Melati, or “Mel,” imagines her mother’s death at school. Mel believes a Djinn, or spirit, is possessing her, causing her to imagine terrible things if she does not follow its instructions. At the end of class, Mel’s best friend Safiyah, or “Saf,” interrupts her, reminding Mel that they are going to the movies. Mel wants to go to a closer theater, but Saf insists on going to the Rex because a boy she likes, Jason, works at his father’s sugarcane stall across the street. Mel acquiesces, and the two get on a bus, but Mel’s seat is taken by an older Chinese woman. Mel takes a different seat, tapping her feet in threes to settle the Djinn, who conjures images of her mother’s death.

Mel stops to call her mother, and she and Mel assure each other that they are fine. Mel tells her mother that she is going to the movies with Saf, remembering how her mother was disturbed by Mel’s admission of the frightening visions the Djinn gives her. Mel and Saf get drinks and go to a record store, noting a fortuneteller on the street. Saf tells Mel about political violence happening in Kuala Lumpur between Malay and Chinese people following a Chinese victory in a recent election, but Mel is not interested in politics.