tuye

Uh, yes, yessir.

Pardon me, father, mother. I will be thankful for your blessings.

Pardon me, grandfather, grandmother. I will be thankful for your blessings.

*cough* *cough* *cough* Why's all this dust turning out white? *spit* *spit*

Have you dug something up?

No, I've dug all over, but there's nothing in here at all.

Useless! Move, I'll do it! Damn the consequences!

(Ferociously thrusts shovel in)

At first, right where the tip of the shovel struck, only a mere spurt of bubbles and slurry emerges.

But very rapidly, more and more of the spring water stowed underground breaks the surface, throwing splash after splash out on the sand, sides frothing and foaming, permeating through the grains.

The ground beneath the mayor's feet begins to give and give. The secretary, sensing something is awry, quickly pushes aside the still-befuddled mayor.

In an instant, the surging spring gushes forth, a fountain of water perfectly high and straight, busting through the entire burial site.

A curtain of water, meters tall, scatters its droplets back to the surface, where they cohere into a clear stream, crossing over the sandy hills, flowing to the town far away.

What the hell is...

Water?! There's nothing but water!

Where are they?! Where are the gemstones?!

I don't believe it—keep—keep digging, you! Go! I command you!

Mayor, that's out of the question. I'd drown if I tried.

What's that noise?!

It's the townspeople cheering.

Excuse me?

Not that I can blame you for asking. Not like their voices ever made it to your ears.

(Staring at Tuye in a daze) Why are you here?

I'm here to congratulate you, Mr. Mayor. You gotta understand, no treasure in the desert's more precious than water.

(Hopelessly wipes water off face)

Got what you wanted. You must be one happy man.

You—it was you—

(Shrugs)

You dare do me like this! Those destitute husks put you up to it, didn't they! Didn't they?!

You won't get away with this! Every last one of you, I'll make your lives a living hell!

You've got some fluster on display. How's it taste, nurturing a dream for years just for it to shatter overnight?

Okay, fine, I'll give you an out.

Didn't hesitate to go find water for your townsfolk, even if you had to damage your ancestors' graves. That's a meritorious deed if I ever heard one. You report it to the lord ameer, Mr. Mayor, and you get a transfer to wherever the hell you want.

Still, though...

Still, no matter how rich your town, no matter how much dignity you scrounge up, you'll be nothing but a bloodsucking tick your whole life!

I've already sent a letter out, for your commendation and recommendation. Lord ameer's envoy should be here in less than a month.

You still wanna get out of here, I say you seize the opportunity, treat your townsfolk well, and turn your reputation around, fast.

It's your very last chance.

You... you...

Not gonna get your mayor outta here, Mr. Secretary? Look at how dumbstruck he is.

We're out, Nazir. We've done everything we need to.

Tuye...

Nazir? You wanna keep up with me or not?

Look, Tuye. A rainbow. There's a rainbow in the sunshine.