City of Jasmine

speech using only the simplest and most easily comprehensible words, probably due to his modest education, three years in

speech using only the simplest and most easily comprehensible

men obey him blindly

Beads of sweat form on his forehead.

There’s a long day ahead of him

Amal withstands his gaze and refuses to smile; she knows he’s afraid of women who don’t smile.

The general looks her firmly in the eye and Amal tries not to evade his stare.

Bassel glares at his daughter with patriarchal fervour. Amal withstands his gaze

A slipped disc a year ago came as a rude reminder of advancing age.

The silence grows uncomfortable, the tension increasing.