The Big Mirror by Paul Bowles

Author:Paul Bowles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

Ali had not gone very far before he overtook a funeral procession. The murdered neighbor was being carried to the cemetery.

Catching sight of the man’s brother, Ali began to walk beside him.

Thank you for lending me this, he said, handing him the razor.

They walked along with the procession.

The body on the litter was wrapped in a length of white muslin. Here and there Ali could see blood slowly staining the cloth. The sight made his head swim and his heart leap ahead.

The people passed into the cemetery and the bearers set the litter on the ground. A moment later the body was lowered into the grave.

Earth was shoveled over it, the tolba chanted, and finally everyone went away. Ali, however, slipped off and contrived to stay behind in the cemetery after they had gone.

He went to the grave and sat staring at it, silent and motionless. The birds in the trees sang for a while.

Night fell, and an owl flew down and lighted among the graves. From time to time it cried out. Frogs began to croak not far away. The sky grew very bright and the moon rose, perfectly full.

At length, his heart pounding, Ali took up a shovel and set to work digging up the earth that covered the body. The owl was startled and flew off.

When he had uncovered the corpse, he quickly pulled away all the cloth that was wrapped around it. Much of it was soaked with blood. Then he saw the slash across the man’s throat from one ear to the other, shining in the moonlight.

He shoveled the earth back over the body, rolled up the length of cloth, stuffed it under his arm, and walked out of the graveyard.

When he got home he found Rachida sitting with her mother and the neighbor woman. Where have you been all this time? they demanded.

Living with white and red, he said, looking at Rachida. With red and white.

Rachida opened her eyes wide. Allah! Allah! she cried. I already feel better, just seeing you come in. Tell me everything.

Later. I want to eat now.

When the meal was over, Rachida’s mother said: Now I really must go home.

At this hour, Mother? No. Stay and sleep here.

Ali spoke up. Yes. Go and sleep in the other room.

The two women looked at each other and shrugged. They said good-night and went into their room, bolting the door firmly. And they continued to stare at each other.

What can we do? said Rachida’s mother finally. We need sleep badly, and those two maniacs are out there. What are they saying, and what are they planning to do?

The other woman yawned. The best thing is to go to sleep.

When they had been alone for a few minutes, Ali turned to Rachida. Get up. Come into the sala. I have something interesting to show you.

Rachida followed him into the ballroom and he shut the door. After he had lighted the candles, he tossed her the cloth. She unfolded it to examine the great stains of blood, and spread it out on top of the rug.

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