Host: Right then! I haven’t got any vodka, but there’s a hookah under the table! Everyone takes three draws, and then I lay the table. If there’s a single peep out of you, I’ll be mourning for all three of you on my own.
Alish: Ah, here we go then. (he takes one draw) Not bad! Our host, you said only three times, right?
Host: I fancy the look of you, lad!
Alish: No, I was only asking… to make sure….
Bakh: Forgive us all, Allah.
All-merciful and all-forgiving is He,
Wherefore your sinful, rebellious groan?
Today you are dead drunk in the tavern
Die and your skeleton, not you, will be absolved!
(he takes draw after draw)
Alish: (speaking unclearly) Total Apollinairo-Omar-Hayamian psychodelia… (a pause, then suddenly they all start laughing and chuckling cacophonously)
Host: Right,
