the bus station stretched away in the distance like the mouth of a gigantic whale ready to swallow a thousand jonahs.
excuse me, a voice at ali’s elbow said.
ali turned and saw a woman leaning on a strangely curved cane.
the woman had a kindly smile and looked like a witch.
she was in the same line fo the ticket counter that ali had been in, now about two spots back from the head of the line.
i could not help overhearing your conversation, the kindly woman said.
perhaps it is no business of mine, but i suspect that person was a rounder, and that they picked your pocket and stole your wallet while engaging you in conversation.
i do not like to accuse people without proof. ali said. did you actually see them take my wallet?
no, but what else could gave happened?
perhaps, ali replied boldly, you took it!
the witchy woman laughed.
i ? i was four or five places behind you.
but you are a witch, exclaimed ali, in a louder voice than she had intended.
everybody in the bus station turned and stared at her.
*
look here, said a man behind the witch in the line, you can not go around accusing people without proof.
the man wore a tall black hat and looked like a magician.
although he did not have a black mustache.
i am sorry, ali said, i was misguided and spoke out of turn.
that is easy to say, the magician replied, but a show of sincerity might be in order.
i only wanted to get to the good place. ali responded, but i am lost and alone and despised and worst of all, i have no money and face the immediate prospect of starving or freezing to death.
that’s so sad, the magician sneered, what do you want from me?
since you presumed to censure me in front of all these good people, ali replied boldly, perhaps you could render me some small assistance.
very well, i will render you some assistance.
and what might that be?
i will turn you into a rabbit, and pull you out of hats all over the civilized world. how do you like those apples?
i gratefully accept your offer, ali replied humbly, even though i do not understand the meaning of the expression how do you like those apples.
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