Yasmina’s coworkers at the motel go out on strike, led by a woman named Fatouma Konaré, but as Yasmina has no husband to provide for her, she feels she must remain on the job. The teachers at Doria’s school also go on strike, after the principal, M. Loiseau, gets mugged in the hallway. Doria feels that what happened to M. Loiseau is wrong, but also thinks that it would be nice if the science teacher put as much energy into teaching her classes as she does into protesting conditions.

When the social worker, Mme. Du, pays a visit, Doria feels she has come by largely to show off and feel superior. Yasmina responds more warmly, gossiping about Mme. Du’s recent wedding and telling her about the strike at the motel. Mme. Du suggests that Yasmina take adult-literacy courses as a step toward finding a better job. Mme. Du also gives Doria a coupon for free books, but Doria takes this as an insult, proof that she is an object of pity.

Later, Aunt Zohra calls with the news that