Poem: "The First Thing You Will Be Questioned About"
This poem came out of the August 16, 2022 Bonus Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from Dreamwidth user See_also_friend. It also fills the "Moonlight" square in my 8-1-22 card for the Reel Time Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by janetmiles. It belongs to the Rutledge thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.
Warning: This poem contains intense and controversial topics. Highlight to read the more detailed warnings. It includes exaustion, miserable winter weather, a dispute over religious obligations, interpersonal tension. Oscar being a jerk for a while, a missed bus, a missed appointment, vulgar languages, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your tastes and headspace before reading onward.
"The First Thing You Will Be Questioned About"
[Afternoon of Saturday, December 6, 2014]
It had been a long day already,
and they were nowhere near done.
Oscar and Labib had been going
through the business district,
talking to people about plans
for the business incubator.
With all the holiday activity,
it was hard to get time
with busy employees.
They did their best by
calling ahead and hoping
folks could block out five
or ten minutes for them.
Labib was getting antsy,
looking at the sinking sun
and his vidwatch and then
back at the sun again.
"Dude, relax, you're
giving me the jitters,"
Oscar said, frowning.
"I am concerned about
the time," Labib said.
Well, yeah, the buses --
which normally ran like
clockwork downtown --
were slow today due to
the snow and so many
people wanting to ride.
"It's only 4:15," said Oscar.
"We've got time before
our next appointment."
"That's not what
I'm worried about,"
Labib said. "I need
to do the sunset prayer."
"What, now?" said Oscar.
"I know the bus is slow, but
it could come any minute.
Can't you just ... hold it?"
Labib shook his head.
"It is an obligation, and I
cannot pray on the bus if
we are caught on it longer
than the usual travel time."
"So you're just, what, going
to blow off the next meeting
and all?" Oscar demanded.
"I'm going to duck into
the nearest quiet room and
take care of this," said Labib.
"It should only take five minutes."
He headed briskly toward a door
with a blue sign that proclaimed
the business had a quiet room.
Oscar trotted after him. "Come on,
it's not that big a deal, you can do it
later," he said. "Besides, this trip
was your idea in the first place."
"I appreciate you coming along,"
said Labib, "but yes, this is
a very 'big deal' for me."
The groan and wheeze of
an engine made Oscar whirl
in time to see several passengers
scramble out of the bus stop.
"Fuck, there goes the bus!"
he said. "Now we're gonna
miss our fucking appointment."
"I'm sorry," said Labib as he
opened the glass door. "I will
return as soon as I can."
"Yeah. I might be here
when you do," Oscar bit out.
The weather was freezing, and
with the sun down, the ruddy light
was fading fast and taking with it
what little heat the day had to offer.
Oscar paced back and forth in
front of the doorway, fuming.
He tugged off a mitten and sent
a text asking for a later timeslot.
Icy needles of snow began
to pepper the cold wind.
Oscar was debating whether
to squeeze inside one of
the crowded businesses
when Labib came back.
"Took you long enough
in there," Oscar sniped.
"My apologies," said Labib.
"I believe if we head a block
north, we should manage
to catch another bus that
will still get us where we
need to go before closing."
"Fine," Oscar said shortly.
They made good time
on foot, though, even Labib
handling the snow pretty well.
He stopped at a vendor and
bought two paper cups of
mulled maple apple cider.
Then he handed one to Oscar.
"Thanks," Oscar said. Curls of
fragrant steam rose up, and the cup
warmed his hands through his mittens.
The flavor was rich and spicy, perfect
to relieve the cold of a winter day.
It was nice of Labib to buy it for
him, without even being asked.
Okay, so maybe Oscar was
being a bit of a dick about this.
The weather was crappy, he
was cold, and it was snowing
harder, but that was no excuse
for picking on a friend like this.
Labib hadn't missed the bus
because he was just screwing off,
which is more than Oscar could say
about some times he'd been late.
Oscar glanced over, but Labib
wasn't even looking at him,
let alone talking to him, just
hurrying toward the bus stop.
