Summary

Chapter 1 opens in the modern-day United States. Ismail Smile is a traveling salesman for a pharmaceutical company called Smile Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The successful company is owned by Ismail’s cousin, Dr. R. K. Smile. Dr. Smile employs Ismail solely out of pity and familial loyalty. Ismail is about 70 years old and loves to watch television. He was born in India. Recently, he has fallen in love with Miss Salma R, a famous Indian-American actress and daytime television host. Ismail has decided to change his name to Quichotte—after the literary character Don Quixote—as Ismail has decided to go on a quest to win Salma’s love. In an upwelling of (apparently delusional) passion, Quichotte believes that he and Salma are destined to fall in love with each other. Quichotte has had no fixed residence for years. At about the time that Quichotte decides...