Summary

A memo from the United States Department of State tells Dodge that there is no record that he was ever used by the military as an interpreter. For this reason he is being denied the special immigration status he has requested. It is suggested he try to get a student visa.

When Dodge received this letter at his flat in Tunisia, it was already open. He believes his name has been added to a watch list held somewhere by the secret police. He thinks he might be better off trying to attend college in Sousse with its whitewashed buildings instead of continuing to dream of going to America. The whitewash reminds him of Tom Sawyer and his thesis which he believes is the key to everything. As he tries to work on the project he is interrupted...