Mahmoud took a seat near the back of the bus.

“Muslim scum!”

He turned, seeking the source of the insult: a shaven-headed youth.

Mahmoud smiled. “Hello there, Jonathan! How’s the appendix scar healing?”

The lad, suddenly scarlet, looked aghast.

Mahmoud’s hospital pager vibrated. No rest for the wicked, he thought.

Jason Lennick is a word and image wrangler from England, currently residing in Denmark. He’s 100% organic and now completely gluten-free. Please check out his blog.