Weeks of monotony filled his life with an opposite extreme. No
longer pursued by opportunists who disguised themselves with
good intentions, his body regained strength. The government
arranged his back-pay. The mass of generation-removed
relatives ceased their dutiful visits and eventually no one came
to see the hero who had fought the longest war.
For his 50th birthday, the nursing staff organised a small
party. To make him feel at home, the festive cake has been
decorated in the form of a tropical island. Nude was visibly
moved by the occasion and yet he seemed strangely distracted.
They thought it best to leave him alone.