Well ... shit. That wasn't good.
"I'm sorry for acting like a jerk,"
Oscar said. "My momma
raised me better than that."
"So I've seen," said Labib.
"You caught me by surprise."
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting you
to bail in the middle of a project
you suggested," said Oscar.
"I guess I still don't get it."
"Prayer is the first thing
you will be questioned about,
so do not make it the last thing
on your mind," said Labib.
"O ... kay?" said Oscar.
"I know you're supposed
to do the thing several times
a day, I'm just not used to it
getting in the way like this."
"When we met, it was spring, and
we were not so busy," said Labib.
"Now it is winter, so the short days
affect the timing of some prayers. This
was maghrib, the evening prayer, which
always has a small window -- from just
after sunset until the last red light
disappears from the horizon."
"Shit, that's really not much time,"
Oscar realized. "What, half an hour?"
"Closer to twenty minutes," Labib said,
"as a little extra time must be allowed
immediately after the sun sinks. It is
preferred to pray promptly at that time."
"Yeah, I can see why," said Oscar.
"I'm sorry, Labib. I didn't realize
that the timing was so tight."
"You are not Muslim;
there is no reason you
should know," said Labib.
"Yeah, there is," said Oscar.
"I'm working with you now,
so it's become something
I need to understand better.
I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"Forgiven," said Labib.
"We've both had a long day,
and I should have explained
about maghrib sooner too."
"Yeah, that would've helped,"
said Oscar. "What else can
we do to prevent a repetition?"
"I should have put the meetings
on my schedule app," said Labib.
"That would've pinged a warning
about the conflict with maghrib."
"Schedule app?" said Oscar.
"I just use a datebook for mine."
"I use Jibrael, which has prayer times,
a qibla compass, and other useful things,"
said Labib. "Here, this is the schedule."
Oscar looked at the display. Icons
advertised the things it could do.
"That looks useful," he said.
"Would you like a copy?"
said Labib. "Then we
could synch schedules."
"Maybe," said Oscar.
"How much does it cost?"
"Nothing," said Labib.
"It's covered by zakat,
for the cause of God, like
printing the Quran, because
it helps Muslims practice
the Pillars of Islam."
"Then yes, please,"
said Oscar. "Wait, will
it run on my vidwatch
or my smartphone?"
"Either or both, probably,"
said Labib. "It comes in
most operating systems
and several languages."
He talked Oscar through
the process of setting it up.
"Yeah, this'll definitely help,"
said Oscar. "I can't remember
all this stuff, and now I don't
have to try, it's all in here."
"That's good," said Labib.
"Problem solved, I believe."
Oscar sighed. "I feel like I
owe you a concrete apology."
"Would you like to pay for
supper tonight?" said Labib.
"That's not exactly connected
to what I cocked up today,"
said Oscar. "Anything else?
That app was a great idea."
"Ah, I know just the thing,"
Labib said as he took out
his phone with the same app.
"Jibrael has links for buying
Islamic educational materials."
He showed Oscar the screen.
"Supporting the Second Pillar
of Islam," Oscar read slowly,
staring at the picture showing
the cover of a green chapbook.
"A Guide to Prayer Times and
Appropriate Accommodations."
"It explains the timing and importance
of the five daily prayers with tips on how
to accommodate them for employers,
schools, and other public places,"
said Labib. "You could buy one,
or several, and distribute them so
other people could avoid making
the same mistakes that we did."
Oscar saw that the chapbook
only cost $5 and there was a pack
of five for $20. "Yeah, that'll do,"
he said, making the order.
He had to type in everything
by hand because he didn't have
a linked account on the app,
but he got it to go through.
"Excellent," said Labib.
"Here is our bus stop,
and there comes the bus."
"That's great," Oscar said,
hurrying the last few steps.
Winter moonlight glinted
between two buildings,
sparkling on the snow.
The wind had stopped
throwing bits of ice into
their faces, and it was
a beautiful evening now.
As Oscar climbed onto
the bus, he hoped that all
of their challenges could
clear up this easily.
