Summary

In Chapter 18, at the request of Big Blonde, Etienne uses his personal connections to arrange a meeting with Babel in jail. When Etienne meets with Babel, Babel immediately says that Lafala is there in the jail as well, as a prisoner. Lafala and Babel have both been arrested for the charge of stowing away on the boat. Etienne tries to determine the best way to secure Lafala and Babel’s freedom. Etienne speaks with a representative of the shipping company. However, the company refuses to intervene on behalf of Lafala and Babel. Etienne begins to suspect that the company may have specifically asked the Marseille police to arrest Lafala and Babel. Etienne then has a conversation with Falope about race. Falope mentions the idea that black people actually want to be white. Etienne responds that black people only want to be white in the...