The Dreams

Dream 169

I paused with the foreign general manager watching the wedding, with women ululating joyfully and men pounding drums. He walked with me to his office, asking about this racket that undoubtedly irritated the tourist guests.

“This is the traditional Egyptian wedding, one of the failsafe money-makers for the hotel,” I told him.

But he answered, “The contract stipulates there will be no disturbances.”

“I cannot deliver that,” I replied.

He retorted in fury, “This is an order — you must carry it out.”

Immediately I went to the Central Administration, and presented the matter to the director. “This foreigner’s knowledge and experience have helped us a lot,” he declared. “So you reach agreement with him, on his terms — or you quit.”

At this, I went out, my destiny in doubt.