The Vengeful Djinn: Unveiling the Hidden Agenda of Genies by Philip J. Imbrogno, Rosemary Ellen Guiley Read Free Book Online Page B

instructions on behavior and social protocol in
the Arab world, especially in the presence of royalty. The instructions for proper behavior made me feel like I was back in medieval
times. In a strict serious voice, he told me, "We must arrive before
His Highness. When he enters the room, if you are sitting, you
must stand. If you are talking, be silent. If you have a drink in
your hand, set it down. If you have a cigarette, put it out at once.
Most importantly, do not walk up and introduce yourself. You
must wait for His Highness to come to you."
    Those were just the instructions for the cocktail party-there
were more concerning the dinner: "Do not walk over to the table
until the servant asks all present to do so. Stand by your chair and
wait for His Highness to sit first. Do not look at His Highness unless he is addressing you, and under no circumstances talk to the
prince. His Highness will make a toast, so be sure you stand and hold the wine glass with your right hand and look at His Highness
when he gives the toast. After the toast, you may say `Thank you,'
`Very nice,' or `Hear, hear.' Make sure you take one long drink and
that Prince Khalid lowers his glass before you do."

    After he had finished, I jokingly replied, "Is that all?" My advisor looked confused when I said, "Do you think after the toast I
can give him the Vulcan salute and say `Live long and prosper?"'
Of course, I was just kidding around, but my advisor didn't see the
humor in it. As we drove to the palace, I was reminded that I was
not in America-disrespect in even the slightest form was taken as
an insult.
    At the palace, I entered the hall and started to mingle. I must
have looked quite sharp in my black tie tuxedo-many foreign dignitaries whose names I couldn't remember thought I was an ambassador for some western country!
    One of the servants called us into the main dining room. All
the guests, including myself, stood around a large table. My position was second from the right of the head of table and I was
quite excited to think I was going to sit next to the prince. At that
moment, another servant walked in and said that Prince Khalid
had been called away on urgent business, and he apologized to all
his guests. However, the prince's cousin was to take his place and
would settle all business in His Highness's name after dinner. The
cousin entered the room with two large bodyguards, and everyone
bowed. He sat in his chair and everyone did the same. I was thankful there was no toast and that dinner was served promptly.
    The royal cousin looked to be about thirty-five years old. The
other guests addressed him as "Excellency" so I assumed he was a
minister in the Saudi government. My friend Jack was sitting next
to me on the left and he whispered that it would all right to ask a
question. Before I could open my mouth, his Excellency looked
at me and asked if I was an American, and why I was visiting his
country. I replied that I was interested in learning more about the djinn. When His Excellency heard the word djinn, his expression changed from neutral to one of concern and excitement. He seemed surprised to hear the word djinn come from a westerner, and it seemed to catch his interest! "The djinn!" He said the word so loudly, the entire table went silent and everyone looked in his direction. "I will tell you about them. They are very real and live in my country." The story he proceeded to tell me is unverified, but His Excellency seemed very serious; I believe it is the truth. I will relate the story to the best of my memory.

    To CATCH A DJINN
    His Excellency said that a special unit in the United States military had been trying to capture a djinni for many years. His government would allow military and scientific missions into certain parts of the desert where djinn are known to enter our world. He said that the United States was after a technological device that allowed djinn to pass through solid walls and through