Every employee has their favourite torture tool to make life difficult for the Egyptian citizen, including phrases like “Come back tomorrow,” “The system is down,” “The stamp isn’t clear,” or “The cash register is closed.” However, the most brutal and effective of all these methods is “She’s with Madam Afaf,” who stands like the Aswan High Dam or a sumo wrestler, blocking any citizen who dares to submit a request.
In this book, there are three humorous stories about citizens who were tortured by bureaucracy, routine, and Madam Afaf. While the stories may seem fictional, they are—amazingly—based on 100% true events.
At the end of the book, there is a surprise for Dr. Ahmed Khaled Tawfik fans: Refaat Ismail and Maggie make an appearance in a fully comedic story (The Legend of the Tough Guy). How does Refaat Ismail transform from a doctor and university professor into a “tough guy”? This unfolds throughout the events of the story. The story was published with the prior approval of Dr. Ahmed Khaled Tawfik, may he rest in peace.

_ Dr. Tamer Ahmed