The White Tiger

Balram addresses Premier Wen Jiabao, discussing how the poor labor to physically resemble the rich in weight; the rich, having gained weight, attempt to grow thin, emulating the poor. Describing these aspirations, Balram notes that Delhi lacks proper planning in wealthier compounds, as the only place where rich people can walk is on sidewalks in their complexes. Servants wait on their employers as they walk, with bottled water at the ready.

Balram sees “Vitiligo-Lips” and asks the old driver how much a blonde sex worker’s services would cost, telling him that Ashok wants to hire one. Directly addressing Jiabao, Balram outlines four ways in which servants can steal from their employers, from siphoning fuel to overcharging for unnecessary car repairs. He himself engages in these activities to save money for a blonde sex worker.

At a hotel, the clerk charges Balram more than “Vitiligo-Lips” quoted, an extra charge for being poor. As Balram attempts to have sex with a blonde sex worker, he notices her hair is dyed, and hits her before grappling with the manager outside the door. Thrown out, Balram takes the bus back to his room, where he finds Ashok in a lotus pose on his bed. Telling Balram that the rich in India have lost their way, he asks Balram to take him to buy authentic food.