“It’s quite the opposite with me,” the young man replied. “Everything concerns me; I think about everything…”

“Then I hope the world turns out as you wish.”

“Isn’t that better than sitting in the dark under Saad Zaghlul’s statue?”

“That’s fine as far as I’m concerned. Don’t bother about me.”

“You haven’t made up your mind to open your heart to me yet.”

“Why should I? Don’t you see that the whole world’s a bore?”

“I haven’t got time to be bored.”

“What are you doing then?”

“I make a joke of the troubles I used to have, and look ahead with a smile. I smile in spite of everything; so much that you might think I was mad.”

“What makes you smile?”

“Incredible dreams,” the young man replied in a still more earnest tone. “Let’s choose somewhere better to talk.”

“I’m sorry,” Isa replied quickly. “Actually I’ve already had two glasses of cognac and now I need some rest.”

“You want to sit in the dark under Saad Zaghlul’s statue,” the young man replied regretfully.

Isa did not say a word. The young man stood up to leave. “You don’t want to talk to me,” he said. “I shouldn’t pester you anymore.” He walked away in the direction of the city.

Isa watched him as he left. What an odd young man! I wonder what he’s doing now, he thought. Had those troubles really taken pity on him? Why was he looking ahead with a smile? He kept watching the young man till he reached the edge of the square. He had not meant him any harm after all. Why didn’t I encourage him to talk? Maybe I should ask him to help me overcome my boredom, even at this hour of the night. Our conversation might lead us into an adventure that would brighten up the night.

He saw the young man disappear in the direction of Safiyya Zaghlul Street. I could catch up with him, he thought, if I didn’t waste any more time hesitating. He jumped to his feet in a sudden drunken spurt of enthusiasm and started after the young man with long strides, leaving the seat behind him sunk in solitude and darkness.

NOTES

1. ’Ala Kaifak:   the name means “as you like” or “whatever you like,” and may have some symbolic significance—perhaps suggesting Isa’s nihilism.

2. Athenios:   a café-restaurant in Alexandria.

3. Al-Azarita:   a district of Alexandria, also known as Al-Mazarita.

4. bawwab:   doorman.

5. Bey:   title of respect for important men, from the Turkish; formerly the title of the governor of a small Ottoman province. Went out of official use in Egypt after the 1952 revolution, but continues as a polite mode of address and reference.

6. Camp Cesare:   a district of Alexandria.