Invitation to a Beheading

The next morning, Rodrig visits Cincinnatus’s cell with an announcement. Rather than revealing the time and date of Cincinnatus’s execution, however, he reveals that the other prisoner is ready to enter the prison. Cincinnatus has also been granted permission to meet with his wife, Marthe. Cincinnatus feels as though the world is bulging and rippling around him, “like reflections in disturbed water” (57). He snaps out of his confusion when Rodrig chides him. Cincinnatus asks when he will be allowed to meet Marthe. Rodrig misunderstands the question and begins to talk about the other prisoner, who Cincinnatus will be allowed to meet even though he has been “behaving badly.”

Rodrig leads Cincinnatus to the door of the cell where the new prisoner is being held. He encourages Cincinnatus to look through the peephole. Inside is “a beardless little fat man” sitting at a table (59). Rodion takes Cincinnatus back to his own cell while Rodrig stays outside the cell of the new prisoner. Behind him, the guards are lining up to take a look at the new arrival. In his own cell, Cincinnatus is concerned about his meeting with Marthe. He does not know what he can possibly say to her, as he knows that he will continue loving her “in spite of everything” (60).