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in a week, or a month. Always at the mercy of other people’s whims.”
    â€œIt’s part of my job.”
    â€œIt’s a stupid job and you
know
it.”
    â€œCould be.”
    â€œGetting involved in a place that has nothing to do with you.
Zilch
. Hiding among a bunch of fanatics. And don’t try to tell me they’re not, because I know
exactly
how they are.”
    â€œMarianna . . .”
    â€œThere’s a certain amount of stupidity in that.”
    â€œMarianna, I have to go now.”
    â€œOh,
of course
. I thought so. Look, Alessandro, it’s really urgent that we sell the house. The way prices are going in the area is appalling. Only
they
could have made the place seem idyllic. Ernesto was convinced he was an expert when it came to investments, remember? He was convinced he was an expert
in everything
.
In fact
, the apartment isn’t worth anything anymore. I’m really worried.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it, I told you.”
    â€œYou have to do it
quickly
, Alessandro.”
    â€œAll right. Ciao, Marianna.”
    Â â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢Â 
    E gitto isn’t sure how much intelligence lies hidden behind Colonel Ballesio’s meditative stance. Not much, he’d guess. What’s certain is that the colonel harbors several idiosyncrasies. For example, he’s hung a disproportionate number of tree-shaped air fresheners in the tent, which fill the space with the scent of bubble gum.
    â€œLieutenant Morocco! Come in.”
    â€œEgitto, Colonel, sir.”
    Ballesio leans forward to read the name on his jacket. “Oh, well, not much difference, right? At ease, Lieutenant, at ease. Have a seat over there. As you can see, this tent doesn’t have many amenities. Caracciolo is a spartan type. Only because he’s young, mind you. I, however, am beginning to appreciate comfort.” He caresses his belly indulgently. “By the way, I’d like to get a refrigerator to keep a few beers here. I noticed you have one in your infirmary. Do you really need it?”
    â€œThe vaccines are in it. And the adrenaline.”
    â€œThe adrenaline, right. That’s important. I could keep it here, though. That way I’ll have room for some beers. After all, my tent is open—everyone is welcome at any hour of the day or night. I don’t have any secrets to hide. Besides, you’re leaving soon, right?”
    Egitto lowers his eyes.
    â€œAnyway, think about it. Maybe it’s not a good idea. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always liked beer, even warm.” The colonel squeezes his lips between his thumb and forefinger, nodding his head vacantly. “Well, okay, then,” he murmurs. And again: “Okay, then.”
    On the desk there’s a copy of
The Little Prince
. The two soldiers turn their eyes to the slim little boy drawn on the cover.
    â€œMy wife,” Ballesio says, as if to justify himself. “She gave it to me. She says I need to get in touch with our kids. I’m not sure what she means. Have you read it?”
    â€œA long time ago.”
    â€œIf you ask me, it’s for homos. I fell asleep twice.”
    Egitto nods, uncomfortable. He’s not sure why he came to the colonel’s tent. The Little Prince
seems more out of his element than usual under the greenish light filtering through the canvas.
    â€œWas there something in particular you wanted to tell me, Lieutenant?”
    â€œI’d like to extend my stay, Colonel.” The meaning of the phrase isn’t fully clear to him until he’s uttered it in its entirety.
    Ballesio raises his eyebrows. “Are you serious?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œHere in Afghanistan or here in this Gulistan shithole?”
    â€œAt the FOB, Colonel.”
    â€œAnd to think, I’d already like to leave. Ski season starts in three months. Don’t you want to go home and ski, Lieutenant? Don’t tell me