Mumbai, «Maruti» on Samuel Street (M Devi Marg)
Scene 4: Hektor Maille finds Cassia buds
Cinnamomum cassia is one of the 20 ingredients of Maille-Masala, the hot spice blend of «Mission Kaki». Each ingredient that Hektor Maille finds during his research in India is reminiscent of a particular scene from the 20 different episodes of the travel adventure «Mission Kaki». Cassia buds refer to: Scene 4 in Episode 18 («On the Spice Trail in Maharashtra»).
One Day in the Life of Odette Sissay
14.35: Port-Louis, Rue de Prague, Secret Service Headquarters
Marie swung her upper body high, held the strut with her right hand and released her legs and brought them down to the floor in a leisurely and controlled movement. She felt as confident in action as she felt unsure when she had no reason to exercise. In the latter case she felt that her existence itself was pointless, her own presence a form of exaggeration – and even a slight sense of shame about it, like someone who had heaped much more onto her plate than she wanted to eat. In Odette's presence, this feeling intensified because Marie lacked the words with which she would otherwise have come over the feeling of embarrassment. So, she stood there on the floor as still as a sculpture, but one that was slightly off its axis.
Only when they kissed did Marie feel that her muscles were coming back to life. The first secretary of the Lemusan Secret Service had, however, never had the courage to seize the initiative – and so her 656 ready-to-go-muscles waited to be redeemed by Odettein. Only, Odette was in no redeemer-mood, and so there came nothing more after the kiss on the tattooed initial of her name on Marie's belly.