"Uskut, ya ibn kelb!²¹ You dirty son of a bitch! Over." Jamus is warming up. After all, he completed his studies in Egypt with dis-tinction.

The Egyptian feels that such simple insults are beneath him and searches for something special, something that cannot be answered. "When I find out which of your mother’s ninety-nine lovers is your father, only then would I answer you, you Akrut,²² you pimp - Over."

If he thought that he would be able to end the discussion with this respectable formulation, then he made a serious mistake. Jamus scratched his head and was soon ready to cap that one.

"For sure your mother sleeps with men on credit, you ass. Over."

This nasty insult annoyed the Egyptian. "Get your sister ready for when we conquer Tel Aviv. Over."

Jamus laughs out loud into the microphone. This boastfulness of the besieged Egyptian is really too cheeky. "The whole Egyptian fleet can’t pull your mustache out of my behind, you bastard. Over."

This delicate reference to his desperate situation really stung the Egyptian. "You son of a bitch. Tomorrow we will drown the lot of you in the sea of shit you came from. Over."

The ether crackles. Atmospheric disturbances. This damned rain. Jamus presses the headphones firmly against his ears. "Hello, Egyptian. I can only hear you faintly. Repeat your words, you cesspit. Over."

A moment’s silence. The Egyptian is probably realigning his antenna.

"I will be glad to shit into both your ears, you syphilitic Jew. Over." The voice is clearer again.

"What is all this filth in your mouth? Is that all you get to eat over there, eh, Ahmed?"

"My name is Ibrahim, you Jewish son of a bitch. Over."

"Welcome, castrated Ibrahim. Over."

This time the Arab is really upset. "Your father is castrated. I already have three children and two wives in Tanta, curse you. Over."

Jamus considers for a split second. His face is glowing red, and his eyes are sparkling with pleasure. It is a long time since he had such an interesting conversation. "If God wills, you will find three more waiting for you when you get back. Over."

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