A Twofold Tale

After finally getting a few hours of sleep, Ali wakes and sends a message to Yasser “Are you home? Can I come by?”

Yasser answers “It’s better not for you to be seen here. Meet me at the Almohades Citadel Tea room in an hour.”

He messages Yousef to get the car ready, tells him the destination, and leaves Scheherazade sleeping, gently kissing her forehead before heading out the door. The lack of sleep doesn’t faze him, the excitement of the moment driving him forward into action. “Sonofabitch Mahfoud! We’ll see who’ll come out on top!”

The storm has passed, and everything is quiet. Yasser has arranged for a private room and is waiting there when Ali arrives. Yasser rises and they shake hands warmly.

“Al Salam Alaykoum, Si Aziz.”

“Wa Alaykoum Salam, Si Yasser. Kabira gave me the news yesterday.”

“Of course, I knew she would. You two try to be discrete I know, but anyone with eyes can see that you’ve got a thing going on. I’m sure Scheherazade knows but loves you too much to make a hassle about it. She’d probably accept that you take Kabira as a second wife. Anyway, that’s not the point of our meeting, is it? Don’t make any specific references. The walls have ears.”

“Indeed. I wanted to let you know that things are not so bad as they may seem to you. But we have to act fast and make the first move. No doubt you’ve noticed that I’ve changed recently. Let’s just say that I woke up with a different perspective. You believe that it’s got me into hot water, and you’ve been thrown into it as well because of our friendship and the position you hold. I have a strategy, and I need you to have confidence in me, without knowing the plan. It will unfold step by step, and today we’ll just make the first move. Are you with me?”

“How could you doubt it my friend. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I’m afraid though. Any person in their right mind would be. So, tell me, what are we to do now?”

“Counterattack before the attack. He won’t succeed because everyone will know that his mud-throwing is only that, with no proof or substance.”

“You know very well that he’s capable of providing evidence of anything.”

“Everyone knows it! That’s part of our force! I still may need to go into hiding to keep from being arrested, only the coming events will tell.” Aziz slips a folded piece of paper to Yasser. They’ve already been speaking softly, but now he lowers his voice to an almost inaudible whisper “Here’s what I want you to do for me first, don’t worry, there’s no risk in it. Needless to say, no other eyes should ever see this.”

Yasser tucks it away to read later. They shake hands and take leave.

Back at the villa, Ali has a word with Scheherazade in their bedroom.

“I met with Yasser just now. I’ve made a plan, and he has a part in it.”

“You’re not putting him in danger, are you?”

“Not at all. But it’s something I can’t do. He’s acting as if he were cooperating with Mahfoud. By the way, he told me something about Aziz that I should mention.”

“What’s that?”

“He seems to think that you’re aware of Aziz having an affaire, that it’s no secret.”

“With Kabira, you mean?”

“Precisely. Why didn’t you tell me before I went to see her yesterday?”

“Frankly, I didn’t know what to say. Put yourself in my place. What could I say? I decided to let things happen as they would. You made love then, didn’t you? You see, it’s complicated. You’re not Aziz, and there’s another complication on top of that.” Her eyes say everything.

“Us?”

“Yes, Ali.”

“Yasser had the opinion that you wouldn’t be opposed to Aziz’s taking Kabira as a second wife. But I’m not Aziz. I couldn’t make that step in his place even if you both agreed. It looks like we’ll all just have to surf these waves until we all come ashore, Insha Allah.”

Scheherazade is about to admit that she doesn’t know if she wants him to go back to his world, but she holds her tongue. Instead, she wraps him in a loving embrace. “He’s right about Kabira, I wouldn’t mind sharing Aziz with her, but as you said, you’re not Aziz.”

“It’s good that Nizam Mahfoud doesn’t move in the same circles as you two, otherwise he’d know about Kabira’s relation with Aziz too. Come to think of it, he probably does know anyway. They know almost everything we say or do. Kabira will need protection; he might try to use her against us. I’ll ask her to move in with us, OK? The villa is a lot safer than her home.”

“Tell you what, I’ll invite her and tell her I approve of her love for Aziz. It’s better that everything is above board and she’ll probably feel better about it too.”

“Perhaps she won’t want to share him?”

“I know her a lot better than you, she’ll agree, I’m sure.”

“OK, that’s one thing settled. I have to get to work on my plan. Do you know Asra Hanadi?”

“You mean Dr. Hanadi, The Director of the National Public Library?”

“Yes, exactly. I’m glad that’s the same here in your world. I know her well in mine.”

“I’d recognize her, but we’re not acquainted, same for Aziz I believe.”

“Aziz has met her double on Al’ard now. She’s important for my plan here. It’s Monday, the Library’s surely open, and it’s still early. Let’s get some lunch and I’ll try to see her this afternoon.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, you have to speak with Kabira and get her here in the villa as quickly as possible.”

Mounir Jafari is not only Yasser’s majordomo, he’s also his chauffeur. As soon as Mounir pulls away from the Almohades Citadel Tea room, Yasser takes the folded note out of his pocket.

