We aren’t regulars on the Mumbai Metro; but we hopped on it one fine day to save time. Ironically, it was to avoid the nightmarish traffic caused by multiple Metro line projects. We boarded at Andheri where we chanced upon a bookstore. Out of habit, we picked up two books, which, going by the MRP, should have cost roughly Rs 600. The storekeeper asked for Rs 200. We were puzzled. He pointed at the placard that read “Rs 100, any book”.

We quickly flipped through the book expecting it to be a second-hand copy. It had the unmistakable whiff of freshly printed ink. Since we were in a rush, we paid and left, promising ourselves a leisurely date later.