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Cousin Farzad’s Wedding Soldiers show up uninvited, opening presents before it gets started, keeping silver platters for their wives. They are so happy that before confiscating the cassettes of Persian music, they let it play, even put down their rifles to dance. One cuts the cake with his knife; the icing clings to his beard as he looks the bride up and down. You would think he is her proud father if you don’t notice the bald gentleman burying his head in his folded arms, refusing to pick up the sword of jujeh kebab the lieutenant holds above him. They collect a fine of three thousand U.S. dollars from Farzad and leave for vacation on the Caspian Sea, but with true Persian hospitality, they radio their friends at the barracks with directions, so by the time more food is on the table and the people begin smiling again, the rest of the company 23 You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. arrives, parking their jeeps on the lawn, running to the door as if they are afraid, by coming too late, they’ve missed all the fun. 24 You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. ...

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