“Some people think it’s easy, sitting in one place all day hammering and stitching leather. But I tell you, I’ve got to keep my eyes open every minute.
“I sent my apprentice off to buy good Moroccan leather and he came back with—ugh!—pigskin.
“Of course, I had to dismiss him. And did he care that the Sultan’s waiting this very moment for the slippers I promised him, and nobody to deliver them? Of course not.
“Do YOU care?”
“Have you any pity for an honest workingman?”
“Would you be so kind as to deliver these shoes to the back door of the Palace?”
“Please take these shoes to the back door of the Palace. The Sultan’s custom could be the making of my humble shop!”
“The service entrance is the small door in the northwest angle of the Palace. When you approach the Palace, do not enter the grand courtyard. Instead, go WEST to the alleyway, NORTH, and then EAST.”
“What a pleasure to see you again! Did you deliver the shoes?”
“Did you deliver the shoes to the Palace?”
“You have my eternal gratitude.”
“At last! Somebody with human feelings! Perhaps you might even be persuaded to take these shoes to the Palace for me.
“What do you say?”
“May Allah shower blessings upon you!”
He places a pair of fine leather slippers on the counter.
“I might have known I couldn't trust you. I suppose you dropped them somewhere, and I’m the one whose head will be on the block.”
“I thank you a thousand times!”
For a moment it looks alarmingly as if he is about to kiss your hand, but instead he only presses a copper dirham into your palm.
You slip it into your pocket.
“It’s as I’ve always said: nobody has pity for the concerns of a humble working man.”
“You’re no better than that selfish wretch of an apprentice. I wish you would accept this small commission.”
“I suppose that is what passes for humor among young women of your class.”
“I suppose that is what passes for humor among young men of your class.”
(That was cute. If you’d told the truth, he’d have paid you.)
“Please don’t be too long about it. One would not wish to rouse the Sultan’s anger.
“No! Your hands! Go wash them before handling my wares!”
You pick up the shoes. They really are well made.
“Now, those are for the Sultan himself, so you must bring them to the back door of the Palace and give them to the guard there.”
“Wretch! Scoundrel! You agreed to deliver them to the Palace!”
“Be sure to come back for the shoes as soon as you’ve washed your hands!”
“Please! Don’t forget the Sultan’s shoes!”
“My wares aren’t for the likes of you!”
“I’m afraid I have nothing that would suit you.”
“I am aware that trying on footwear is a popular entertainment among women of your country, but here our ways are different.”
“I cannot let you try on my wares before you pay for them.”
“What do you think I am, a snake of some kind? Put that silly toy away!”
“Madam! You have already seen that I have nothing to suit you.”
“Sir! I do not do business that way.”
“Please don’t drop sweets on my counter! The sugar sticks to everything.”
“I must ask you not to drop that here. It is impossible to remove grease stains from leather.”
