Summary

Shay and Senna debate the question of whether a regular guest at the Red House, an older French tourist named Gilles, will be allowed to bring his new Malagasy girlfriend to dinner.

The narration describes how Gilles regularly visits from France, each time choosing a young woman from the many similar women at the clubs, spending several weeks with her and spending money on her, and then leaving until the next visit. The young woman is given a substantial sum of money, and is replaced on the next visit. Usually Shay and her family are gone when Gilles is there, but on this particular occasion, their visits overlap. When such overlaps occur with other guests, Shay and Senna are happy to share a table and their food; on this occasion, however, they are reluctant. This, as the narrative portrays...