Chapter 22 Summary

Seeing the painted wall as he drives up tells Malcolm why Khodadad Building sounded familiar. The artist crumbles when he learns his work will be destroyed and is unable to summon the strength that earlier had allowed him cheerfully to move on when rousted. The neem tree in the compound must be removed. The marchers bound for the municipal office turn noisily into the lane, wearing their work clothes, bearing their work implements (allowed after a police attempt to forbid them carrying potential weapons), and voicing both clever chants and hackneyed slogans. The column halts before the wall and chants, "Will not do!"

Malcolm and his crew line up at the curb. All work ends in the neighborhood. A march leader declares they will stop at this sacred wall to pray for blessings on their future endeavors. Marchers queued up before favorite deities...