Internment

At the Mess, Layla at her assigned table notes the Red Cross observers and the press corps watching the meal’s smooth operations. When her table number is called, however, no one moves. In a loud voice, Soheil stands and speaks, “We’re protesting the illegality of Mobius. We’re protesting the violation of the civil rights of the Muslim community. We want the world to know that there are internees who have been tortured and disappeared. Here. On American soil. We are being held without cause or trial” (243).

The Director, raging over this insubordination and forgetting the observers, punches Soheil viciously in the mouth. The Mess erupts in chaos. To control the crowd, fire alarms are tripped and the sprinklers go off. That only increases the confusion. As Layla stumbles outside, emergency vehicles pull up and helicopters descend. From the chaos, Jake emerges and steers Layla back to her trailer. When her parents finally return, they lecture Layla about such foolish antics, calling the protest irresponsible and futile. They literally turn their backs on her, giving her the cold shoulder: “I wish I could make my parents understand, persuade them to speak up, act out” (252).

The next day, in an unscheduled morning camp assembly, the Director announces new stringent rules to better control the camp.