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policies, including material help and legal support to equate them with other citizens. They
necessitated identification documents and health cards, which offered them access to the public
network. I would also ask him to end illiteracy, creating schools for the Twas, making some of them
able to lift themselves out of poverty. He had to allow them access to the forest parks in order that
they exerted hunting and extracting, their traditional livelihood. Lamentably, Dr. Mike did not let me
approach the president, touching an inappropriate subject for the occasion, and he argued,
questioning the obstinacy of my observations.
"You cannot talk all that over, saying such things directly to the president, Dr. Isabelle."
"Why not? Could I know?"
"You have to exhaust the intermediate legal means through the official channels, before
accessing him. This can't be so, even more in public."
"Which are these?"
"The public service, its brass, and the way through the bureaucracy, Doctor."
"Hahaha. Great joke, Dr. Mike! These thieving bureaucrats don't even buy sufficient
medicine for us to treat their relatives. They will never help the Twas."
He was judgmental.
"Oh, Dr. Isabelle! Do not blame these people. It is not polite of you, since they, kindly,
invited us to this party. Please, join an NGO to do social work and let His Excellency have a calm
dinner. He has got a war to concern about."
"You are a bastard and a vile Nazi, Dr. Mike! How can't you show concern for the
plight of the Pigmies in this country? Stretch out a helping hand and have mercy on the needy, at
least once in your life."
"Please, do not be ingrate! I do a worthy job for the Rwandese. Unfortunately, this
country is an intolerant state divided into castes. On that account, I have to realize our work without
self-interest or ethnic choices. If it is not so, I lose credibility with the constituted authority. What can
I do for the paupers if I go against the ruling power? If you wanted to fix this place by force, you
should have brought Batman to this party instead of me."
"Yeah! I understand you, Dr. Mike, and you are coherent. Even so, I am not like you,
and I hate injustice. I cannot act by the edges with such diplomacy as you do. I will not talk to the
president, so be cool, as I promised you to be good tonight."
"I appreciate your comprehension, Dr. Isabelle. It is on the agenda and the
government is seeking a solution now that this theme is under debate abroad." He spoke, sounding
unconvinced.
The hosts served us a lovely meal, and I saw an abundance of eating that I did not find
in other spots of the city. Then, I felt uncomfortable, remembering that my outpatients, barely, had a
protein molecule to put on their tongue at home. Anyway, the music of an African band began to
enliven the environment, breathing life into the party, everyone started drinking, and joy spread all
over the place. Dr. Mike and General Gedeon Bagirubwira were with a bunch of politicians and
militaries around the president, chatting away happily. The men laughed loudly and consumed bottles
and bottles of pure scotch. Because of a few words with the Kigalians, Dr. Mike left me at the mercy
of indiscreet and drunk men. Making things worse, the high-society women avoided me. They looked
at me whispering to each another in the corners as I passed by. Then, a white man who had stood
looking at me since I arrived, realizing that I was alone, approached, speaking clean and nostalgic
French.
"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Isabelle, my name is Pierre Raynaud. Would you like to dance?"
* * * * *
Isabelle looked at the Frenchman and saw his bright and pleading blue eyes staring at
her. In addition, the romantic music getting into her ears, his fancy way of saying hello, and the
ungraceful attitude of Dr. Mike opened her heart, broke the ice and led her to say okay. Then, they
started a good, slow and romantic cheek-to-cheek dance, sliding across the ballroom and swaying to