Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

21. Sanem's mess up

Ihsan walks down the sidestreet towards the teashop with purpose. He had his plan of action, it was time to implement it. "Hello everyone," he grins at the men with still longer faces than before. "Why are you all sitting around here?" he asks, sitting in an open chair in the middle.

"Hello Ihsan." "Welcome son." "Hi Ihsan." They mumble at the same time and look down at their glasses.

"Thanks guys." He stops smiling and looks at them all before frowning. "What's with the faces? It's such a nice day out."

"Yes but inside it's not. Our wives won't even cook anymore."

"Yes, they're ignoring our rumbling hungers, Ihsan."

"Oh I understand," Ihsan nods knowingly, "your wives are spending all of their time in that library, right?"

"Yes."

"That's right."

"Exactly."

"I'm so sorry to hear that my friends," Ihsan shakes his head. "Let me do something for you, what do you say?" He turns his head just as Nihat comes out of the store. "Rahmi, bring them all more tea and toasted sandwiches on me." The group of men mutter and thank him eagerly.

"Bless you Ihsan."

Well I'll be... "Wait Rahmi, uncle Nihat is over there, get him tea and toast too."

"No, no Ihsan," Nihat steps down into the street and walks over. "It's not needed Rahmi, thank you. Hello everyone," he greets the other men.
They greet him in return and he puts his hands behind his back, wondering what they were all gathered for.

"Our strength as men isn't dead yet," Ihsan shakes his head then looks at the men's faces. "Not dead, but most definitely tormented...you actually look dead I swear," he eyes Mr Athet. "Oh you're fine," he sighs in relief when the older man looks up from his tea, moving for the first time. "If Rahmi sold anything else I would have bought it, tea and toast isn't the answer." They all shrug. "Goodness," he shakes his head at their tones. "How long is this wallow going to last?"

"Until the books run out and our wives can come back home."

"What?" Ihsan stares at Mr Tunez. "You can't wait for that, it's a library with revolving checkout cards. If you wait around for that we'll have your funeral here at the teashop. Cause of death idleness and hunger...Look, no offense, gentlemen, but why do you even need women who would rather read than cook? Ah, thank you Rahmi," Ihsan takes his tea from Rahmi and sips. "Uncle Nihat," he stands up, "do not be offended but what aunt Mevkhibe - our beloved chairwoman - what she's done, is wrong. Look at these poor souls, look at the state of them. They're not even wearing ironed shirts...their pants are wrinkled and their shoes dirty... No, is this how you all want to live?" He asks the group, turning to them.

How can I not be offended by that?

"If you're happy with it, I'll say no more," Ihsan holds his hand up in surrender.

"We're not."

"No."

"The library needs to close."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

What? Nihat frowns at the group of slowly riling up men as they jump up, Ihsan urging them on in the middle.

"Let's go! We'll make them close it - "

"Wait!" Nihat bellows and steps into their way, his arms up. "Stay right where you are!" They stop and he keeps going. "Friends, these women think that we need them! If we go over there now they're going to keep thinking that!"