Midnight Robber

Carnival Season begins. Antonio asks Tan-Tan if he can take her to the Children’s Masquerade, but she refuses. Ione brings Tan-Tan to the “fight yard to watch the practice” (34) for the Jour Ouvert morning duels. While dressing Tan-Tan, Nursie talks about her days as a stick fight dancer and the other fighters who practiced capoeira. The pedicab runner gives Ione a message from Obi-Be that predicts the upcoming action.

They pass Carnival preparations, like secret construction sites for floats and costumes, and through the gates to the fighting practice grounds. Tan-Tan sees the dance patterns of the stick fighters and thinks they will hurt each other, but Ione assures her it is all a “pappyshow,” a performance that isn’t “real” (41).

Quashee is among the machete fighters and yelled at for cheating. Antonio reveals he was fighting nearby, disguised by his helmet. He challenges Quashee to a duel; Quashee accepts. Tan-Tan runs to Antonio, who promises her and Ione he will come home after beating Quashee. Ione assures Tan-Tan that the duel is not to the death and will end when one competitor is hurt too badly to continue or asks to stop.