and a tight red T-shirt. Her skin was a healthy wheat color, and she was holding a clipboard, probably twenty-five or six years old.

"Hello," Ron took the initiative to ask when Mary introduced them to each other. "Are those broadcasting vans and cables outside your equipment? Is it an outdoor scene today?"

"It should be," her English had a Mumbai accent, which sounded very pleasant. "The director and a dancer from the crew slipped away somewhere, and no one should know.

But now the whole damn crew is gossiping about it, and we have half an hour to rest. But honestly, I heard that guy probably only needs five minutes."

"Very good, then shall we chat at the restaurant next door?" Ron tilted his head towards an upscale restaurant.

"Forget your lunch, let's have some fun first." Mina objected. "Do you have any weed on you?"

"I don't carry that stuff, but I have cigarettes." Ron always kept a pack of high-end cigarettes on him.

"That'll do, I can add some stuff myself." Mina led them to the parking lot and got into her brand-new Fiat car.

While adding stuff to the cigarettes, she introduced herself as the assistant producer for the movie outside and several other movies, one of her jobs being to find actors for small roles in the movies.

She subcontracted this job to a casting agent, but that agent couldn't find the right people.

"Mina mentioned this at dinner last week, her people couldn't find foreigners to play roles in the movies, and then I thought of you," Mary added from behind.

"It's great that you can find us white people." Mina flirtatiously winked at Ron. "Mary should have told you about the pay, as for what you pay them, it's up to you.

Actually, many foreigners are happy to perform for free, and you know what? They're very surprised when we actually pay them."

"How about it?" Mary's rose-colored eyes bloomed in the smoke.

"Of course, no problem, I have countless foreign resources in my hands."

This wasn't just about the pay. Through Mina, Ron could also get in touch with producers. They were a group of very wealthy people who often flew abroad and sometimes needed to exchange money on the black market.

In addition, Ron also knew that finding actors was important to Mary and Lena. For that reason alone, he was happy to help.

"Very good," Mina opened the car door, put on her sunglasses. "The young people you brought are in my hands, and I guarantee they'll be returned as they were after the job is done. If anything happens, you can find me by following those cables. We'll have a great time, you and I."

Mina left in a hurry, and Ron and Mary went to a nearby restaurant. They had to wait for Lena and then have a good talk about this business.