laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

William entered the cafe; the room was illuminated by oil lamps hanging from several points on the ceiling. William gave the room a tactical once over noting locations of doors and windows. He noticed as he did this that there were no tables or chairs only large pillows and a table top just eight or so inches off of the floor. The other customers were reclining on the pillows around the tables. William chose a set that allowed him to have his back to the wall.A few moments after he sat down a young man approached the table and attempted to speak in his gibberish.William interrupted gruffly,"Raja."

A smile brightened the waiter's face, "Yes, I am Raja."

"The old man across the street sent me here," William replied.

"Yes, that is my father. He..."

William cut him off. "Water and what ever the house dish is."

"Yes, Sahib." He turned and headed off.

William was more than aware that almost all eyes in the cafe were on him. Some of the customers pointed and whispered but he truly cared less what these people thought.

A few minutes later Raja returned with a platter. On it was a pitcher of water, a goblet, a bowl containing meat and vegetables and a plate of what William guessed was bread,it was flat and thin. Raja placed the items on the table. "Will there be anything else, Sahib?"

"No."

"Well, if you need anything just call out my name." Raja replied with that same idiotic smile William noticed earlier.

William took a whiff of the meat curry powder; it was used in abundance. William was introduced to curry by Sir Gunner. The memory of that made him smile. He took a bite. Sir Gunner would have approved. William recalled that Sir Gunner had told him that after a few minutes your taste buds go numb, thank Arhus that was true. William took his time finishing the meal. As he was using the last bit of his bread to soak up the juice in the bowl, Raja stepped up and placed another plate on the table and took the other plates away. The new offering was a flaky brown pastry with nuts in it. Willaim enjoyed it immensely.

Raja returned with a second portion. "I noticed you seemed to like the baclava." He placed the plate on the table.

William's response was a soft "Yeah." After he finished that second pastry, William called out, "Raja."

The young man appeared quickly. "Yes, Sahib, how may I serve you?"

"I need the bill," William replied.

Raja said, "There is no bill, Sahib."

William snapped, "What do you mean 'There is no bill?'"

Raja, still smiling, replied, "Did Sahib notice the large man who left a few moments before you called?"

"Yeah, what about him?" William's voice reflected his growing irritation.

"He paid your bill," Raja informed him.

"Why?"

"Well, Sahib,he told me he had never seen a foreigner make it past the first bite of curry goat, let alone finish the meal. You impressed him, Sahib."

"Did you just say'curry goat.'"

"YES! That is the house specialty."

William did not respond. He simply got up and walked out in to the busy street. Raja's voice followed him, "May the True One bless you."

William judged he had a hour more to wait so he wandered the market. At noon he returned to Ali's shop. Ali was standing outside holding the reins of a pack mule. Next to him was a pile of supplies. With a smile Ali asked, "Did Sahib enjoy his meal?"

William responded, "Did you get everything?"

"Oh yes, Sahib, please check it!"

William did and found everything and a few items he had not asked for. When he inquired about them Ali was quick to explain that they were items he would need if traveling in the desert. William forced a thank you. At which point, Ali clapped his hands and two boys came from inside the shop and began to load the mule with the supplies. William handed Ali six gold.

"No, Sahib, there is no extra charge; I said five gold and five gold it is."

"Fine. Consider it payment for directions. How do I get to the east gate?"

Ali stepped out into the street and pointed down the road. "Go to the intersection and turn right. Keep going straight. You can not miss it and may the True One bless your journey." Again, William begrudgingly muttered a thank you.

Thirty minutes later he was facing a sea as vast as the one he had just left but this was a sea of sand.

He felt very alone.