“Indeed, in our poetry and folk songs intoxication

occupies a recurring role as a facilitator of love and spiritual enlightenment. What? Is it not a sin? Yes, it certainly is - and so, for that matter, is coveting thy neighbor’s wife. I see you smile; we understand one another, then.”

“I do, however, remember becoming annoyed at one point in the discussion. Erica’s father had asked me how things were back home, and I had replied that they were quite good, thank you, when he said, “Economy’s falling apart though, no? Corruption, dictatorship, the rich living like princes while everyone else suffers. Solid people, don’t get me wrong. I like Pakistanis. But the elite has raped that place well and good, right? And fundamentalism. You guys have got some serious problems with fundamentalism.”

“Observe, sir: bats have begun to appear in the air above this square. Creepy, you say? What a delightfully American expression - one I have

not heard in many years!”