Section 3 Summary

Carla does not recognize the man who is her husband. Ben, who has been living in Tripoli for a year, has adopted some of the mannerisms and speech of the locals. Outside the restaurant, Ristorante Piemontese, Ben haggles with a boy who wants money to watch Ben's car. Carla knows that Ben will not give up the coins, and that the car will be returned damaged in some way.

Inside the restaurant, Carla broaches the topic of her not wanting to live here, but Ben insists that her presence is important for his job. Ben has no feelings left for Carla, just as hers for him have long diminished. However, he needs her to play the part of wife for the sake of his career. Ben is uninterested in how Carla occupies her time, as long as she is available for certain social...