My dear Yasser, you must let Mahfoud think that you’re cooperating fully with him. Prepare a big soirée at your villa for Saturday evening a month from last Saturday. Tell Mahfoud that everyone who’s anyone will be invited, and that you’ll lure me into a compromising situation with a pretty young minor. Whether I’m guilty or not, he knows he can make the arrest stick. Tell him to be ready to have me arrested on the spot. Don’t worry. It’s all part of the plan. Trust me. Your friend Aziz.

That afternoon Ali presents himself at the reception desk of the National library. “May I speak with Dr. Hanadi please?”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, tell her that it’s Aziz Elbaz.” The receptionist nods and smiles. Who doesn’t know the name?

“I’ll be just a minute sir.” She hustles off and returns in a few minutes. “Come this way sir.” She leads him to Asra’s office, knocks softly, then parts as soon as Ali enters.

He’s met with the smells of leather and beeswax, mingled with her perfume, the same one she wears on Al’ard: cedar, musk, iris, and rose, topped with fruits. The furniture in the spacious office is stately and traditional, with floor-to-ceiling oak bookcases with glass doors on three of the walls. All of this is familiar to him, it’s almost identical. A gentle summer breeze drifts in through the open window behind her desk. There’s a lounge area with a mini-bar, a coffee table and plush leather upholstered sofa set: a chair, a two-seater, and a three-seater. She motions for him to take a seat.

“Good day Mr. Elbaz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” They shake hands.

“Good day Dr. Hanadi, it’s a pleasure to meet you too, and an honor.” ‘It’s so strange seeing my lover who doesn’t know me!’

“Can I get you a drink?”

“I’ll just have a glass of ice water, please, thank you. I’ve read your study on the indigenous nomad people and learned a lot. I sincerely admire you.” Ali can’t help but relive the sensations he’s known with this woman on Al’ard. His member hardens and his heartbeat quickens as she approaches him and hands him his glass. They sit on the three-seater with a space between.

“I’m happy that you came to see me. But I’m sure that it’s not just a social visit. How may I help you?” Her voice rings with sincerity and warmth.

“Perhaps you’ve seen the recent headlines?”

“Yes. In fact, I was quite surprised, but in a good way. I’m against this new law, as are all the intellectuals, but seeing a celebrity side with the cause was unexpected. So, you want my help to fight for free speech? Of course, you have it. I was at the protest last week, but it would take quite a few police to bring me down. I escaped easily.”

While Ali knows all too well about Asra’s fighting skills, he’s not sure if it’s common knowledge, so he acts as if he wasn’t aware. “Really? That’s interesting! You’ve got me intrigued.”

“I don’t make it known, but I’m a 9th dan Kung-Fu master. People know me for my brains, and they don’t need to know me for anything else.”

“Impressive. So Mahfoud doesn’t scare you?”

“He does. Anyone who doesn’t fear him is an idiot. But that doesn’t mean I’m not ready to fight him. Courage doesn’t mean not being afraid; it means moving forward with your fear. He’s everything I hate, and even if I’m comfortable, I started with nothing and I’m ready to risk it. I’m glad you came to me.” She smiles, and Ali melts inside.

“I’ve been informed that he’s about to start a smear campaign on me. We have an advantage though because we’ll hit before he does. I know an investigative journalist who’s done a ton of research on him, and I’ve read it all.”

“Really? What’s his name? I know most of the people who would do that kind of research.”

“He prefers to keep his identity a secret, but he’s with us.”

“Is there any way I could get a copy to read?”

“I read the original, unfortunately, it was stolen. No doubt by the secret police.” ’I’ll have to get used to telling lies. How else can I manage this?’ “Let’s talk about how you can help. I already had some ideas and learning about your being a martial arts expert has given me some new ideas.” ’another lie.’ “Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.”

“What are your relations with the indigenous nomads? Are you close to them?” ’as if I didn’t know.’

“They are my family. I lost my parents when I was a child and was raised by Mass Anazar Ait Tamdoult, the chief of our clan.”

“Do you think we can enlist their help?”

“They wouldn’t care about the censorship law. It doesn’t concern them.”

“In fact, the censorship law is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ve studied history, and it repeats itself. We’re dealing with the birth of a fascist regime. All the intellectuals and anyone who doesn’t fit into their mold will be eliminated. The nomad people are as much a threat to them as intellectuals because they won’t fall in line. Mahfoud has a plan and two years from now it will be too late.”

“Do you have any proof?”

“I was hoping that you could obtain it. You’d be in great danger but now I know you’re the person we need.”

“This is exciting! I’ll be an espionage agent against the fascists!”

“This could be difficult to believe, but I assure you that it’s true. They’re planning to manufacture drones that will shoot stunners at people, and when they’re unconscious they’ll pick them up and send them to a hidden prison for dissidents. I inform you of a night when Mahfoud will be busy, and you’ll be able to search his office for plans. If we can get ahold of the plans, perhaps we can undermine them.”

“Sounds like a lot of ifs. The Ministry of the Interior is surely one of the best guarded places in this country.”

“We have a month to plan.”

“I’m with you. Let’s do it.”

Ali’s thinking ’that’s my Night-Flight alright, she’s just the same in this world!’

