Casablanca's Chronicles

[Tuareg]

A young man with a funny beard stepped in. Well, better say he stumbled in. He was very careful not to drop his book, so every greasy pirate (and his mother) in the taverna realised it has a big value to him. He had a look of student from a small village in the big city. But truth was he was from the small cave. And he wasn't a student any more. He was Imam.

Being not stupid, he noticed all the eyes on his precious book, so he rushed to a spot with more light. It happened to be a bar. So he took a seat. Bartender threw his cloth at the wall and it stayed on it like glued. He gave a long bartending gaze to a young man, letting him know that seating here doesn't come for free.

Oh, uh... young man said, noting that he must order a drink now. May I have... a... .... milk? A goat milk, please? I guess you don't milk firelizards here, do you?

A salvo of laughter was shaking the tavern for good five minutes. Barmen including. He was the loudest one, actually. Young man used that time to change several colours of his face, in very experienced fashion.

A noise from laughter calmed down, after a while. Barmen was just a professional, so he got at least something white and liquid and served it to a young man in a mug.

A young man opened his mouth to say Alaikum Salam, but he changed his mind. He opened his mouth to say Thanks at least, but was interrupted in that too. Base Commander Rodriguez was beside him, looking him straight in the eyes and said: What is this mess about? And can I help you somehow?

I'm looking for Commander Rodriguez, Effendi. young man said.

Are you? And what can effendi Commander do for you, senor goat-bird?

Oh, sorry, I didn't introduce my self! My name is Abdullah and I'm one of Tuareg Imams. He tried to shake hands with Commander Rodriguez, but he would risk to drop his book again, so he gave up that idea.

Commander Rodriguez gave him a look like a young man called Imam Abdullah fell from planet Rabat on the top of this little dirty tavern. He stepped back and with a wide gesture showed a bit nicer table in the corner. Come to my table, Imam senor Abdullah effendi. We will have a little chat there.