Summary

In "Taj Mahal," Clement Rouse publishes a memoir about his childhood memories with his grandfather Anton Pavlak, a well-known director. The book's publication upsets many of the actors who formerly worked with Anton. Because Rouse uses their names in the story, they feel affronted by the memoir's discrepancies and arrange a meeting. Emma, the daughter of Zoe Sills, one of the now deceased actresses in the circle, also attends.

The story opens with a section from the memoir and then moves into the friends' reunion over breakfast. The narrative continues to follow this exchange between storylines, moving back and forth in time and memory. In the portions of the piece devoted to the memoir, Rouse details his relationships with the actors and his grandfather. Many of his statements revolving the actors feel minimizing and stir conversation around the breakfast table.

They argue that...