Summary

Cohen the Narrator starts off "10/19-10/20-" by likening the poor part of Vienna to Jewish New York at the turn of the last century with a few technological differences. He sees newspapers in languages he does not know and talks about how humans tend to skip the good news in favor of the bad, which is often more sensational and psychologically appealing. He then buys a magazine with a centerfold dedicated to Principal's birthday and stands outside of Yasir's shop but does not approach him.

The next night, he sees Yasir writing in a notebook and also spots Iz. She is no longer wearing an abaya. Her face is uncovered, and she is wearing a sweater, skirt, and heels bought for her by Cohen the Narrator. She carries a brass tray and is helping out at the shop where her brother works...