Summary

Cohen the Narrator runs down what he knows about glass at the start of "10/18." First, he knows that the most effective treatments cause glass to muddle with age. Facts also "protect and deflect" until the imagination becomes muddled too (557). He also knows that glass panes are measured in generations, but there is no standardized scale.

He then finds himself on the wrong side of the Danube where intersecting streets are numbered, not named. He tries to find Yasir's place of work and recall his face. He can only remember the blemish he saw in the photo of Yasir. He concocts several explanations in his head as to why Yasir has this blemish.

Cohen the Narrator makes it to the glass company and watches some of the Arab workers go to pray. However, they take out their pdas and flip phones to find a...