Exactly four weeks have gone by since the night of the concert, and all of the country’s high society is at Yasser Tabet’s villa for a soirée. He’s promised a surprise. Nizam Mahfoud has placed his men undercover everywhere, but distinctly malapropos as everyone knows everyone else. All the guests are outside in the backyard, enjoying the warm summer evening and chatting in little circles, drinks in hand, with soft lounge music in the background, waiting for Yasser to tell them what the surprise is. The Minister of the Interior, Information, and Communication Technologies, a glass of scotch in one hand and a top-notch cigar in the other, has found company in a young rising actress. An incredibly sexy 16-year-old girl, seemingly a groupie, is following Ali around everywhere, making sure that everyone sees her near him as often as possible. She keeps giving him the eye and making it obvious to all of the guests.

At the same moment, in Al’Easima, the capitol city, Asra is transformed in Ninja, dressed all in black, and as always before a demanding task, she’s meditating and visualizing herself in action (on the parallel world she’s attacking the prison with her clan). She’s taken a room on the top floor of a 3-star hotel on the same block as the Ministry of the Interior. The floorplan of the building she has to infiltrate was easy to get. There was a copy right with her in the National library because it was built by a famous architect and was the residence of the governing general under colonial rule. With the help of Aziz’s well-stocked bank account and the acquaintances of Mass Anazar Ait Tamdoult, she’s been able to buy all of the latest material for break-ins. After her meditation, she climbs the fire escape to the roof of the hotel and jumps roof to roof until she’s on a building right next to the Ministry. Sha can’t just jump on its roof like the other buildings though. There’s a barbed and electrified fence all around the rooftop. She attaches and lets down a rope, then nimbly descends by rappel into the courtyard. She hides until a guard makes his rounds and knocks him unconscious, taking his gun, radio link, and keys. Ten minutes later she’s in Mahfoud’s office, and she has hours ahead of her to find what she’s looking for.

Yasser steps up on to the stage platform in his backyard where the band has already set up their instruments and addresses the guests with a cordless mic. “My dear friends, you’re all wondering why I invited you here. You all know Scheherazade Bellali, I’ll let her make the announcement. Scheherazade, the floor is yours.”

“I’d like to announce, on behalf of my husband Aziz, that there will be another addition to our family.”

Cheers and congratulations sound out from the attendants.

“No, it’s not what you’re thinking. No babies yet.” She smiles. “With my permission, Aziz has decided to take a second wife. And she’s someone you all know, Kabira Tahiri!”

Kabira appears grinning ear to ear, dressed in the traditional wedding engagement green and gold caftan and jewelry, with henna designs on her hands and feet. The two women embrace as the crowd cheers and ululations rise into the sky from the women, “Lililililililililililililililililililililili” Ali comes to join them and goes down on a bended knee in front of Kabira and Scheherazade. They both offer their hands, and he kisses all four. The newly engaged couple, as per tradition, give each other a date and milk.

The band comes on stage and the music starts. Everyone is dancing, clapping hands, and stomping feet. The crowd starts shouting “Aziz! Aziz! Aziz!” and Ali takes the mic. After a few words with the band, he sings a famous love song that everyone knows “I love you hopelessly”, after which he bows to the applause and leaves the band to play dance music.

After a moment Ali slips away, as planned, to meet a 16-year-old sex kitten in one of the bedrooms (there are 20), with the intention of being “caught” with her. This is where Mahfoud is supposed to obtain the evidence for his smear campaign. Ali has already thought of a way out.

When Ali knocks on the door where the teenager is supposed to be waiting, there’s no answer. He opens the door and jumps back in horror, shrieking out with all his force. All that’s left of the girl is a bloody mess sprawled out on the bed. Her hands and feet are bound to the bedposts with torn sheets, and it’s obvious that she was raped before being killed. He’s standing in a state of shock when undercover police grab him and start dragging him away from the scene of the crime. His scream has caused a mob of people to run towards the bedroom, and they meet Ali and the bulls straight on. “We caught him before he could run!” one of the watchdogs blurts out. But Yasser and Mounir Jafari are at the front of the pack and stop them cold. Mahfoud appears just as Yasser orders the police. “Let him go!”

Mahfoud barks back “Don’t let him go!” The police are confused but hold tight. The crowd pushes forward and the scene is witnessed by a mass of people.

Yasser addresses the whole crowd, “Aziz was with us; he couldn’t have done this. He doesn’t even have any blood on him!” Mahfoud has to give in to the obvious. He can’t hang the crime on Aziz. Too many people have witnessed that it had to be someone else. Ali is released, still in a state of shock, and a Yasser and a couple of other friends lead him away. They take him to another empty bedroom. Scheherazade and Kabira are called to be close to him. As the police are on the scene, Mahfoud gives the order to block all of the exits and phones for reinforcements and a road blockade. The police start a thorough search of the villa and its grounds. No trace of the killer can be found. The scheme didn’t go as planned, but Aziz can’t be smeared for the moment.

Asra has succeeded in her mission, and has digital copies of the plans, not only of the drones, but also of the secret political prison to be built in the desert.