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now.”
    “Sorry, sir? What makes sense?”
    “Nothing, never mind, and stop calling me sir. Everyone here calls me Wayne.”
    “OK, sir … I mean Wayne. Thank you.”
    “Lucy tells me you’ve been doing a great job around here. Been taking a lot of initiative to get things done. I like that.”
    “That’s good to hear. I do like it here. It's a great theater. So different than all those new big multi-screen places out in the burbs. Not that I get to them too much. They’re pretty far out, and I don’t have a car. I like watching the older movies. They seem more real, you know.”
    “Yes, I know what you mean, Harry. I wish more young people saw things your way. It would make running this place a lot easier. Especially at times like this.”
    “What do you mean, times like this?”
    “Well, things are tough for a small indie theater like this one, even at the best of times. There’s not really a big demand for foreign films here, but I grew up in Texas, and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
    “OK.”
    “I really have to focus on what my customers want with a small business like this one, and unfortunately there have been some complaints as of late.”
    “Complaints? About me? I don’t understand. I thought Lucy was happy with my work. She said she was.”
    “Yeah, no. It’s not Lucy. She wouldn’t say anything like this. It’s kind of hard to say, but I’ll come right out and say it. There are some customers that don’t like being served by someone of your background.”
    “My background … I see.” Harish looked down at his feet. “I suppose this means you’re going to have to let me go.”
    “I’d hate to do that, I really would. It’s not right, but some people see the world differently these days. Given the way things are, I can't totally blame them even if I don't always agree with them. But, they are paying customers and my profit margins are small enough already. I can’t afford to have people bad-mouthing the theater.”
    “So, I suppose I’ll be looking for another job.”
    “I was thinking, I just need you to work some different shifts. After-hours and such. Lots of clean-up and some of the dirty work, I’m afraid. The bad thing is, I won’t be able to give you as many hours. At least I can keep you on, and still keep everyone happy.”
    “Thank you, Wayne, I appreciate that. I’ll find a way to make it work.”
    “You’re taking it better than I thought you would.”
    “What, did you think I was, like, going to blow up the place or something?” Harish replied with a grin, then shook his head. “It’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with this kind of thing. I do appreciate you trying to make it work though.”
    “It's hard being different at the best of times. You ever consider maybe moving anywhere else?”
    “Not really. I grew up in Texas, and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7 ~ Pandora's
    Ahmed drove like a man possessed. Possessed of questions, and anger, and frustration. And perhaps, a dash of curiosity. But, the overriding emotion at the moment had to be anger. Why had they waited so long to finally give him a purpose? For so long, he’d been afraid to commit his life to anything. He’d put off committing to a family, a career, or any significant change in his life. For the last 10 years since his mother had died, he committed to what she had asked him to do. Why did they make him wait so long? Why now? He still didn’t even know who they were.
    He tore out of the desert, leaving all his gear behind. Everything he would normally need to trek back into the desert next month and dig up another box. There didn’t seem to be a point to it. Now at least, he needed to be moving forward. He felt guilt over his anger. This had been his purpose for 10 years, and now it was finally about to happen. Why be angry? I should be excited , he thought . Finally I get to move forward. Finally, I get to set things