Chapter 23, Special Communiquys Summary

Oskar sends Bruno, his male nurse in the asylum, to the store to buy fizz powder. After searching several shops, Bruno reports that the powder has not been produced since the middle of World War II. Finally Bruno finds a pharmacist who combines chemicals to produce a woodruff fizz powder. Oskar's friends Klepp and Vittlar visit. Klepp, a devoted communist, is in mourning because Stalin has died. After Klepp and Vittlar leave, Maria comes to visit, giving Oskar a peck on the cheek. As usual, they speak about little Kurt, Maria's son. Oskar asks Maria for her left hand. She is puzzled when he pours the fizz powder into it, and disgusted when he spits on the powder. Maria rushes to the sink and washes the mixture off her hand. When Oskar tries to explain, Maria looks at him...