perversion is so well known he no longer
Chapters 6-9 Chapters 6-9 Summary As happens regularly, Kirsha prepares to go out and indulge his passions. Dressed in black and leaning on a stick, he moves slowly and heavily. He normally does his narcotics peddling after dark. The government allows wine, which God forbids, but suppresses hashish, which God allows. Kirsha’s heart beats fast as he considers new erotic adventures. As he walks along the streets, mistrusting the greetings he receives, he is hopeful. He stops at a shop near al-Azhar and approaches a handsome young salesman, who realizes this is Kirsha’s third recent visit. He wraps a dozen pair.
Kirsha lurks in shadows on the other side of the street, burning with excitement and apprehension as he watches the windows. When the shop closes, Kirsha follows the youth, catches him, and makes small talk. Life is a trial with few rewards, Kirsha says; patience is the key to joy and God provides merciful people. Kirsha refrains from claiming he is one. The youth is hurrying to change clothes and go to Ramadan Café, but Kirsha insists he visit his café. He hesitates but then promises. They shake hands and part.
The only light in Midaq Alley comes from Kirsha’s Café. Inside it is warm, the radio is ignored, and Sanker is busy. Kirsha assumes his position at the till, avoiding people’s looks. Kamil’s shroud is the topic of the evening, and Abbas’s plans to work for the British Army. Hussainy talks long-winded about boredom being disbelief in God’s gift of life, evil souls polluting the beauty of life, pain bringing joy, despair holding pleasure, and death teaching a lesson. God is a refuge from the devil. Love defeats tragedy and happiness instills the wisdom of love. People are always amazed that this paragon of gentleness is a tyrant with his wife. This is typical of his class and era and she is proud of him and content with her life. Kirsha, whose perversion is so well known he no longer hides it, watches impatiently for his new friend. He enjoys creating scandal after scandal. Booshy sees the signs. Darwish recites two lines of ancient poetry about a woman’s invaluable love. Kirsha smiles as the innocent-eyed lad appears.
Jaada and Husniya’s bakery is next door to Kirsha’s Café. Attached behind it is a grimy, stinking outbuilding. Its floor is strewn with garbage and a long shelf holds filthy bottles, instruments, and bandages. The tenant is as filthy as the room. Zaita is unforgettably thin and uniformly black, except for the terrifying white of his eyes. Zaita has nothing to do with the alley, but his trade is known: he cripples people who wish to optimize their success as street beggars. Born in a family of beggars, he learns “makeup” in a traveling circus.
Daytimes Zaita eavesdrops on the bakers, enjoys watching “full-bodied” Husniya beat Jaada, and later coyly seduce him. Zaita detests and envies Jaada, and imagines throwing hatchets at him. Scorned for his filthiness and stench, Zaita imagines torturing all his neighbors: running Alwan over with a steamroller, burning Hussainy in an oven,
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