Oh-ho... I can see a scenario occurring...
In a shadowy mud-brick alcove, curved with a sharp delineation against the eye-stinging brightness beating down upon the dusty street in the centre of Beirut, stands a figure in petticoated 1950s-style nurse's uniform, pleated surgical mask drawn closely around the face. A name tag upon the bib of the uniform declares "Nurse Masters".
A slight figure, bent, wizened, bearing a large empty basket upon her arm, comes shuffling down the brown dirt street. Her almost bare scalp is enlivened by a few grey strands of hair, and below the narrow wrinkled forehead the eyes are sunken and full of resignation.
"Nurse," says the old woman, "I have heard that one may obtain vegetables from you. I have walked many weary miles to find you, with hope fading every moment, for so many sellers have turned me away and told me that there is nothing left. They have cursed me to my face, spat at me, mocked my hunger and the hunger of my son and his wife and the little ones. Therefore, I beseech you, please tell me swiftly - have you any vegetables which I may purchase?"
Nurse Masters comes slightly forward, and her eyes crinkle with good humour and kindness. "Grandmother" - a courtesy title - "Grandmother, I am happy to be of assistance to you. Please, do take this seat" - she gestures towards a beautifully embroidered seat set against the wall of the alcove - "and rest for a while. Are you thirsty? Allow me to give you a glass of this sherbert, flavoured with hibiscus and pomegranate. I am alarmed to hear that you have had to walk so far; I will arrange for a caravan to take you back to your village, together with all the vegetables that you could wish."
The old woman collapses onto the seat, more in surprise than as a result of her weariness. She is a strong woman, and although she is exhausted, she would walk another 100 miles if need be. She looks up, her eyes full of surprise and some wariness.
"Thank you for your courtesy, Nurse." She takes the elaborately chased glass of sherbet and sips delicately. Her face lights up in approval. "Delicious. It is many years since I have had tasted so fine a sherbet. Now... I am relieved by your answer. What do you charge for the vegetables?" she says. "Are they fresh? What manner of vegetables are they?"
The Nurse raises a cloth from a large ice-cooled chest, and there to be seen is all manner of vegetables... white eggplant tender with its soft creamy colour, tomatoes ripe almost to bursting, purple carrots dug fresh that morning, radishes, mangosteen, softly frilled cress - all of it crisp and fresh. The old woman is overjoyed, and engages in the age-old practice of bargaining. Finally a mutually agreeable price is reached, and the old woman pays for her goods.
"One moment," says Nurse Masters, raising a single finger. She continues, "I shall give you booster vaccinations while you are here, as well as bind your foot where I see a nasty blister is forming. I shall also change your dressing" - she hands over a large jar of traditional Persian salad dressing" - and I will check your blood pressure and temperature before you go."
The old woman is overwhelmed. "Where else in the world shall I find such service?" she muses...
