Two weeks later, the actor’s body was found near the Mithi River. The police closed the case in six hours. Cause of death: “Accidental drowning while intoxicated.”

Disgusting, he thought. They don’t even know they are NPCs.

By 8:00 AM, Rohit was in his matte-black Mercedes Maybach, stuck on the Western Express Highway. He stared at a family of four on a scooty—the father’s cheap helmet, the mother’s faded dupatta flapping in the polluted wind.

Because the constable recognized Rohit’s car. The ACP owed Rohit’s father a favor. And the local politician needed Rohit’s “donation” for the Ganpati festival.

His job was "Vice President of Synergy" at a shadowy wealth management firm in BKC. In reality, he moved money for politicians, diverted funds from infrastructure projects, and crushed start-ups for sport. His colleagues were indistinguishable from him: Same Sabyasachi sarees for the women, same Audemars Piguet watches, same performative rage about “dharma” and “start-up culture.”

He met Vikram, his rival, for a “collaboration coffee.” “Rohit, beta,” Vikram smiled, showing teeth too white to be real. “The Nariman Point deal. I heard you botched the GST evasion.” Rohit laughed. It was a sound devoid of warmth, like a metal chair scraping a tile floor. “Vikram. Your tie is a knock-off. And your wife is sleeping with your yoga trainer.” Vikram’s face crumbled. Rohit felt nothing. He noted the crumble. Interesting. Humans break easily.

He picked up his phone. “Dimple? Yes. Book the private jet. I want to kill a yak in Mongolia. I’ve heard the texture is exquisite.”

Rohit Malhotra was not insane. Because in his world, insanity was just a business strategy with a better PR team.