Summary

Twenty years after arriving in Paris, Hassan learned while shopping at a market that Paul Verdun had died in a car crash. The news shocked Hassan. He felt that not only had his friend died but an important branch of classic French cuisine had died as well. Hassan felt that the country should have honored him, but there was no interest in doing so. His career had been on the decline lately. The critics were bored with his classic style and were focused on more exotic styles of cooking.

Hassan planned to call Paul’s widow and offer his condolences. On his way home, he recalled some of the good times they had spent together. When he thought about sharing a meal of tripe with Paul, the full impact of his friend’s death crashed down on him. The deaths of those close to...