* * *
Notes:
This poem is long, so its notes appear elsewhere.
Warning: This poem contains intense and controversial topics. Highlight to read the more detailed warnings. It includes exaustion, miserable winter weather, a dispute over religious obligations, interpersonal tension. Oscar being a jerk for a while, a missed bus, a missed appointment, vulgar languages, and other challenges. If these are sensitive issues for you, please consider your tastes and headspace before reading onward.
"The First Thing You Will Be Questioned About"
[Afternoon of Saturday, December 6, 2014]
It had been a long day already,
and they were nowhere near done.
Oscar and Labib had been going
through the business district,
talking to people about plans
for the business incubator.
With all the holiday activity,
it was hard to get time
with busy employees.
They did their best by
calling ahead and hoping
folks could block out five
or ten minutes for them.
Labib was getting antsy,
looking at the sinking sun
and his vidwatch and then
back at the sun again.
"Dude, relax, you're
giving me the jitters,"
Oscar said, frowning.
"I am concerned about
the time," Labib said.
Well, yeah, the buses --
which normally ran like
clockwork downtown --
were slow today due to
the snow and so many
people wanting to ride.
"It's only 4:15," said Oscar.
"We've got time before
our next appointment."
"That's not what
I'm worried about,"
Labib said. "I need
to do the sunset prayer."
"What, now?" said Oscar.
"I know the bus is slow, but
it could come any minute.
Can't you just ... hold it?"
Labib shook his head.
"It is an obligation, and I
cannot pray on the bus if
we are caught on it longer
than the usual travel time."
"So you're just, what, going
to blow off the next meeting
and all?" Oscar demanded.
"I'm going to duck into
the nearest quiet room and
take care of this," said Labib.
"It should only take five minutes."
He headed briskly toward a door
with a blue sign that proclaimed
the business had a quiet room.
Oscar trotted after him. "Come on,
it's not that big a deal, you can do it
later," he said. "Besides, this trip
was your idea in the first place."
"I appreciate you coming along,"
said Labib, "but yes, this is
a very 'big deal' for me."
The groan and wheeze of
an engine made Oscar whirl
in time to see several passengers
scramble out of the bus stop.
"Fuck, there goes the bus!"
he said. "Now we're gonna
miss our fucking appointment."
"I'm sorry," said Labib as he
opened the glass door. "I will
return as soon as I can."
"Yeah. I might be here
when you do," Oscar bit out.
The weather was freezing, and
with the sun down, the ruddy light
was fading fast and taking with it
what little heat the day had to offer.
Oscar paced back and forth in
front of the doorway, fuming.
He tugged off a mitten and sent
a text asking for a later timeslot.
Icy needles of snow began
to pepper the cold wind.
Oscar was debating whether
to squeeze inside one of
the crowded businesses
when Labib came back.
"Took you long enough
in there," Oscar sniped.
"My apologies," said Labib.
"I believe if we head a block
north, we should manage
to catch another bus that
will still get us where we
need to go before closing."
"Fine," Oscar said shortly.
They made good time
on foot, though, even Labib
handling the snow pretty well.
He stopped at a vendor and
bought two paper cups of
mulled maple apple cider.
Then he handed one to Oscar.
"Thanks," Oscar said. Curls of
fragrant steam rose up, and the cup
warmed his hands through his mittens.
The flavor was rich and spicy, perfect
to relieve the cold of a winter day.
It was nice of Labib to buy it for
him, without even being asked.
Okay, so maybe Oscar was
being a bit of a dick about this.
The weather was crappy, he
was cold, and it was snowing
harder, but that was no excuse
for picking on a friend like this.
Labib hadn't missed the bus
because he was just screwing off,
which is more than Oscar could say
about some times he'd been late.
Oscar glanced over, but Labib
wasn't even looking at him,
let alone talking to him, just
hurrying toward the bus stop.
Well ... shit. That wasn't good.
"I'm sorry for acting like a jerk,"
Oscar said. "My momma
raised me better than that."
