Using Life by Ahmed Naji

Author:Ahmed Naji [Naji, Ahmed]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Center for Middle Eastern Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
Published: 2017-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

REVENGE HAS NO PLACE IN MODERN LIFE (1)

The Society had no official headquarters in Cairo. There were, however, several affiliated organizations, such as the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and the Green Youth Movement, who were able to lend them office space. They could also reserve entire restaurants, like Taboula, for their meetings, or even hold emergency gatherings at the base of the pyramids. If need be, they would all sit naked together in a Jacuzzi, or have a plane fly them in circles over the city. They could, if they wanted, meet in any one of these places. But, whether because of the sensitive nature of the matters to be discussed, or the potential gravity of events to come, or even disagreements among the twenty-one members of the High Administrative Council, it had been decided that their meeting should be held in Ihab Hassan’s little apartment on Adly Street.

They arrived in small groups, and were put up in accommodations that differed according to their tastes. Architect Uzami Murakama (Japan) and nutritional expert Samara Khan (Indonesia) chose the Marriott Hotel in Zamalek. Professor of urban planning Dr. Hanna Isa (Lebanon; the United States) and Jean Rashid, the agricultural expert, along with his partner, Vivian, professor of interior design (France), all chose the Grand Hyatt in the middle of the Nile. Mr. Kim Young, lecturer in military affairs (South Korea; the United States), traveling with Mr. Gonzo Smith, restaurateur and professor of ancient magic (the United States), chose the Ramses Hilton, as did Lars Jacob, professor of graphic design (Denmark), Mrs. Teresa Pepa, the renowned architect (Italy), and Nicolai Brasso, professor of ancient languages (Italy).

Meanwhile, the Hotel Amin in Bab al-Louq was to host Mr. Xia Chin Lin, expert in security systems and nuclear reactor management (China), the famed writer Su Tung (China), and writer and literary critic Pankaj Mishra (India). The historian Gilberto Freyre (Brazil) chose the Conrad Hotel on the Nile. Salif Kali (Mali), specialist in rural medicine, as well as violinist Karin Boye (Sweden), the visual artist and professor of psychology Herbert Grönemeyer (Germany), and businessman and professional magician Ahmad Faheem (Egypt) all chose the Semiramis Hotel. Arms dealer Yuri Shevchuk (Serbia; England) and the specialist in Arab magic Jameela Aal Saud (Saudi Arabia, of course) both chose the Sheraton in Dokki. Finally, Paprika, architect and specialist in modern magic (Austria; Japan; the Philippines), had a private apartment in Zamalek, and Ihab Hassan, professor of literature and current president of the Administrative Council, had his little place on Adly Street. Also attending the meeting would be Madam Dolet, and Reem, who was Paprika’s assistant.

As per the Society’s normal operating procedures, the meeting’s participants did not arrive at any binding decision. Rather than voting on a particular policy, each member would cast a secret ballot to express personal support for that member who had first suggested the policy, and then conduct sideline negotiations with said member to determine exactly what kind of support might be needed. Those who refused

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