Caravan of Delight

The caravan of delight stops off an oasis, while the camels are released from their harnesses. They are led to drink from the pool of milk that fills the shallow desert basin. Up the banks, the conductor pulls a ivory comb and an opium pipe from the silk pocket of his overcoat, as he sits at the base of a tall palm tree. He lights the pipe with a match from a fresh box of matches, takes a few long draws, and stretches his neck. He sits for a minute, combing his mustache, before pulling a knife from a sheath looped to his belt. Turning to face the tree, and with a firm grasp on the knife, he pulls it slowly down the surface of the palm tree, shaving a sliver of marzipan from its side. He eats it, looks up at the red moon in the purple sky, and sighs.