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Herbert, you are… unhurt. Saved by the color of your skin.

Faraj to Herbert in his dying breath

Faraj was a friend of Professor Thurston A. Herbert and a major character in the short story "Old Friends", from the Remember short story collection.

Information[]

Not much is known about him, but according to his appearance in Remember, during 1839 he lived in Algeria together with his nephew Baki. At some point, he came into possession of Johann Weyer's map of the Tomb of Tin Hinan, suggesting that Faraj and Johann knew each other.[speculation]

Events of Old Friends[]

In early May, 1839, Faraj’s old friend Thurston Herbert visited Algiers to make the final preparations for his expedition to the Tomb of Tin Hinan.[3] Herbert and Faraj made arrangements to meet near a mosque inside the Casbah portion of the city, however, Herbert was delayed by his unfamiliarity with the unpredictable streets.[4] Despite this, Herbert eventually made his way to Faraj and the two exchanged warm greetings and began to catch up with each other.[5]

Faraj then led Herbert back to his house, where he offered him tea and Turkish delights, although he cautioned his friend from eating too many rose-flavoured delights due to their amnesiac effects.[6] Faraj then expressed some doubt regarding bith the chances of Herbert’s success as well as his grasp of the seriousness of the situation, but Herbert managed to reassure him.[7] The two men then discussed the possibilities of what lay beyond Earth, including religious implications, with Faraj expressing excitement at the idea that God was in actuality one of the “travelers”.[8]

The two men then got down to business. Faraj produced Johann Weyer’s map to the Tin Hinan Tomb, and specified the exact route to Herbert.[9] Later that evening, a rebel uprising against the French colonial forces was triggered in the city. Faraj's nephew and one of the rebels, Baki, took refuge inside Faraj’s home along with some companions.[10]

When Baki saw Herbert, he admonished his uncle for fraternizing with a European and took him hostage to try and bargain with the French soldiers, with Faraj begging him to release Herbert.[11] Baki and his rebel comrades then exited the house with Herbert held at knifepoint, trying to bargain with Captain Ambroise to let them go, but the Frenchman ignored their hostage and ordered his men to ready their weapons.[12] Faraj tried to defuse the situation but he, Baki, and the other rebels were shot by the Captain and his men.[12] Baki and the others were presumably killed immediately, but Faraj lingered for a few moments, during which an unhurt Herbert comforted him as he died.[13] Fortunately, Herbert managed to escape to the luxurious hotel where he and Daniel were staying.

Quotes[]

  • « “Careful with the rose flavored ones, they are said to ease your mind, but also make you forget things.” »

Flashbacks[]

(Triggered when entering the Control Room )

Daniel
"Herbert, how did we find this place?"
Herbert
"An old friend back in Algiers gave me a map."
Daniel
"Why isn’t he with us? Didn’t he want to come?"
Herbert
"He wanted to Daniel. But things don’t always turn out the way we plan."
Herbert and Daniel discussing Faraj.

Footnotes[]

  1. Algeria was a French colony from 1830–1848, and a full part of France proper 1848–1962, hence the use of the French tricolor flag to refer to Algerians of this time-period.

References[]

