Another dry cleaning shop has opened on the parade. It's part of a large chain. The manager, a Punjabi, offers swingeing discounts. "Your second item free. Half price discount for all items brought in before 9.00 am."
Such pricing is not sustainable. It's an attempt to drive Sanjay out of business, backed up by the stability of the chain. They are relying on his other losses to pull him down. When the Punjabi, sleek with his mobile phone, passes Sanjay in the street, the man grins.
So Sanjay washes his own windows, hoovers his own floors and racks his brains. He sees the faces of the staff he might have to let go, in the security shop or pharmacy.
Can he offer customers something else? Loyalty vouchers? Personal delivery? He sees himself carrying hangers in plastic bags, running up office stairs.