A traveling salesman tells a story in an attempt to bore his kidnappers after he is beaten, robbed, and held hostage by two hitchhikers.

An American visits an Israeli friend from his past who had recently emigrated to Maine and gotten remarried. They discuss the hostage situation in the Middle East and she reflects on where her loyalties lie.

On the intelligence of a pilgrim, Gideon the Redeemer sets off to seek out a valuable hostage in the city of Bujumbura, showing no mercy in pursuit of his goal.