"So I've seen," said Labib.
"You caught me by surprise."
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting you
to bail in the middle of a project
you suggested," said Oscar.
"I guess I still don't get it."
"Prayer is the first thing
you will be questioned about,
so do not make it the last thing
on your mind," said Labib.
"O ... kay?" said Oscar.
"I know you're supposed
to do the thing several times
a day, I'm just not used to it
getting in the way like this."
"When we met, it was spring, and
we were not so busy," said Labib.
"Now it is winter, so the short days
affect the timing of some prayers. This
was maghrib, the evening prayer, which
always has a small window -- from just
after sunset until the last red light
disappears from the horizon."
"Shit, that's really not much time,"
Oscar realized. "What, half an hour?"
"Closer to twenty minutes," Labib said,
"as a little extra time must be allowed
immediately after the sun sinks. It is
preferred to pray promptly at that time."
"Yeah, I can see why," said Oscar.
"I'm sorry, Labib. I didn't realize
that the timing was so tight."
"You are not Muslim;
there is no reason you
should know," said Labib.
"Yeah, there is," said Oscar.
"I'm working with you now,
so it's become something
I need to understand better.
I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"Forgiven," said Labib.
"We've both had a long day,
and I should have explained
about maghrib sooner too."
"Yeah, that would've helped,"
said Oscar. "What else can
we do to prevent a repetition?"
"I should have put the meetings
on my schedule app," said Labib.
"That would've pinged a warning
about the conflict with maghrib."
"Schedule app?" said Oscar.
"I just use a datebook for mine."
"I use Jibrael, which has prayer times,
a qibla compass, and other useful things,"
said Labib. "Here, this is the schedule."
Oscar looked at the display. Icons
advertised the things it could do.
"That looks useful," he said.
"Would you like a copy?"
said Labib. "Then we
could synch schedules."
"Maybe," said Oscar.
"How much does it cost?"
"Nothing," said Labib.
"It's covered by zakat,
for the cause of God, like
printing the Quran, because
it helps Muslims practice
the Pillars of Islam."
"Then yes, please,"
said Oscar. "Wait, will
it run on my vidwatch
or my smartphone?"
"Either or both, probably,"
said Labib. "It comes in
most operating systems
and several languages."
He talked Oscar through
the process of setting it up.
"Yeah, this'll definitely help,"
said Oscar. "I can't remember
all this stuff, and now I don't
have to try, it's all in here."
"That's good," said Labib.
"Problem solved, I believe."
Oscar sighed. "I feel like I
owe you a concrete apology."
"Would you like to pay for
supper tonight?" said Labib.
"That's not exactly connected
to what I cocked up today,"
said Oscar. "Anything else?
That app was a great idea."
"Ah, I know just the thing,"
Labib said as he took out
his phone with the same app.
"Jibrael has links for buying
Islamic educational materials."
He showed Oscar the screen.
"Supporting the Second Pillar
of Islam," Oscar read slowly,
staring at the picture showing
the cover of a green chapbook.
"A Guide to Prayer Times and
Appropriate Accommodations."
"It explains the timing and importance
of the five daily prayers with tips on how
to accommodate them for employers,
schools, and other public places,"
said Labib. "You could buy one,
or several, and distribute them so
other people could avoid making
the same mistakes that we did."
Oscar saw that the chapbook
only cost $5 and there was a pack
of five for $20. "Yeah, that'll do,"
he said, making the order.
He had to type in everything
by hand because he didn't have
a linked account on the app,
but he got it to go through.
"Excellent," said Labib.
"Here is our bus stop,
and there comes the bus."
"That's great," Oscar said,
hurrying the last few steps.
Winter moonlight glinted
between two buildings,
sparkling on the snow.
The wind had stopped
throwing bits of ice into
their faces, and it was
a beautiful evening now.
As Oscar climbed onto
the bus, he hoped that all
of their challenges could
clear up this easily.
* * *
Notes:
This poem is long, so its notes appear elsewhere.