  1. Remember: "Old Friends" – “Herbert and the expedition left the next morning, heading off into the Algerian desert.”
  2. Remember: "Old Friends"
  3. Remember: "Old Friends" – “It was no place for tourists, but Herbert had important business which could not be solved elsewhere.”
  4. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘I made good time,’ said Herbert looking at his gold watch. ‘Oh, really did you?’ laughed Faraj. ‘Yes, look, not even six o’clock.’ Faraj stopped and looked at the wind-up pocket watch. He turned the screw connected to the spring and tapped at the glass. The arms started turning again. Faraj set the clock to show the right time. ‘There you go, my friend.’ ‘Oh,’ said Herbert disappointed, ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘Don’t worry. Did you have trouble finding the mosque?’ ‘It was a splendid idea to find each other by looking for the minaret tower. But the streets are so unpredictable. As soon as I thought I had arrived, the street would go off in a different direction. It took me quite some time to find a way leading all the way to the mosque.’ ‘Sounds a lot like the Casbah,’ said Faraj and laughed.”
  5. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘Faraj,’ said a pleased voice from behind him. ‘Herbert!’ Faraj hugged his friend. They stood there for moment clapping backs brotherly. ‘So many years, my friend, so many years,’ said Faraj. ‘I’m so happy to see you again. But this is not the place for pleasantries. Do you have somewhere we can go?’ asked Herbert. ‘Of course, follow me.’ They made their way towards the harbor and took an abrupt turn into an even narrower alleyway.”
  6. Remember: "Old Friends" – “Faraj poured Herbert some tea and sat down on the pillowed seat. Herbert looked awkward sitting on the floor. Faraj snickered at his attempts at keeping a straight back. ‘I’m glad my troubles entertain you. Posture is important, you know?’ labored Herbert. ‘You need more pillows?’ offered Faraj. ‘Thank you, I will be all right.’ Herbert glanced around the room. It was as comfortable as a drawing room, but it looked nothing like the ones found in Europe. ‘Lokum?’ Faraj held out a plate of sweets. ‘Delights! Don’t mind if I do,’ said Herbert and picked up one of the sweets. ‘I forget, you are British. Turkish Delights, am I right?’ ‘Yes, that’s what we call them.’ Herbert finished his delight and quickly went for another one. ‘Careful with the rose flavored ones, they are said to ease your mind, but also make you forget things.’ ‘I’m old – my memory is already abandoning ship,’ jested Herbert.”
  7. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘Herbert, do you really think you will be able to pull this off?’ ‘The expedition? Most certainly.’ ‘What have you told your people in London?’ asked Faraj. ‘The truth. That we are going to find the legendary tomb of Tin Hinan.’ Faraj was worried that Herbert did not fully appreciate the situation. ‘Herbert, I told you. It is bigger than that.’ ‘Faraj, don’t worry. I remember what you told me about Johann Weyer and his research. I know you think it is important.’ Faraj smiled, feeling silly that he would ever doubt his friend.”
  8. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘You realize what this means? They could all be travelers. Even God could be a concept from the beyond, brought to us by missionaries, like it was brought to the natives in the Americas. Maybe they are speaking to him, like an ordinary man. Wouldn’t you like to speak to – no with, the almighty!’ Herbert fell silent. He didn’t know how to handle religion. The Church of England had never impressed him and when he had looked beyond the borders of the kingdom, all religions became mythical. He had never found God and it concerned him. He wanted to sympathize with Faraj, but couldn’t. ‘Well,’ said Herbert, I guess we’ll find out.’”
  9. Remember: "Old Friends" – “He produced a map and splayed it on the floor in front of them. It was a printed map of the northern desert. Faraj had made extensive notes on it describing the exact route. ‘Where is all this information from?’ said Herbert pointing at the notes. ‘From here and there, but...’ Faraj turned the map over revealing the back covered in sketches and more notes. ‘... these are all from Weyer.’”
  10. Remember: "Old Friends" – “Four young men suddenly invaded Faraj’s home. Herbert and Faraj could hear them storm the entrance. ‘Uncle, you must run, they are killing everyone!’ shouted one of them from the other room. Faraj got to his feet and hurried to see what it was all about. His nephew Baki came into the room.”
  11. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘Uncle, what are you doing? He is one of them!’ ‘No, Baki. He is not like them. He is English.’ ‘He is European!’ Baki pulled a dagger and pushed Faraj out of the way. Herbert didn’t understand a word and feared for his life. ‘Baki,’ called one of the men from the other room, ‘they are coming. We must go!’ ‘Don’t hurt him, please,’ pleaded Faraj. The patrol was waiting patiently for their compatriots to lure out the rebels. Two ranks were formed, five men in front kneeling, five men in the back standing. They had their rifles ready and waited for Ambroise’s saber to come down, ordering them to shoot. The four rebels emerged from the house with a white man held as hostage.”
  12. 12.0 12.1 Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘Put your weapons away, or we kill this man,’ yelled Baki holding his knife demonstratively next to Herbert. ‘Please, don’t!’ cried Faraj from the side. ‘Ready! Aim!...’ called Ambroise to his men. The threat turned the rebels frantic, but had little time to react. The street was narrow – they were trapped. Faraj stepped out between the two sides. ‘Stop this madness!’ Ambroise let his saber fall in a swift movement. ‘Fire!’”
  13. Remember: "Old Friends" – “‘Faraj, can you hear me?’ ‘Yes, Herbert, I hear you, my friend. Are you all right?’ Herbert knew it was bad. He took Faraj’s hand and held it close to his chest. ‘Herbert, you are... unhurt,’ smiled Faraj. ‘Saved by the color of your skin.’ Herbert hung his head in shame. ‘Farewell, Faraj, my friend.’”

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