22 THE demolision

HADIZAT “What are you doing here?” he demanded. “You’re not the supervisor, are you?” I asked hoping he would say no, even though I already knew what the answer was. “You don’t live here, do you?” he asked too, I knew he also knew what the answer was. He turned away and cursed beneath his breath. I stood there not really knowing what to do or say next. “We need a little time to get ready and pack our things and leave. Can you give us just a day please?” I pleaded. “The notice was placed weeks ago, wasn’t that time enough? I can’t give one more day. Two hours,” he said firmly. “What about the compensation, we have nowhere to go,” I looked directly at his face, but he turned away and stared elsewhere. “That has nothing to do with us. We are a construction company and we assume the government already settled things with the residents,” he turned and looked at me, “and besides you have somewhere to stay. There is enough room for you at the mansion, you don’t